For years, corporate location strategy was driven by a familiar checklist: cost per square foot, commute patterns, tax incentives and proximity to leadership. In many cases, the CEO’s home address was the strongest predictor of where a company would land. Since the pandemic, that has changed. Hybrid work, fierce competition for talent and shifting employee expectations have forced companies to rethink what makes a location competitive.

Traditional factors still matter – but they’re no longer enough. Today’s most forward-looking communities are investing in a different kind of infrastructure: placemaking. And for CEOs, ignoring it becomes a strategic risk.

Historically, infrastructure meant roads, utilities and transit – the systems that kept business operations running. Today, the definition has widened. Modern infrastructure now includes parks, trails, walkability, public gathering spaces and mixed-use environments that shape how people experience a place. These aren’t lifestyle perks; they influence daily employee experience, willingness to commute, perception of a workplace location and the ability to achieve work-life balance.

The executive takeaway is simple: location decisions now hinge on how a place functions for people, not just for business operations. A market with strong placemaking infrastructure makes it easier to attract talent, retain employees and create environments people want to return to.

The Link Between Physical Environment and Talent Outcomes

Talent strategy has moved to the center of location strategy. HR leaders now have a seat at the table when evaluating markets because a physical environment can directly impact recruitment, retention and engagement. Employees increasingly make decisions based on:

• Ease of movement – the ability to walk, bike or access amenities without a car
• Proximity to outdoor spaces
• Opportunities to blend work and life in one environment
• Access to experiences beyond the office

 

“Companies should highly value their employees' ability to access trails and outdoor spaces,” says Patrick Stuart, founding principal of Stuart & Associates, a land planning and landscape architecture firm that designed Recharge Park, just minutes from their office in King of Prussia. “Employees value daily quality of life and offering these outdoor amenities near the office provides a significant competitive advantage for employers.”

A Case Study in Modern Placemaking: Moore Park

Leading suburban markets are proving that placemaking isn’t just an urban advantage. Moore Park in King of Prussia illustrates how suburban business districts are redefining themselves through intentional investment in the public realm.

Once a traditional office park, Moore Park has transformed into a mixed-use environment anchored by entertainment, residential growth and public infrastructure. The First Avenue Linear Park – a multi-use trail connecting properties along the corridor – has created new mobility options and outdoor gathering spaces. This June, the King of Prussia District will open the latest amenity in Moore Park, Recharge Park, which will eventually serve as a hub for the Valley Forge Gateway Trail.

These investments have coincided with strong market performance:

• Expanding trail networks have increased connectivity
• New parks have created activated spaces for employees
• Entertainment anchors like Topgolf and Valley Forge Casino Resort have broadened appeal
• Multifamily, hotel and retail growth has reinforced a true mixed-use ecosystem

 

The result is a suburban district that functions like a destination – a place where employees can work, meet, dine, exercise and gather without leaving the area. It’s the opposite of the isolated suburban office parks of the past.

A New Lens for Executive Decision-Making

The best performing markets are those aligning infrastructure, talent needs and long-term vision. As companies rethink their footprints, the most important question is no longer simply, “Is this a good place to operate?” Rather, it’s now “Is this a place people are drawn to?” In today’s economy, companies aren’t just choosing office space – they’re choosing environments that support how people want to work and live.

Eric Goldstein is the President & CEO of King of Prussia District. Since 2011, he has championed strategic partnerships and initiatives that position King of Prussia as a vibrant, progressive community at the forefront of the suburban transformation movement.

This article originally appeared on the Philadelphia Business Journal website.