CarGurus has recently consolidated its headquarters into a single, modern office located in Boston’s downtown, demonstrating its growth and commitment to a workspace reflecting its core values of transparency, empowerment, and innovation. The new headquarters occupies the top ten floors of a 20-story building, spanning 200,000 square feet and housing approximately 1,000 employees who were previously spread across various locations in Cambridge, Massachusetts. This relocation marks a significant milestone in CarGurus’ journey, fostering an environment ripe for collaboration and innovation.
Design and Layout Innovations
A Visionary Design Approach
Designed by IA Interior Architects, led by Managing Principal Reetika Vijay, CarGurus’ new headquarters emphasizes dynamic and collaborative environments tailored for the well-being of its employees. Vijay offered insights into the design process in an exclusive Face-to-Face interview with the Boston Real Estate Times, highlighting how the new office space caters to the workforce’s needs by focusing on creativity, inclusivity, and sustainability. Every detail of the design has been meticulously thought through to create a space that not only appeals aesthetically but also serves functionally.
The design process was rooted in comprehensive research and strategic planning, aimed at aligning the physical environment with CarGurus’ core values and mission. By incorporating elements such as open-plan layouts, multifunctional spaces, and advanced ergonomic solutions, the design enhances productivity and fosters a sense of community among employees. This visionary approach reflects an understanding of the evolving nature of workspaces and the importance of creating areas that support various work styles and preferences.
Embracing Natural Light and Panoramic Views
Located on the top ten floors of a 20-story building, the headquarters offers expansive panoramic views of the Massachusetts Turnpike and Back Bay, providing natural light and stunning vistas that significantly enhance the workplace experience. CarGurus CEO Jason Trevisan has emphasized the importance of the move, noting that the new location not only meets space requirements but also creates a dynamic work environment that reflects the company’s collaborative culture and inspires employees.
The incorporation of natural light across the headquarters is a crucial element in the design, aiming to boost mood and cognitive function among employees. Large windows and open spaces ensure that sunlight floods the work areas, creating a bright and welcoming atmosphere. The panoramic views provide a sense of connectivity with the surrounding environment, promoting a feeling of openness and freedom that supports creativity and reduces stress. This thoughtful integration of natural elements into the workplace design underscores CarGurus’ commitment to employee well-being and productivity.
Employee Wellbeing
Comfort, Inclusivity, and Flexibility
Employee wellbeing is a central theme in the headquarters design, reflecting CarGurus’ dedication to creating a supportive environment for its workforce. Each floor includes wellness spaces, single-use restrooms, and robust mothers’ suites, ensuring accessibility and convenience for all employees. Moreover, the customizable workstations allow individuals to tailor their environments to their specific needs, be it through adjusting task lighting or reconfiguring their workspace. Careful consideration of ergonomics and acoustics provides a balanced atmosphere conducive to both quiet reflection and dynamic collaboration.
The wellness spaces are designed to offer employees a place for relaxation and rejuvenation, promoting mental and physical health. Features such as comfortable seating, calming décor, and privacy ensure a reprieve from the busyness of daily tasks, allowing for focused downtime. This approach to workplace design demonstrates a holistic understanding of employee needs, recognizing the importance of flexibility, comfort, and inclusivity in fostering a productive and engaged workforce.
Fostering a Welcoming Culture
Principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion are deeply integrated into the design, reflecting CarGurus’ mission to foster a welcoming culture. The layout balances spaces for focused work and social interaction, encouraging team building and collaboration. Crafting areas that spur spontaneous creativity and new ideas is central to the overall design, ensuring that employees can engage in meaningful interactions and collaborations seamlessly.
Spaces designated for social interaction are thoughtfully interspersed throughout the headquarters to promote casual and impromptu discussions. From communal lounges to coffee stations, these areas are designed to break down barriers and encourage open communication. This purposeful design strategy underscores the importance of inclusivity and diversity, aiming to create an environment where all employees feel valued and supported, ultimately fostering a sense of belonging and unity.
Sustainable Features
LEED Gold Certification and Natural Materials
CarGurus’ headquarters is on track to achieve LEED Gold certification, highlighting its commitment to sustainability. The design maximizes the use of natural light and connects employees to nature, incorporating wood textures, natural materials, and greenery to create a calming atmosphere that balances the high-energy work environment. These elements not only enhance aesthetic appeal but also promote environmental responsibility, aligning with CarGurus’ values and mission.
Incorporating sustainable practices into the building design involves various strategies, including energy-efficient systems, sustainable materials, and waste reduction initiatives. The use of environmentally friendly fixtures and fittings, along with optimized lighting and heating solutions, reduces the building’s carbon footprint. This commitment to sustainability is not just about meeting certification requirements but reflects a broader vision of environmental stewardship and corporate responsibility.
Journey and Exploration Inspired Design
The design of the headquarters draws inspiration from the concept of an epic road trip, symbolizing journey and motion. Central built volumes evoke land masses, with a fissure leading from the elevator lobby to the floor amenity, reinforcing the idea of exploration through material choices and ceiling and flooring designs that echo the natural environment. A continuous communication stair adorned with energetic graphics connects the floors, promoting interaction across teams and fostering community.
This theme of journey and exploration is embedded in the very framework of the headquarters, influencing the layout and design choices. The use of diverse materials, organic textures, and dynamic shapes throughout the building creates an environment that feels both expansive and grounded. The communication stair serves as a physical and symbolic connector, encouraging movement and interaction between floors. By embracing this design philosophy, CarGurus’ headquarters offers a unique and inspiring workplace that reflects its innovative spirit and collaborative culture.
Collaboration and Productivity Spaces
Diverse, Engaging Spaces
The new headquarters includes a myriad of spaces aimed at enhancing collaboration, relaxation, and productivity. Features such as a game room, multiple libraries, a tech bar, a barista station, multiple training spaces, roof decks, and a multi-story reception area create a vibrant and dynamic work environment. These diverse spaces cater to various needs and preferences, allowing employees to choose the setting that best supports their work style.
The game room provides an informal area for socializing and recharging, promoting team bonding and camaraderie. Libraries offer quiet retreats for focused work or reading, while the tech bar serves as a hub for technological support and innovation. The barista station adds a touch of convenience and luxury, ensuring employees have easy access to quality refreshments. Roof decks and reception areas further enhance the office experience, offering breathtaking views and welcoming spaces that facilitate networking and relaxation.
Innovative Hubs and Social Areas
Additional features of the headquarters include a video production suite, incubation spaces for new ideas, a beer garden, balconies, and grab-and-go food pickup areas. Unique architectural finishes and graphics on each floor foster creativity and variety, ensuring that the environment remains engaging and stimulating. These areas are carefully designed to accommodate various activities, from brainstorming sessions to casual social gatherings.
The video production suite offers dedicated space for creating high-quality multimedia content, supporting CarGurus’ marketing and communication efforts. Incubation spaces are designed to nurture new ideas and projects, providing a conducive environment for innovation and experimentation. The beer garden and balconies offer relaxed settings for socializing and unwinding, promoting a healthy work-life balance. The grab-and-go food pickup area enhances convenience, ensuring employees have easy access to nutritious meals without disrupting their workflow.
Adaptation Due to COVID-19
Flexible Workspaces Strategy
The workplace strategy at CarGurus’ headquarters evolved significantly post-COVID-19, transitioning from a focus on density to creating flexible workspaces with unassigned stations. The office now serves as a vibrant collaboration hub, featuring various workpoints, shared spaces, and central social areas that encourage interaction across departments. This strategy reflects the changing dynamics of workspaces, emphasizing adaptability and collaboration over traditional fixed workstations.
Flexible workspaces are designed to cater to different work styles and preferences, providing employees with the freedom to choose where and how they work best. This flexibility is supported by advanced technology and ergonomics, ensuring that each workspace is equipped to handle diverse tasks and projects. The shift towards unassigned stations promotes a sense of ownership and autonomy, allowing employees to personalize their workspace according to their needs, fostering a productive and engaging work environment.
Future Growth and Innovation
CarGurus has recently combined its headquarters into a single, state-of-the-art office located in the heart of Boston’s downtown area. This move showcases the company’s growth and its dedication to creating a workspace that embodies its core values of transparency, empowerment, and innovation. The newly established headquarters now occupy the top ten floors of a 20-story building, which spans over 200,000 square feet. This space is designed to accommodate around 1,000 employees, who were previously distributed across various offices in Cambridge, Massachusetts. This relocation is a significant milestone in CarGurus’ journey, as it creates an environment conducive to collaboration and innovation. By bringing everyone under one roof, it aims to enhance communication, streamline operations, and cultivate a sense of community among its team members. The new headquarters will serve as a hub where cutting-edge ideas can flourish, driving the company forward as it continues to innovate within the automotive industry.
