December Edition
Carolina on My Mind
By Harold Hicks, CFM, MCR
President, CoreNet Global Carolinas Chapter
Designing for Community: CRE’s Role in Building the Next Generation of Carolina Workplaces
As we look ahead to a new year, one theme continues to rise above the rest for corporate real estate professionals across North and South Carolina: COMMUNITY. Whether we’re shaping campuses in Research Triangle Park, reimagining towers in Charlotte, or enabling growth in Greenville and Charleston, our work is increasingly defined by a simple but powerful mandate: Design places where people genuinely want to be.
Across the Carolinas, companies are rethinking the workplace not just as an operational necessity, but as a strategic tool for connection, culture, and wellbeing. And corporate real estate sits at the center of this evolution.
The Hospitality Mindset Comes Home to the Office
One of the most striking trends across our region is the infusion of hospitality principles into workplace strategy. Leaders are realizing that if we expect employees to commute in, collaborate, and innovate, then workplaces must be designed with intention, warmth, and service at their core.
Buildings are beginning to feel more like boutique hotels or well-run campuses—welcoming entry sequences, amenity-rich common areas, curated food and beverage experiences, and concierge-style services that make the workday smoother. This is not about luxury; it's about human experience. It’s about signaling that people matter.
In the Carolinas, where hospitality is part of our cultural DNA this shift feels natural. We know how to create environments that feel inviting, and our CRE community is leading the way.
Sustainability as a Shared Commitment
Alongside hospitality, the Carolinas are demonstrating that sustainability is not a coastal or urban trend, it is a regional imperative. Corporate campuses across NC and SC are integrating solar, exploring electrification, upgrading building systems, and designing for long-term resilience. Many organizations are still viewing decarbonization as not just the right thing to do, but a competitive advantage for talent and brand.
What’s remarkable is how sustainability efforts are becoming community-building tools themselves. Whether it’s a solar installation that sparks employee pride or green spaces that bring people together, environmental stewardship continues to emerge as a foundation for workplace identity.
Rebuilding Community Through Place
The most profound shift we’re seeing is the recognition that the workplace must function as a community anchor. After years of distributed work, companies are no longer asking “How do we get people back?” but “How do we create environments worth coming back to?”
The Carolinas are pioneering answers. We’re seeing:
- Community-focused floorplans that prioritize gathering spaces over isolated desks
- Neighborhood-based planning that brings teams together intentionally
- Multipurpose hubs that support learning, collaboration, and celebration
- Outdoor environments that take advantage of our climate and natural beauty
- Partnerships with local food, art, and service providers that strengthen regional identity
Workplaces are becoming cultural centers, innovation hubs, and talent magnets that embody the spirit of the Carolinas themselves.
The CRE Community’s Call to Action
As CRE professionals, we are no longer just delivering projects, we are shaping the future of how organizations connect, collaborate, and grow. The next generation of Carolina workplaces will be those that combine:
- The warmth and intentionality of hospitality
- The long-term stewardship of sustainability
- The human-centered vibrancy of community
THIS IS OUR MOMENT TO LEAD!
In a region defined by innovation, inclusivity, and genuine southern welcome, we have everything we need to build workplaces that not only perform but inspire!
Let’s continue to deliver places and spaces that bring people together, strengthen our organizations, and celebrate what makes the Carolinas extraordinary.
COMMUNITY starts with us!
With gratitude and purpose,
Harold Hicks
President, CoreNet Carolinas Chapter