Early adopter of hybrid working relocates from San Francisco to a new, more efficient space in San Mateo
62,392 square feet
$500,000 in build-out cost savings
Making video games that are fun to play can be surprisingly hard work. Just ask Zynga, the company known for Farmville, Words with Friends and other popular video games. When Zynga had an opportunity to rethink its headquarters and workplace strategy, creating the right environment to inspire employees was a top priority.
For years, Zynga’s headquarters was in San Francisco, near technology talent and the buzz of urban living. The company was known not only for its popular products, but for its fun, creative and dog-friendly offices that naturally attracted and retained the best video game talent.
“We didn't know how much square footage we needed or what the mix of workspaces would look like. JLL helped us envision the future. We couldn't have gotten to this point without JLL.”
—Ken Stuart, VP, Real Estate & Workplace, Take-Two*
- *Zynga is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.
Uncovering Zynga’s space and location needs
To make hybrid work a formal reality, Zynga needed to protect its distinct corporate culture— known for creativity, collaboration and innovation—while embracing the positive aspects of working from home. Determining the optimal square footage and the right mix of productivity spaces for the new age of work was challenging, since Zynga lacked a methodology for predicting overcrowding or under-utilization of space.
A second, riskier, decision was location. Zynga had the option of simply renewing its current headquarters lease, but with less square footage. However, tenant-friendly market conditions meant that attractive and cost- effective space alternatives also were options.
From work to Connected Work
Today, Zynga’s headquarters serve as the literal and figurative blueprint for its new global Connected Work model being rolled out in other Zynga locations, including Austin, Toronto, Bangalore and London.
Zynga never stops asking what its players will thank them for. That question serves as the foundation of its culture. Now, Zynga can thank its employees by providing them with a workplace that inspires excellence.
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