Baker Hughes Transitions to Modern Hybrid Work Headquarters in Houston’s Energy Corridor
Baker Hughes, a prominent energy company, recently made a significant move by relocating hundreds of its Houston-area employees to a newly refurbished corporate headquarters in the heart of the Energy Corridor. This move marks the latest addition to the growing trend of companies opting for more compact, contemporary office spaces tailored for hybrid work setups.
The company officially opened the doors to its brand-new 130,000-square-foot headquarters, located at 575 N. Dairy Ashford, approximately 17 miles to the west of downtown Houston. By centralizing its operations, Baker Hughes is streamlining its previous presence across four different offices in northern Houston and Spring Branch. This consolidation represents a remarkable 50% reduction in the company’s office space requirements within the Houston area.
Baker Hughes executives have pointed out several key advantages to this downsizing approach. First and foremost, it will contribute to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, aligning with the company’s commitment to environmental sustainability. Furthermore, the more condensed office space is expected to foster improved collaboration among employees. Lastly, the new location in the Energy Corridor provides better proximity to amenities and facilitates stronger connections with other energy sector businesses.
According to the compnay’s press release, collaborative features of the new headquarters include:
- Hybrid experience rooms with advanced camera and technology capabilities that enhance online meetings
- 25+ open collaboration spaces for team huddles, working sessions and brainstorming
- 40+ meeting rooms, including multiple hybrid experience meeting rooms and a creative thinking room
- 12+ community spaces for brief individual work or one-to-one conversations
The new headquarters also provides amenities for employees that include:
- Nursing mother’s suites
- Prayer and meditation rooms
- Tech- and food-free quiet zones to recharge
- Sustainability features such as eight EV parking stations and bicycle parking; furniture made from recycled materials; and LED lights control system
This strategic move involves the company taking residence in a 12-story building, encompassing approximately 306,000 square feet, owned by American Realty Advisors. It reflects a broader trend of robust office leasing activity in the west Houston area over the past couple of years. Recent data from real estate firm Avison Young reveals that the Katy Freeway West/Energy Corridor regions have secured nearly 26% of all office leases exceeding 10,000 square feet in the Houston region so far this year, underscoring the region’s growing prominence as a hub for corporate activities.
“I wouldn’t limit the Energy Corridor’s recent success to a trend. The Energy Corridor has been a top destination nationally in this post-COVID flexible work environment,” Elijah J. Williams, executive director of the Energy Corridor District, said in a statement.
