As brokers continue to navigate the evolving post-pandemic landscape, one question persists: How do you get agents to return to the office—and want to be there? This was one of Founder and CEO Jill Butler’s main considerations as she relocated RedKey Realty Leaders’ flagship office to a newly renovated space in Clayton, Mo.
Butler saw the opportunity as a chance to redefine what a real estate office could be. The new space features collaborative work areas, social pods and a striking mezzanine level, all designed to foster synergy, creativity and connection among agents.
The office opening was timed with the company’s 13th anniversary to mark a new chapter for the brokerage, which has grown into the largest independent real estate firm in the St. Louis region.
In a Q&A with REALTOR® Magazine, Butler shares how intention, design and culture came together to create an office environment that energizes her team and attracts agents back in—offering valuable takeaways for brokers looking to do the same.
Q: How do you encourage brokers to foster more in-person engagement?
A: We tell our agents to build face-to-face relationships with clients. We need to model that too. That means calling agents, inviting them to coffee, personally asking them to attend a class. It takes effort to build community, but it’s worth it.
Q: How did the grand opening of your newly renovated office go?
A: We had hundreds of attendees—our agents, clients and even other brokers in town. It became a fantastic industry event. Really fun, high energy.
Q: You decided to go all out for this launch. Why was it important to you to make such a big splash?
A: Post-COVID, getting people back into the office was a challenge. But I believe in-person interaction still matters. When people are together, ideas flow. I wanted to create a space with energy—a place people actually want to be. So, we got intentional about it.
We built a mezzanine to open things up and encourage interaction. It’s kind of like a balcony, and you can see when others are here. I think that adds an element of FOMO—people want to know who’s in the office and what’s going on. We’re even next to a coffee shop and there’s a lot of energy there with people coming in and out. It really feels like we’re a part of a community here.
Q: What amenities are you offering that make agents want to be there?
A: The space has everything: couches, cubicles, private offices and conference rooms. There’s even an outdoor patio with a separate entrance so agents can work outside. There’s also a lot of natural light because we’re in a vertical, two-story building with all windows. We also take advantage of the building’s shared amenities—like a gym and large training rooms—so we can scale up or down as needed. It’s a flexible setup.
Q: What kinds of events or offerings are bringing agents back in?
A: We do a lot of training: sales meetings and tech trainings, and we’re doing those here in the office. I love “masterminds,” [which are coaching sessions that] group agents by production level and meet monthly to share ideas. That peer-to-peer coaching is so valuable. Real estate is a relationship business, and when you’re remote, you miss those spontaneous, unintentional conversations that spark new ideas.
Q: How are agents using the office outside of day-to-day work?
A: They use it for client events and even birthday parties. One of our other offices used to be a restaurant, and we kept the fireplace, bar and patio there. It’s about creating a space that feels like a community hub.
Q: What feedback have you gotten from agents since the opening?
A: They love it. I’m definitely seeing more people in the office. Our old office was all one level and spread out, so you never knew who was there. This new vertical space creates more visibility and energy—it makes people want to show up.
Q: For brokers considering a new space or renovation, what tips would you offer?
A: You want to create the right vibe. It doesn’t have to be expensive, but it should be an inviting space. Look for open space that is multipurpose. You want an office that allows for events, happy hours or big meetings. Location matters too—choose somewhere with easy access and foot traffic. Being next to a coffee shop has been a huge plus for us. You don’t want to be in an office park that feels kind of dead.
We can’t just think about cost per square foot. That’s important and the reality we live in, but we also have to ask, “Would I want to be here every day?”
