Dramatic shifts in worker expectations are fundamentally reshaping the workplace's value and purpose. Today’s workforce demands diverse spaces for collaboration, focus, virtual meetings, and in-person social events. They seek easy access to amenities like childcare, transit, and community spaces. Connecting to a greater purpose, such as sustainability, is crucial to attracting and retaining top talent. Work has evolved; the workplace should evolve too.

Recognizing this evolving landscape, Marriott partnered with Gensler to create an appealing destination for top talent and reflect their core values of “put people first and embrace change.” We developed a design strategy blending the hospitality Marriott is known for with modern workplace features in the bustling center of Bethesda. The new campus includes a variety of shared spaces and amenities that promote collaboration — from a coworking area to a test kitchen to a public café. An attached 12-story hotel acts as a hospitality lab, enabling Marriott to beta-test new room types. The LEED Gold certified building, using sustainable materials, reflects employee values.

Marriott’s new headquarters is a physical manifestation of the future of work — embodying how the workplace must adapt to meet new challenges and expectations. As a result, it has become a draw for new talent and a cultural touchstone within Marriott’s global workforce. With its hospitality-inspired design and community-connected location, workers have access to the kind of atmosphere and social connection that drives the work it does every day. The campus also contributes to Bethesda’s transformation into a vibrant live–work–play destination, stimulating growth for local businesses.