How Fitwel Certification Supports Tenant Retention and Asset Value

When you think about what makes a building desirable today, it’s not just about square footage or location anymore. Tenants are looking for something more. Spaces that feel good to be in, that support their health and wellbeing, and that align with their company’s sustainability values. That’s where Fitwel comes in.

Background and Purpose

John: Joanna, tell us a bit about your background and Fitwel’s focus on tenant health and asset value.

Joanna: I’ve spent my career at the intersection of real estate, sustainability, and health, focused on translating data and research into practical solutions that optimize buildings for both people and financial performance.

Fitwel translates cutting-edge public health and economic research into a scalable, practical global certification standard, empowering real estate professionals to benchmark performance, enhance occupant quality of life, and optimize asset value across both existing and new properties.

Our work responds directly to tenant demand for health by ensuring spaces support physical, mental, and social well-being. When you invest in health-focused building strategies you’re not just doing good for people, you’re improving your bottom line. Fitwel-certified buildings see higher tenant satisfaction, better occupancy, and stronger long-term returns. In today’s market, that focus on wellness has become a true competitive edge.

Why Certify?

John: What kind of competitive edge are you typically seeing? Do Fitwel-certified spaces act as differentiators in a leasing market?

Joanna: Think about what tenants want today, especially as companies work to bring people back to the office. Employees care deeply about indoor air quality, access to daylight, healthy food options, and even walkability. When a landlord can show that a building meets those expectations, it sends a clear message: this space was designed for you.

Research backs this up. A Cambridge University study found that Fitwel-certified buildings transact for about 4.6% to 4.8% higher per square foot than their non-certified peers. Certification isn’t just about recognition; it’s a smart investment in marketability and long-term value.

Tenant Feedback

John: Hearing about studies determining transactional value is nice, but what kind of feedback have you seen from tenants when these wellness features are put into place?

Joanna: Tenants consistently respond positively when health and wellbeing features are integrated into their spaces. Improved air quality, natural light, access to green spaces, and amenities that support physical and mental well-being are increasingly expected.

Today, demand for healthy spaces is driven by employees and residents seeking environments that support their well-being. Buildings that meet these expectations see higher satisfaction, stronger engagement, and longer tenancies. By prioritizing health, owners and operators can differentiate their assets, attract and retain tenants, and meet evolving market demand.

We’ve seen this firsthand through our work with QuadReal Property Group on the Health Drives Value in Real Estate Benchmarking Report. This research documents the measurable impact that evidence-based health and well-being strategies have on tenant satisfaction and, in turn, on financial performance. By taking a people-first, health-focused approach to portfolio analysis, the report demonstrates how prioritizing health can strengthen tenant experience, drive engagement, and support long-term asset value.

Editor’s Note: For readers interested in exploring the data behind these outcomes in more detail, Fitwel’s Benchmark Report - Health Drives Value in Real Estate offers a deeper look at how evidence-based health and wellbeing strategies impact tenant satisfaction and financial performance.

Linking Wellness to Business Value

John: Let’s talk about the business side. How can wellness strategies translate into measurable outcomes?

Joanna: Wellness strategies are increasingly recognized as direct drivers of measurable business outcomes, including tenant satisfaction, retention, and productivity. Fitwel-certified buildings provide a standardized framework to link health-promoting strategies to quantifiable metrics including Net Promoter Scores, lease renewals, and occupancy rates. Properties with higher Fitwel scores consistently report higher tenant satisfaction, greater recommendations, and stronger retention, demonstrating that prioritizing occupant health directly enhances asset value.

By benchmarking performance across portfolios, owners and operators can identify which strategies most impact occupant experience, financial performance, and ESG reporting. These investments strengthen leasing performance, accelerate sales, and future-proof assets in a market where health and quality of life are increasingly top drivers of demand. In short, wellness strategies aren’t just a value-add, they are a core business differentiator that links occupant health to tangible financial and operational results.

Getting Started

John: For organizations just getting started, what advice would you offer on integrating Fitwel with broader ESG goals?

Joanna: For organizations starting their Fitwel journey, certification should be seen as part of broader business and sustainability goals, not a standalone initiative. Begin by benchmarking existing property conditions or identifying priorities when selecting space, focusing on strategies that align with your objectives. Pairing Fitwel certification with expert consulting support, such as GreenCheck, can help translate these strategies into actionable plans and measurable outcomes.

This evidence-based approach ensures that health-promoting strategies drive tangible financial and social impact, strengthen asset value, and position your organization as a leader in responsible, people-centered real estate. Ultimately, integrating Fitwel into your broader business and sustainability strategy transforms wellness from a nice-to-have into a measurable competitive advantage.

Closing Thoughts

John: At the end of the day, building certifications like Fitwel are more than a shiny plaque. They are frameworks for better buildings and better business. As Joanna put it, focusing on wellness doesn’t just make people happier; it makes properties perform better. And with the right tools and partners, connecting those dots has never been easier.

About Joanna Frank

Joanna Frank is a real estate entrepreneur who oversees the global expansion of Fitwel, the leading people-centric healthy building certification platform. She serves as President and CEO of Active Design Advisors, Inc. (Adai)—operator of Fitwel—and of the nonprofit Center for Active Design (CfAD), organizations that advance health, value, and the built environment. Prior to launching CfAD, Ms. Frank spearheaded data-driven, health-based real estate initiatives under the Bloomberg administration, including NYC’s FRESH Program and the Active Design Initiative. She started her career in real estate development as a partner at Bright City Development, LLC, where she led sustainable mixed-use residential projects. She serves on the editorial board of Propmodo and is a member of the Urban Land Institute's Affordable/Workforce Housing Council and Fannie Mae's Multifamily Housing Taskforce. She has been featured on the Commercial Observer Power 100 list, recognized as one of GlobeSt’s Women of Influence, named among PERE’s Women of Influence in Real Estate, and included in PERE’s 100 Most Influential of the Past Decade (2016–2025).