Businesses which expend substantial resources worrying about the location and appearance of their corporate headquarters, are stealing those resources from production of their product. Nothing good follows.
I’m guessing the executives and board have voted to or will soon vote to give themselves substantial “cost of living” increases due to the additional cost of Chicago vs Peoria. Glad I don’t own any ‘cat stock. These guys are ‘effin up by the numbers. If this is their idea of a well-timed and well-reasoned business move, the company is doomed.
The defense is always about image: “Our corporate headquarters is the face the public sees. It has to be impressive to communicate an image of strength and prosperity.” Either that or “We have to be able to offer some top-notch perks if we’re going to attract top-notch talent.”
To the first, I’d say “Bosh.” Nobody cares if you have a $2 million Dale Chihuly sculture in your lobby. It’s an office building, not an art museum.
To the second, I’d say that any executive who demands luxurious perks is the LAST person you want to trust with your company’s financial health. He’s a narccisist with less concern about the company than how he looks in a Brooks Bros suit. Hire people who give a hoot about the firm and its customers instead. All the perks come as the company grows and profits.