Open layouts and spaces for collaboration are basically a requirement for modern tech offices, but that doesn't mean all tech offices are created equal. Go behind the scenes and you’ll see plenty of differentiating factors, from decorative themes to salutes to clients and more. We checked in with four growing Austin tech companies and got a few deets on what makes their offices stand out.
HomeAway now has more than 2,750 employees worldwide, including over 1,700 employees across multiple offices in Austin. Mari Rylander, HomeAway’s director of global talent acquisition, filled us in on the company’s largest office located at The Domain. Soon enough, however, HomeAway is opening a new, even bigger office in a 16-story building in the neighborhood.
Location: 11800 Domain Blvd.
Headcount: 750
Floor plan: 115,000 square feet across five floors
Notable hallmarks: One of the world’s largest snow globe collections, a two-story birdhouse modeled off of HomeAway’s logo that employees reserve for meetings and happy hours, and a travel theme throughout the entire office that incorporates hundreds of employee vacation photos into wall designs.
Most popular office perks: On Fridays, the entire global team gathers over breakfast tacos or beers for Table Talks, led by HomeAway’s leadership team. This is a time for the company to celebrate milestones, preview launches, share information and hold candid conversations between leadership and employees from every area of the company. And free snacks and regular happy hours keep everyone fed and happy.
While Drake’s fourth studio album “Views” wasn’t named after Procore’s Austin office, it very well could have been. Leah Amador, the company’s workplace experience coordinator, offered a peek through the glass walls of Procore’s almost-penthouse-level office standing tall over downtown.
Location: Chase Tower, W. 6th St.
Headcount: 173
Floor plan: Two upper floors
Notable hallmarks: Located in the heart of downtown, Procore’s office features floor-to-ceiling views overlooking Lady Bird Lake and the city, with some spectacular southwest sunsets. The location has killer panoramas and is close to some of Austin’s most famous landmarks, restaurants and music venues.
Most popular office perks: Treats for days. Procore’s kitchen keeps the team powered up with Cold Brew from Tiny House Coffee and Kombucha from Buddha’s Brew. Also a fan favorite: Friday breakfast tacos. Every. Friday.
In downtown Austin and surrounded by tons of local businesses, Main Street Hub’s office pays homage to its thousands of clients from the small-business sector through its decor. Qingqing Ouyang, Main Street Hub’s SVP of engineering, said the office decorations show love through a large “Local” mural, photos of smiling clients throughout the building and their StoryTeller’s Wall, filled with postcards from Main Street Hub employees sharing their favorite local business stories.
Location: 600 Congress Ave.
Headcount: Around 300 at HQ, 600 total in Austin
Floor plan: 33,000 square feet
Notable hallmarks: An open layout that allows for the closely seated product and engineering teams to easily collaborate and communicate about projects. In addition to the StoryTeller’s Wall, Main Street Hub’s office also made a large portion of its walls doodle-friendly for impromptu design discussions, charts, lists, diagrams and other inspirations.
Most popular office perk: An in-house Houndstooth Coffee station with full-service espresso bars and onsite baristas serving up delicious, craft coffee daily to keep up the energy and the innovation.
LegalZoom’s North Austin office sits on a 49-acre campus bordered by nature trails setting the perfect scene for an afternoon recharge. LegalZoom’s senior corporate recruiter Kristy Smith told us how the office itself reflects the company’s commitment to overall employee wellness.
Location: 9900 Spectrum Dr.
Headcount: Over 600
Floor plan: 211,000 square feet
Notable hallmarks: Multiple bright, comfortable common spaces and coffee stations throughout the building, suitable for team collaboration and refueling. The office also has a hyperlocal theme, with hallways named after downtown streets for easy navigation and conference rooms labeled after popular music venues. And it’s easy to spot some familiar faces: photos of smiling Zoomers decorate the walls.
Most popular office perk: An onsite cafe featuring healthy food and drink options offered at a company discount, a state-of-the-art gym complete with a separate room for aerobics and kickboxing, and showers with towel service.
