The commercial real estate market is a competitive and fragmented sector. Multi-family residential units, industrial buildings, offices, and retail spaces are among the most in-demand locations. The market value of a commercial property is profoundly influenced by its appearance and outdoor features. 

Every detail matters to make a good first impression, whether you’re trying to attract customers, visitors, buyers, or other real estate professionals. Examples include well-designed parking lots, lush lawns, attractive flower beds, strategically placed trees, and amenities such as fire pits and landscape lighting.  

At Evergreen Design Group (EDG), our landscape architecture firm can design your commercial property’s outdoor plan to maximize its curb appeal. Learn what types of features and landscaping improvements our landscape architects can design to boost your building’s property value.

Does Commercial Landscaping Increase Your Property Value?

A well-designed landscaping plan for a commercial building can significantly boost the property’s market value. According to data compiled by the University of Washington, commercial offices with high-quality landscapes saw 7% higher rental rates. In business districts, shoppers spend 9% to 12% more on properties with quality tree canopies.

An experienced landscape architecture firm will review your program and suggest features, tree disposition, and lawn and landscape plans that make sense for the property type. Here’s an overview of the types of landscaping that increase property values for each type of commercial property:

Multi-Family Apartments and Residential Buildings

Property owners looking to attract more tenants, improve occupant satisfaction rates, and raise the building’s market value should consider the following landscape design elements:

• Lush lawns and local trees. Healthy, green lawns with strategically placed trees and vegetation add shade, give the property natural features, and create a more welcoming environment. Experienced landscape architects prioritize native trees because they are already naturally suited to the local weather and soil conditions.

• Livable outdoor spaces. Patios, outdoor kitchens, and communal seating areas provide local residents with opportunities to meet and socialize. Besides enhancing curb appeal, they provide additional functional value, supporting higher rents.

• Flower beds and plantings. Well-maintained flower beds that use local species can add extra charm and visual appeal, further increasing the property’s curb appeal and leaving a stronger first impression on first-time renters.
• Amenities That Enhance Tenant Experience. Amenities go beyond aesthetics—they directly impact resident satisfaction, retention rates, and the perceived value of a property. Here are some key landscape and design-focused amenities property owners should consider:

Educational Facilities

Landscaping for educational buildings—colleges, schools, and universities—isn’t just about beautification. A professionally designed landscaping plan can make the building safer, foster a sense of community, and create extra learning and studying opportunities. Examples include:

• Outdoor learning spaces. Gardens, shaded seating areas, and amphitheaters offer opportunities to hold outdoor classes and events, creating additional educational opportunities.

• Well-lit hardscaping elements. Clearly marked walkways with plentiful lighting help keep students safe. They can also improve accessibility by guiding students and staff between buildings and facilities.

• Sporting amenities and green lawns. Well-designed and maintained athletic fields and open lawn areas provide natural spaces for gatherings and sporting activities, improving the building’s image.

Office Buildings

In an office property, a landscaping plan can help improve employee morale and well-being, increasing its financial performance and market value. Good landscaping design on office buildings typically includes:

• Energy-efficient plantings. Strategically placed trees, shrubs, and plants can provide shade and windbreaks, reducing cooling expenses.

• Attractive entryways. Manicured lawns, ornamental trees, colorful flower beds, and rigorous landscaping maintenance can create a positive and welcoming atmosphere for clients and employees. These elements improve the building’s image and support higher lease rates.

• Outdoor break areas. Landscaped courtyards with seating areas, natural shade, and landscape irrigation systems give employees spaces to relax and take breaks, improving morale and productivity.

Hospitality Properties

Property owners in the hospitality industry, such as restaurants, hotels, and resorts, need quality landscaping plans to attract more guests, such as: 

• Seasonal planting displays. Rotating flower beds and container gardens for every season keeps the building looking fresh and inviting, encouraging repeat visits.

• Water features and lighting. Ponds and fountains with accent lighting can become the centerpieces of a hospitality building’s outdoor fixtures, helping enhance the atmosphere and creating a more luxurious experience for guests.

• Privacy landscaping. Manicured hedges, trellises, and lush borders can be used to create intimate dining zones and relaxation areas that guests and customers will appreciate.

 Retail Spaces

Quality landscaping in retail environments helps attract more customers, driving up the property’s value and attractiveness. Examples of effective elements in retail landscaping projects include:

• Pedestrian-friendly plazas. Large, open plazas with seating, shade, and hardscaping elements encourage visitors to stay longer and spend more. They can also improve the building’s exterior appearance and feature the retail space’s branding, helping it stand out from other buildings in the area.

• Parking lot landscaping. Strategically placed trees and landscaped islands around parking areas provide shade to vehicles and pedestrians, protecting them from the heat and making the shopping experience more convenient.

• Branded entryways. Colorful tree and flower plantings, decorative hardscaping, and well-maintained lawns with the store’s branding and colors create a welcoming, distinctive atmosphere that increases foot traffic.

Reach Out to an Experienced Landscape Architect Firm For Your Commercial Project

Evergreen Design Group (EDG) is a landscape architect firm with over 20 years of industry experience. Our team of over 15 specialists includes professional landscape architects, landscape designers, and landscape irrigation consultants.

We have developed detailed landscaping plans and provided consulting services for commercial property owners in over 40 states. At Evergreen Design Group, our objective is to create a plan that fits your vision, first and foremost. Our firm doesn’t work for accolades or awards—only to meet your needs and objectives, whether you’re looking to attract more customers or make your building more attractive to potential buyers.

Looking for a professional team to design or manage your commercial landscape program? Get in touch with us today to request a new proposal or if you have any questions about our services..