CarGurus

CarGurus, a leading U.S. automotive marketplace for buying and selling vehicles, recently consolidated its headquarters into a central location in Boston’s Back Bay. At the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Boston’s Mayor Wu presented an award to CarGurus, commending their decision to establish a state-of-the-art office as an anchor tenant in the Back Bay neighborhood. This move brought together nearly 1,000 employees who had previously worked in separate offices in Cambridge, uniting them on the top ten floors of a new 20-story building. Originally designed with a traditional layout before the pandemic, the project evolved to embrace a flexible workspace model better suited to CarGurus’ hybrid work culture.

The new floor plan prioritizes adaptable, bookable workspaces to support diverse work scenarios, including collaboration, meetings, and focused individual work. With versatile meeting rooms, social hubs and mobile power, the space fosters choice and collaboration while remaining adaptable to future needs. Employee well-being and inclusivity were central to the headquarters design. The office includes mothers’ suites on multiple floors, wellness rooms, single-use restrooms, and workstations, enabling individuals to tailor their spaces to their needs. Ergonomics, acoustics, and the balance between quiet zones and active areas were carefully considered, with serene libraries for introspection and active spaces for social interaction. Within the open plan, the Steelcase Brody Lounge Chair and Shielded Flex workstations created cozy spaces with visual privacy for individual work. The Steelcase Karman task chair was chosen following a sit test that evaluated its comfort, aesthetic appeal, and sustainability features.

The design incorporates CarGurus’ brand identity through color-coordinated wayfinding and floor themes inspired by the regions in which the company operates. Amenities, such as a game room, libraries, a tech bar, a barista bar, training areas, and rooftop decks, encourage cross-functional interaction, creating a vibrant and engaging workspace that reflects CarGurus’ commitment to innovation and employee empowerment.

Photos © Robert Benson Photography