Some folks spend work breaks gulping coffee, gobbling doughnuts or playing word games on their phones. Bharat Ananth hits the trails.
“I’m a big outdoor person,” says Ananth, vice president for digital and IT at Tarsus Pharmaceuticals, which recently moved into a new headquarters at Spectrum Terrace. He arrives as early as 6 a.m. to jog along the 1.5-mile trail circling the resort-like, 73-acre campus at the 405 freeway and Laguna Canyon Road.
“I’ve been working in Southern California for 25 years, and this is one of the best locations,” he says.
Ananth’s enthusiasm helps explain why leading firms such as Amazon, Coca-Cola, Boot Barn and more lease offices in Spectrum Terrace’s nine glassy, four-story buildings, set on a property landscaped with 2,200 olive and pine trees.
In an era when many employers find it important to engage and retain their top talent, Spectrum Terrace’s luxurious environment is a big plus, says Tarsus’ chief human resources officer, Dianne Whitfield.
“As we were growing and looking for one continuous space, having walkable areas and outdoor space and great amenities was important for us, and Spectrum Terrace really hit the nail on the head,” Whitfield says.
More than office space
Spectrum Terrace’s amenities extend well beyond opportunities for wellness. Settings for face-to-face collaboration include The Commons – a shaded, Wi-Fi-enabled outdoor gathering space with comfortable seating, firepits and device charging stations. Employees also run into one another alongside the Olympic-length pool.
“I’ve been working in Southern California for 25 years, and this is one of the best locations.”
Bharat Ananth, vice president for digital and IT at Tarsus Pharmaceuticals
Ventura Foods – which supplies home and restaurant staples such as Hidden Valley Ranch dressings – reportedly considered nearly 100 locations before moving to Spectrum Terrace last year. Employees appreciate the spacious environments and the many chances to take work outdoors.
Jim Service, a vice president at Ventura Foods, swims at his lunch hour, delighted by the convenience of the pool. “I began swimming competitively when I was 6 and have not swum in quite a while, as it was not easy to get to a pool,” he says.
The right environment
Boot Barn, the nation’s largest Western and workwear retailer, moved to Spectrum Terrace in 2024. Its 118,000-square-foot headquarters features high ceilings, a four-story indoor waterfall and a lobby floor with an inlaid-stone depiction of wild mustangs.
“Our space is an environment where everyone is excited to come to work,” says Randy Rokosz, director of purchasing and facilities. “And when people work together in community, we’re always more productive.”
Despite his employer offering hybrid work, Ananth routinely shows up every day, looking forward to work and opportunities for refreshment, with a stroll around the pool, a chance meeting on the trail or a moment to savor the cool breeze. The indoor-outdoor worklife “gives me peace of mind,” he says.
