Great question! Yes, most of our modern street benches do include a center armrest, and it’s not just for looks. The center armrest creates a clear physical boundary between two seating areas, which helps two strangers share the bench without feeling like they’re invading each other’s personal space. Without it, people tend to sit on opposite ends, leaving an awkward empty gap in the middle. With the armrest, both sides feel equally inviting, and two people can sit comfortably even if they don’t know each other.
Of course, we also offer benches without a center armrest for certain settings—like parks where families or groups want to sit close together. But for bus stops, city sidewalks, and busy public plazas, the center armrest is a small detail that makes a big difference in daily comfort. It reduces accidental touching, gives each person a place to rest their arm, and signals that the bench is meant for two separate users.
If you’re looking for a specific model, our standard “Metro” and “Civic” benches both have a molded aluminum center armrest. We also have an option to add a center armrest to any of our backless benches. Feel free to browse the product pages for photos and dimensions.
One more thing: we’ve tested many variations, and the center armrest consistently gets the highest comfort ratings from users in busy urban environments. It’s a simple, durable feature that helps people feel at ease—and that’s exactly what public furniture should do.