Return-to-Office Will Not Be Like Pre-Covid

I’ve been predicting that the private industry and government mandates that office workers return to the office will boost occupancy from the current 50% to 60% but not bring back pre-Covid levels is being born out. BisNow reported on March 10, 2025, that the average office foot traffic is 64% of 2019 levels and average attendance volume average are less than 54% of pracademic occupancy. “The days of rolling out return-to-office policies are largely over, but how employers and their staff use their office space has permanently changed.“  Companies are getting away from assigned seating and optimizing space for more flexible, hybrid work schedules. Corporate office downsizing also appears to be diminishing, which is great news for office landlords. I think this may be the new normal for some time to come…