The pandemic has changed much of what we have accepted as normal. For example, working a 9 to 5 office job with a commute into or within the big city has been a standard for many industries for a long time. Within the past year, however, countless people have either lost their jobs or have been working from home for an extended period of time. Some companies have started bringing their employees back into the office, while others have restructured and continue to allow people to work from home. With these massive changes, it should come as no surprise that trends are pointing to a big shift in the post-pandemic workplace.
While some may be sad to see an office-centric work culture go, others are overjoyed at the flexibility these new changes have brought on. There’s also the camp in the middle that is looking forward to a hybrid schedule, where there is time to spend in an office with coworkers while still enjoying a few days a week of working from the comforts of their own home. The post-pandemic workplace is not a static idea, but there are trends strongly pointing to a rise in suburban office space to provide that perfect medium. Even the tech industry, which is famous for large, impressive office spaces with tons of perks, is shifting towards offering regional “hubs” that will help support bridging the gap between full time in the office and full time at home.
A recent Forbes article dives into more information on the trends they’re seeing within the tech industry:
“Shopify CEO Tobi Lutke perhaps best emphasized this trend in a tweet announcing the option of permanent remote work for his company, which said, “Office centricity is over.”
This move toward more staff working primarily remotely doesn’t necessarily mean the end of tech campus growth, or the expansion of large tech giants into new regional centers. As more remote workers are dispersed throughout the United States, we’re likely to see less growth in flagship campuses, and more investment by companies in smaller regional “hub” areas in different parts of the country.”
REALTOR® Magazine also talks about the post-pandemic workplace and how suburban office trends will shake things up:
“A proliferation of new suburban office spaces could help fill empty retail space,” The Wall Street Journal reports. “They could also further blur the distinction between residential and commercial neighborhoods and help remake metropolitan areas.”
Many cities were built around central business districts. Urban planners say cities could undergo a transformation as an increased number of smaller offices open in the suburbs and lower the commute times for workers.
However, analysts in the office sector predict that many companies won’t shy completely away from brick-and-mortar even if remote work grows more commonplace permanently. The physical presence of an office, big or small, still helps to maintain visibility in the community and serves a place for staff members to meet and collaborate with each other or with clients.
Demand for flexible office space nationwide grew by 21% in the second half of 2020, according to a report by The Instant Group. The transactions tend to be mostly for smaller buildings with fewer spaces.”
What do you think about the post-pandemic workplace? How have these shifts affected you and your work-life balance? Join the discussion and visit us on social: Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. To learn more about us, head on over to the site here. We are your go-to source for everything real estate in Ulster County. Cheers!
