America‘s Commercial Real Estate Show RTO vs WFH Trends with Ethan Chernofsky
Apr 15, 2025
Join Ethan Chernofsky from Placer.ai, an expert in tracking commercial real estate trends, as he dives into the post-pandemic office landscape. He reveals a 30% drop in office traffic compared to pre-pandemic levels and the demographic shifts influencing return-to-office trends. The discussion highlights the emergence of hybrid work models, evolving commuter behaviors, and the unique challenges urban and suburban markets face. Ethan emphasizes the importance of collaborative spaces to enhance productivity and well-being in this new work environment.
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Office Occupancy Near New Normal
- Office occupancy in 2024 remains about 30% below pre-pandemic levels nationwide, with notable variation by city.
- Recovery appears steady but plateaued recently, suggesting a new normal in office attendance.
Preferred Office Days Shift
- Office visits cluster mostly on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, with Monday and Friday visits declining in proportion.
- This reflects employees seeking balance by maximizing office days where collaboration adds most value.
Hybrid Work’s Time Savings
- The major benefit of hybrid work is the time saved by cutting down commute days, allowing employees to reclaim hours for personal or family activities.
- This creates a 'force multiplier' effect enhancing work-life balance without reducing work productivity.