Shift in Working Patterns Impact on Commercial Real Estate

The COVID crisis has led to a significant shift in working patterns, with a noticeable decrease in the number of workers following a traditional five-day office week. This change is particularly prominent in the United States, where over one-third of households now work from home more frequently, visiting the office only about 3.5 days per week, representing a 30% reduction from the pre-pandemic norm. This shift is more extreme in America due to its digital society and spacious homes accommodating remote work. Conversely, Europe and Asia show less pronounced but visible trends. These changes, combined with rising interest rates on loans and a structural shift in demand for office spaces, are creating instability in the commercial real estate sector, affecting both current and future office prices.