“What new leasing trends are emerging as companies consider returning to the office?”
Joe Bradley
Senior Vice President and Principal
MacKenzie Commercial Real Estate Services
“What started as a fad has gained relevance as many adopt a hybrid work model; however, we anticipate the use of the hybrid model will be on a declining scale. As larger corporations nationwide continue their return to the office, more will follow. We are already seeing this happen. While the use of today’s technology platforms support the hybrid model and provide convenience for flexibility, the model lacks corporate culture. Corporate culture cannot be created if employees are not together. Employees will become commodities when there are limited personal connections; those that are younger and new to a profession cannot effectively learn a business in front of a computer in their living room.”
Abby Glassberg
Principal
NAI KLNB
“The hybrid model may be a fad, but the flexibility model is here to stay. While the hybrid model was a necessary tool for some companies to be safer and cut costs during the pandemic, I think it will phase out because it hinders strong office culture and collaboration. The flexibility model comes from a place of trust and the realization that everyone has different work habits that allow them to be more efficient, but also that each individual has personal responsibilities. Whether that means adjusting in-office hours to take care of an aging parent or skipping the commute to the office occasionally to coordinate childcare, most employees will work harder when they feel valued. The flexibility model leads to happier and more productive team members resulting in higher profits and higher team-member retention rates.”
Brent Mangum
Vice President of Office Leasing
David S. Brown Enterprises
“Hybrid work models, in some form or another, are here to stay for many firms. During the pandemic, work-from-home became a necessity for most companies, and many found ways to make remote work productive and functional. But numerous principals and managers among our tenants have shared that there is just no replacement for the spontaneity and creative collaboration that in-office, face-to-face interaction produces. As we emerge from the pandemic, I believe that the hybrid work model will lean much more heavily towards in-office than work-from-home.”
Vicki Myers
Associate | Interior Designer
JP2 Architects
“We see this model remaining in some shape or form for the long term. As designers, it is up to us to shape what this new environment can mean for design moving forward. What was ‘normal’ is in the rear-view mirror and we all need to adapt, which provides a unique opportunity for several industries. More than anything else, the work environment provides a space where workers feel comfortable – it’s just that the definition of comfortable has changed. Employee-provided workplaces aren’t going anywhere. Just like it took some time for industries to adjust to working from home, it will take some time to transition back to working in the office. Designers have a unique opportunity to respond to this challenge.”