flexiblefullpage -
billboard - default
interstitial1 - interstitial
catfish1 - bottom
Currently Reading

Number of employees returning to the office varies significantly by city

Market Data

Number of employees returning to the office varies significantly by city

Workers want offices to have more opportunities for socialization, better technology, according to a new report.


By Peter Fabris, Contributing Editor | November 27, 2023
Image by StartupStockPhotos from Pixabay - Number of employees returning to the office varies significantly by city
Image by StartupStockPhotos from Pixabay

While the return-to-the-office trend is felt across the country, the percentage of employees moving back to their offices varies significantly according to geography, according to Eptura’s Q3 Workplace Index.

The business software company’s most recent study compared the numbers of third quarter office desk bookings in 2022 to those tallied in 2023. The findings:

  • Dallas desk bookings grew 72% 
  • New York City desk bookings grew 58% 
  • Chicago desk bookings grew 52% 
  • San Francisco desk bookings grew 26%

Office occupancy is top of mind for many CEOs, with 74% of operational leaders reporting to their CEOs on occupancy metrics at least quarterly and 40% reporting to CEOs monthly. When asked what would make them want to use their workplace more, employees cited more opportunities for socialization and better technology. The top three most selected responses were:

  • More social areas such as cafes and outdoor spaces at 45%
  • Better technology like collaboration and scheduling software at 38%
  • More recreational areas like pool tables and table football at 34%

The survey also found that many organizations are adopting automation to enhance efficiency. The top uses for building systems automation were:

  • Lighting control to reduce energy consumption (87%)
  • Security systems to monitor and control access (83%)
  • HVAC systems to monitor temperatures and reduce energy costs (83%)
  • Fire and life safety systems to detect and respond to emergencies (74%)

Related Stories

| Mar 21, 2014

Forget wood skyscrapers - Check out these stunning bamboo high-rise concepts [slideshow]

The Singapore Bamboo Skyscraper competition invited design teams to explore the possibilities of using bamboo as the dominant material in a high-rise project for the Singapore skyline. 

| Mar 20, 2014

Common EIFS failures, and how to prevent them

Poor workmanship, impact damage, building movement, and incompatible or unsound substrate are among the major culprits of EIFS problems. 

| Mar 20, 2014

D.C. breaks ground on $2B mega waterfront development [slideshow]

When complete, the Wharf will feature approximately 3 million sf of new residential, office, hotel, retail, cultural, and public uses, including waterfront parks, promenades, piers, and docks.

| Mar 17, 2014

Rem Koolhaas explains China's plans for its 'ghost cities'

China's goal, according to Koolhaas, is to de-incentivize migration into already overcrowded cities. 

| Mar 13, 2014

Austria's tallest tower shimmers with striking 'folded façade' [slideshow]

The 58-story DC Tower 1 is the first of two high-rises designed by Dominique Perrault Architecture for Vienna's skyline.

| Mar 12, 2014

London grows up: 236 tall buildings to be added to skyline in coming decade, says think tank

The vast majority of high-rise projects in the works are residential towers, which could help tackle the city's housing crisis, according to a new report by New London Architecture.

| Mar 12, 2014

14 new ideas for doors and door hardware

From a high-tech classroom lockdown system to an impact-resistant wide-stile door line, BD+C editors present a collection of door and door hardware innovations. 

| Feb 27, 2014

Open or private offices? It depends on the business plan

Open layouts are grabbing headlines as a hallmark of the new workplace—think the Google campus or Facebook's headquarters. And for smaller-scale operations, open designs are often lauded for being less expensive than private office plans. But does that mean all offices should have an open layout?

| Feb 25, 2014

NYC's Hudson Spire would be nation's tallest tower if built

Design architect MJM + A has released an updated design scheme for the planned 1,800-foot-tall, superthin skyscraper. 

| Feb 20, 2014

5 myths about cross laminated timber

A CLT expert clears up several common misconceptions and myths surrounding the use of wood as a building material.

boombox1 - default
boombox2 -
native1 -

More In Category




halfpage1 -

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021