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
Market Data | Jul 8, 2021
Encouraging construction cost trends are emerging
In its latest quarterly report, Rider Levett Bucknall states that contractors’ most critical choice will be selecting which building sectors to target.
Multifamily Housing | Jul 7, 2021
Make sure to get your multifamily amenities mix right
One of the hardest decisions multifamily developers and their design teams have to make is what mix of amenities they’re going to put into each project. A lot of squiggly factors go into that decision: the type of community, the geographic market, local recreation preferences, climate/weather conditions, physical parameters, and of course the budget. The permutations are mind-boggling.
Market Data | Jul 7, 2021
Construction employment declines by 7,000 in June
Nonresidential firms struggle to find workers and materials to complete projects.
Market Data | Jun 30, 2021
Construction employment in May trails pre-covid levels in 91 metro areas
Firms struggle to cope with materials, labor challenges.
Market Data | Jun 23, 2021
Construction employment declines in 40 states between April and May
Soaring material costs, supply-chain disruptions impede recovery.
Market Data | Jun 22, 2021
Architecture billings continue historic rebound
AIA’s Architecture Billings Index (ABI) score for May rose to 58.5 compared to 57.9 in April.
Market Data | Jun 17, 2021
Commercial construction contractors upbeat on outlook despite worsening material shortages, worker shortages
88% indicate difficulty in finding skilled workers; of those, 35% have turned down work because of it.
Market Data | Jun 16, 2021
Construction input prices rise 4.6% in May; softwood lumber prices up 154% from a year ago
Construction input prices are 24.3% higher than a year ago, while nonresidential construction input prices increased 23.9% over that span.
Market Data | Jun 16, 2021
Producer prices for construction materials and services jump 24% over 12 months
The 24.3% increase in prices for materials used in construction from May 2020 to last month was nearly twice as great as in any previous year
Market Data | Jun 15, 2021
ABC’s Construction Backlog inches higher in May
Materials and labor shortages suppress contractor confidence.