Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey recently informed employees that they will be allowed to work from home permanently, even after the COVID-19 pandemic subsides.
The move may be a harbinger of a new corporate mindset resulting from the pandemic. It doesn’t bode well for the commercial office market, some observers say.
The new normal for office space could become virtual, with companies retaining just a scaled-down home base dedicated to important meetings with clients and recruits. Prior to the pandemic, leased or company-owned offices may have been iconic buildings that bolstered the brand and prominence in the areas they occupied.
After the pandemic, office space may be viewed as an expensive budget line item that could be trimmed with little impact on operations. Many businesses, even those requiring high data security such as financial services firms, have made necessary investments in virtual infrastructure during the virus lockdown. The result has been a true distributed workforce that in some cases has been more productive.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Mar 8, 2019
Portland delays requirement for posted warnings on unreinforced brick and stone buildings
Regulation would mandate signs warning that buildings could be unsafe during earthquakes.
Codes and Standards | Mar 7, 2019
California will allow flame retardant-free building insulation
State also repeals business furniture flammability standard.
Codes and Standards | Mar 6, 2019
Sixty six construction companies cited for wage theft violations in Massachusetts
Penalties total $2.7 million.
Codes and Standards | Mar 5, 2019
Persistent flooding having economic impact on coastal cities
Atlantic City, Annapolis among communities affected.
Codes and Standards | Mar 1, 2019
$1 billion Boston hospital project to include extensive disaster resiliency features
Mass. General expansion will be designed for four days of shelter in place.
Codes and Standards | Mar 1, 2019
U.S. cities have become more dangerous for bicyclists and pedestrians
Reduced speed limits, traffic calming, better education seen as keys to improvement.
Codes and Standards | Feb 28, 2019
High-income renters now the fastest-growing housing market segment
Growth is fastest in mid-sized cities with strong economies.
Codes and Standards | Feb 27, 2019
Katerra launches software platform for ‘entire lifecycle of the building process’
Firm is accepting industry applicants to test the product.
Codes and Standards | Feb 26, 2019
AAMA updates two specifications for test methods related to seismic drift
For evaluating window wall, curtain wall and storefront systems.
Codes and Standards | Feb 22, 2019
California’s carbon reduction goals to be aided by programs to convert heating, hot water systems
Switch from propane to electricity is critical to plan.