Office Returns Hit Their New Normal

Office attendance across the U.S. continues to recover—but not without a shift in expectations and behavior.

According to Placer.ai’s Nationwide Office Building Index, April 2025 was the third-busiest in-office month since the pandemic began. While overall office visits remain 30.7% below April 2019 levels, the numbers show clear signs of upward momentum.

Hybrid is Here to Stay

The five-day office week may be gone for good. Analysts now point to hybrid work as the long-term reality. Tuesdays and Wednesdays remain the busiest in-office days, while Fridays lag behind. This pattern reflects a broader recalibration of how—and where—people work.

R.J. Hottovy, head of analytical research at Placer.ai, notes that while the return to office isn’t complete, we’re nearing a new normal. “We’re never going to be back to 100%,” he said, “because many employers found that the hybrid model boosts productivity and employee satisfaction.”

Which Cities Are Leading the Return?

New York is setting the pace, with April visits down just 5.5% from pre-pandemic levels—and Tuesday and Wednesday traffic now exceeding 2019. Miami, Dallas, and Atlanta also outperformed the national average.

San Francisco, while still 44.7% below April 2019 visitation levels, is leading major metros in year-over-year growth. Office visits in the city rose 7.6% from April 2024—a promising sign for the local market.

Worker Sentiment Still Favors Flexibility

As more companies tighten office policies, workers continue to show a strong preference for flexibility. Recent surveys reveal that many employees would trade a raise or even consider changing jobs to preserve remote or hybrid options.

Still, employer leverage is growing as the job market cools, and in-office mandates are becoming more common across sectors—including within the federal government.

Office Market Evolution

As hybrid work reshapes tenant needs, office footprints are adjusting. Some buildings are being sold at discounts; others are undergoing conversion to residential or mixed-use developments. Washington, D.C., for example, now has 18 conversions in the pipeline, with nine under construction and four delivered in 2024. These efforts have already reduced vacancy rates.

While full pre-pandemic occupancy levels may not return, cities and property owners are finding new ways to reimagine office assets for long-term value.