Return to Office Hits New Highs as Workplace Crowds and Commercial Leasing Surge

The era of remote work dominance is fading, as office occupancy levels reached their highest point since the pandemic during the final week of January, according to data from property management firm Kastle Systems. With return-to-office (RTO) mandates in full swing, employees are filling up offices, trains, and parking lots, bringing new challenges to once-empty workplaces.

Workplace Crowds Are Back—And So Are Growing Pains

• Increased office attendance is leading to competition for desks and parking spaces in some workplaces.
• Public transit ridership is climbing, reflecting the shift away from full-time remote work.
• Demand for commercial office space is rising, signaling renewed corporate investment in in-person work environments.

The Future of Hybrid and In-Person Work

As more companies enforce RTO policies, employees are adapting to a new normal of hybrid and office-based work. With commercial leasing on the rise and office buildings bustling once again, the shift back to in-person work appears to be gaining momentum. However, how businesses balance flexibility and structure will define the next phase of the workplace evolution.