So what do y'all think the likelihood is that a bunch of corporate real estate owners got together with their biggest lesees and said, “Hey buddy, if you institute a return to work policy we'll give you x% off your lease for the next couple of years.”
I couldn't figure out why so many companies would be willing to throw away hundreds or thousands of manhours into commutes for largely computer-driven jobs, but it would make total sense if their now very underutilized corporate lease burdens could be lessened by forcing people back into the office.
And the leaseowners sure would like people to get back into the office, since they're likely also residential property owners interested in keeping rents and property values high, which the elimination or decimation of downtown offices and subsequent possible conversion into residential property would undoubtably do.