Working from home and effects on downtown Pittsburgh (Washington, Oakland: real estate, leases)

[Independentthinking83]

Interesting article in the PG. It looks like the experts don’t know what to expect. 40-80% of the workforce downtown is likely to return. Hopefully for the sake of the city tax revenue it is on the higher end. How is the city going to make up for lost revenue?

I am interested in seeing if pollution in the city dives as a result.

https://www.post-gazette.com/busines...s/202104250038

[PghPatriot]

I work for a medium sized downtown tech company, and we're planning on heading back later this summer.

[BUILD PENN SQUARE]

will workers be required to wear masks and distance?

[eschaton]

The article gives the example of Giant Eagle remaining entirely WFH...but that's a suburban complex in O'Hara.

It of course remains to be seen, but I think that - in general - we'll see less of a return to the office in suburban office parks than Downtown. At least Downtown you have a lot of options when it comes to lunchtime dining, and you can hang around after work for dinner or nightlife. Not too many people really have fond memories of their corporate cafeteria. Not to mention the inter-suburban commutes are often not ideal for lots of folks.

[Moby Hick]

I miss Oakland. I'll be going back to the office once we reopen, but not five days a week now that I have the option.

[PghYinzer]

I work for one of the larger downtown employers and we will be heading back to the office, with an update on timing coming in early May. There will be more flexibility with WFH, which we were actually pulling back from before the pandemic, but so far there has only been conversations around how we will be going back.

[svband76]

Workers need to get back into downtown for many reasons.

[erieguy]

Originally Posted by zalewskimm

Workers need to get back into downtown for many reasons.

Why do they “need” to?

[Higherho]

They are doing fine on revenue. Check out the latest months, EIT tax alone is quite high compared to previous decades. EIT increased over 40 million within 13 years. Granted EIT did go down a bit from 2019 to 2021 from 102 to 94 ish but real estate went up.

https://pittsburghpa.gov/controller/revenue-report

Here is the annual reports dating back to 1979.

https://pittsburghpa.gov/controller/annualreport

I have to find the news report but they interviewed a city official who stated that the downtown leases that did not renew were majority tech sector and it was only like 20% or something like that. I don’t think it will be a big issue and not every sector or even every individual likes to work from home so there will always be an office space.

[Knepper3]

I work for a large firm (Yes I do Real Estate, this is a 2nd job I've had forever) of about 54k employees global but about 300 US offices. Across the board they are cutting all US offices to under 1/2 of the prior size since they are allowing everyone to work from home if they prefer. Offices will be more for meetings and clients though certain collaborations might be in office as well. Companies realized the savings with this switch and are more comfortable with format.

My son took a job recently with a IT firm though North of the city, he's been there a week and has yet to go into the office. He said he will likely go in a couple days to work one on one with his boss then will be back to remote. While I HATE when people say this is the new norm about everything, I do agree companies are just going to be more comfortable with this.

I've worked remote for SNC (was Atkins and prior was PBS&J) for 17 years, it is good and bad for both, I've loved the flexibility to never worry about my job if I feel like changing my lifestyle/location. Downside though is your pay doesnt adjust if you feel like moving somewhere more expensive.


EDIT: I forgot to say we do not have a Pittsburgh office anymore, they pulled out of the area about 5 years ago though we might still have a little office down in Washington.