In a focus group with 32 owners, occupiers and placemakers, Cushman & Wakefield found there is still a place for the office, though remote work productivity has remained strong. Not only were both management and professional staff able to do their work remotely, but administrative and non-exempt workers were also able to execute at a high level.

"It was an 'aha moment' that we can actually be very productive when you put 90% of your colleagues fully remote," one executive told C&W.

Still, the occupiers in C&W's focus groups indicated that increased remote work has created a perceived cost in long-term productivity, corporate culture and innovation and creativity. They shared that employees wanted to go back to the office to connect and collaborate. In fact, work-from-home fatigue is setting in, which is partially driven by video conferencing. The technology has led to "meeting sprawl" as meetings have increased for many people.