The Economics of the New Office

The CoreNet Global NYC Chapter kicks off 2026 with a clear mandate: define the value of the physical office. With the Economic Forecast event on January 13, corporate real estate leaders are analyzing how design influences retention and productivity in a stabilized hybrid market.

The prevailing strategy for 2026 is “Destination Workplace.” This goes beyond free coffee; it involves hospitality-grade amenities, acoustic perfection for video conferencing, and “library zones” for deep work. The data presented at CoreNet suggests that Class A buildings with wellness certifications (WELL, LEED) are seeing significantly higher occupancy rates than their counterparts.

Strategic Shifts

• Flight to Quality: Reducing footprint size but increasing fit-out budget per square foot.
• Flexibility 2.0: Modular wall systems that allow teams to resize rooms on demand.
• Community Hubs: dedicating 30% of floor plates to social/collaborative space.

See how these strategies align with global trends in our Pillar Report.