Survey: Americans See New Opportunities for Office Buildings as Work Patterns Evolve
As companies continue to embrace remote and hybrid work, vacant office buildings have become a visible part of the American landscape opening new opportunities. for property owners and real estate investors.
A new nationwide survey from IPX1031 notes the impact of vacant office buildings on local communities and insight regarding ideas and opportunities for repurposing these properties. The findings represent public sentiment and are not intended to reflect actual office occupancy rates, commercial real estate performance, or office vacancy rates by city.
52% of Americans Believe Hybrid Work is Most Productive
While workplaces continue to evolve, many Americans value both flexible work arrangements and traditional office environments.
More than half (52%) believe hybrid work is the most productive setup, while 29% say they would be willing to return to the office either full time or in a hybrid capacity within the next year. In fact, 28% wished they worked in an office and 1 in 10 say office closures have affected their social lives. Among those who have worked in an office in the past, 20% miss it.
What Americans like most working in an office:
- Socialization (66%)
- Separation of work/home (49%)
- Being in a work environment (35%)
As for what Americans like least about working in an office, commuting (74%) is the top answer, followed by dress code (46%) and being in a work environment (21%).
75% of Americans Would Live in a Converted Office Building
The majority of Americans (81%) believe remote work is permanently changing American cities. In fact, 88% say they notice vacant or underutilized office buildings in their area with 68% viewing the vacant buildings as a problem:
- 45% have noticed local businesses closing due to empty office buildings
- 66% believe vacant offices are hurting their local economy
- 56% say empty office buildings negatively impact how they feel about their community
As for what Americans want to see vacant office buildings turned into, affordable housing tops the list (37%), followed by local, small businesses (19%), and mixed-use retail & residential spaces (12%). More than 2 in 5 (44%) would least like to see empty office buildings turned into luxury apartments or condos. While the findings provide insights into consumer concerns, the data also highlights opportunities for property owners, developers, and investors. It’s especially notable that 75% of Americans would live in a converted office building.
Affordable Housing and Small Businesses Top Americans’ Redevelopment Wish List
More than 4 in 5 Americans (83%) think the government should provide incentives to repurpose office spaces, while 72% say they would support local tax incentives aimed at redeveloping empty office buildings.
The top concerns consumers associate with empty office spaces include:
- Loss of local business (73%)
- Wasted space (68%)
- Declining property values (39%)
Many believe solving the issue will require collaboration between multiple groups. Six in 10 Americans (60%) say local governments, private developers, and corporations should all share responsibility for addressing vacant office buildings. Some are even willing to contribute financially to redevelopment efforts: 38% say they would pay higher taxes if office buildings in their area were converted into community spaces, and 27% would personally invest in the renovation or redevelopment of vacant office buildings in their community.
When asked what they would like to see more of where they live, Americans prioritized:
- Affordable housing (65%)
- Local, small businesses (63%)
- Green spaces (56%)
- Entertainment venues (42%)
- Community centers (39%)
Do you own an office property or other investment real estate? As market conditions and community needs evolve, many investors are exploring redevelopment, repositioning, and diversification strategies. If you’re considering becoming an investment property owner, or already own an investment property, learn more about how a 1031 Exchange can help preserve your assets when buying and selling. Learn more about Investment Property Exchange Services, Inc. (IPX1031), the nation’s largest 1031 Exchange company.
Methodology
In May 2026, we conducted a survey of 997 people from across the U.S. about their opinion of vacant office buildings and remote work. Among respondents, 49% identified as male and 49% as female with an average age of 40.
For media inquiries, contact media@digitalthirdcoast.net
Fair Use
When using this data and research, please attribute by linking to this study and citing IPX1031.
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