Return to Office is Critical to the Vitality of Center City

By Scott Zuckerman & Paul Lindenmuth, Domus Construction

The return-to-office campaign in Philadelphia has been gaining momentum, although it is nowhere near the pre-pandemic levels, much to the detriment of local businesses, tax base and the overall vitality of Center City.

There remains a substantial faction who are firmly against a return to a full-time, in-person work week, and there is no assurance the holdouts will ever soften their position. Mayor Cherelle Parker’s administration recently began the process of requiring city employed personnel to report back to the office. Independence Blue Cross and Comcast are leading the top-down effort from the private sector and paving the way for others to hopefully follow suit.

The substantial duration of the pandemic shutdowns compelled many employees to adapt to a new dynamic, and many employees who have grown accustomed to working remotely and adjusting their personal routines are reluctant to relinquish their new schedules and flexibility.   

At Domus, the company benefited from being deemed “essential” due to the nature of our projects which permitted us to return to in-person work within several weeks of being mandated to shut down. While many companies are confident in their ability to provide the same level of service to clients through remote or hybrid work schedules, we strongly feel our clients and partners are best served when all our employees are present in the office.  When our employees are working on different schedules, the synergies and daily communication between our team would be compromised without their ability to collaborate in real time. The nature of the construction industry often requires quick and decisive decision making, and the ability to lean on the experience and expertise of our colleagues at a moment’s notice is invaluable. While you become knowledgeable in your respective field attending colleges and trade schools, real-world experience and hands-on learning from your peers can’t be replicated outside of an in-person environment.

It is understandable why many workers embrace remote and hybrid schedules which may allow for greater personal flexibility; however, it negates the interpersonal communication that is so critical. While some companies may determine their success is not contingent upon in-person work and make the decision to reduce or vacate their office space, the long-term viability of center city will require on an equal number of businesses to take their place and return to a traditional work environment. Office to residential conversions can be beneficial in limited scenarios but can also be very costly, but a robust center city business environment is preferable for sustained growth and prosperity.

Scott Zuckerman, Principal, Domus Construction
215-849-4444 szuckerman@domusinc.net
Paul Lindenmuth, Business Development, Domus Construction
215-880-2417 plindenmuth@domusinc.net