During the COVID-19 Pandemic and the period that directly followed it, in-office attendance hit a nationwide all-time low, employers reporting in October 2021 that 32% of their employees had never worked in-office at all.
However, as of February 2025, that reported number dropped to 11%. In the same survey, employers had reported in 2021 that 44% of their employees worked hybrid schedules. This percentage rose to 63% by 2025, most of these employees averaging 3 to 4 days in-office.
These statistics are overall reflective of the rising return-to-office mandates that companies are beginning to implement–– especially in the Bay Area, where big tech is slowly returning to its home court.
During the COVID-19 Pandemic and the period that directly followed it, in-office attendance hit a nationwide all-time low, employers reporting in October 2021 that 32% of their employees had never worked in-office at all.
However, as of February 2025, that reported number dropped to 11%. In the same survey, employers had reported in 2021 that 44% of their employees worked hybrid schedules. This percentage rose to 63% by 2025, most of these employees averaging 3 to 4 days in-office.
These statistics are overall reflective of the rising return-to-office mandates that companies are beginning to implement–– especially in the Bay Area, where big tech is slowly returning to its home court.
Nvidia recently purchased a $123 million workspace in Santa Clara
LinkedIn closed a $74 million deal on a workspace in Sunnyvale
Technology has long been ingrained in the work culture of the Bay Area, specifically Silicon Valley, and while many workspaces appeared to slowly empty during the post-pandemic period, they are beginning to fill up once again.
In early 2025, LinkedIn closed a $74 million deal on a workspace in Sunnyvale, solidifying its presence in the tech-hub of the South Bay. Additionally, Nvidia recently purchased a $123 million workspace in nearby Santa Clara.
Businesses are beginning to repopulate the workspaces of the Bay Area, and with rising RTO mandates, there are more workers than ever back in these spaces since the pandemic. However, with many of these workers growing accustomed to the amenities of remote work, businesses are looking to incentivize the return to in-person work schedules.
Technology has long been ingrained in the work culture of the Bay Area, specifically Silicon Valley, and while many workspaces appeared to slowly empty during the post-pandemic period, they are beginning to fill up once again.
In early 2025, LinkedIn closed a $74 million deal on a workspace in Sunnyvale, solidifying its presence in the tech-hub of the South Bay. Additionally, Nvidia recently purchased a $123 million workspace in nearby Santa Clara.
Businesses are beginning to repopulate the workspaces of the Bay Area, and with rising RTO mandates, there are more workers than ever back in these spaces since the pandemic. However, with many of these workers growing accustomed to the amenities of remote work, businesses are looking to incentivize the return to in-person work schedules.
Nvidia recently purchased a $123 million workspace in Santa Clara
LinkedIn closed a $74 million deal on a workspace in Sunnyvale
In order to attract and retain employees with rising RTO mandates, companies and property owners are investing in various upgrades to their workspaces, especially those occupying new spaces. These upgrades often include amenities such as fitness centers, smart lighting, co-working spaces, and outdoor workspaces fitted with necessities like wifi and power outlets.
In order to attract and retain employees with rising RTO mandates, companies and property owners are investing in various upgrades to their workspaces, especially those occupying new spaces. These upgrades often include amenities such as fitness centers, smart lighting, co-working spaces, and outdoor workspaces fitted with necessities like wifi and power outlets.
While the cost of these interior improvements may vary, the return on investment for companies includes long-term benefits such as higher employee morale and lower turnover rates, and for property owners, attracting high-quality tenants as well as increasing rental rates.
While the cost of these interior improvements may vary, the return on investment for companies includes long-term benefits such as higher employee morale and lower turnover rates, and for property owners, attracting high-quality tenants as well as increasing rental rates.
Higher Employee Morale: Added amenities and workplace perks can play a role in supporting employee satisfaction during the shift back to in-office work.
RTO Support: As in-office attendance increases, businesses can ensure that their spaces are equipped for the transition.
Attracting Quality Tenants: Attract businesses that are looking to incorporate more amenities and building capabilities into office life.
Increased Rental Rates: Well-executed improvements can enhance asset value and support higher rental rates.
Higher Employee Morale: Added amenities and workplace perks can play a role in supporting employee satisfaction during a return to the office.
RTO Support: As in-office attendance increases, businesses can ensure that their spaces are equipped for the transition.
Attracting Quality Tenants: Attract businesses that are looking to incorporate more amenities and building capabilities into office life.
Increased Rental Rates: Well-executed improvements can enhance asset value and support higher rental rates.
“Return-to-office mandates are not just bringing workers back; they’re reshaping what office space must provide — from collaborative layouts to robust electrical and tech infrastructure.”
— Reallogicinc.com
“Return-to-office mandates are not just bringing workers back; they’re reshaping what office space must provide — from collaborative layouts to robust electrical and tech infrastructure.”
— Reallogicinc.com
At Elson Electric, we’ve been an integral part of how many businesses bring their employees back to the office. Check out our Tenant Improvements projects throughout the Bay Area.
At Elson Electric, we’ve been an integral part of how many businesses bring their employees back to the office. Check out our Tenant Improvements projects throughout the Bay Area.
A former bank in Palo Alto became Pillsbury’s headquarters through a full two-floor lighting and power buildout, with an added parking garage security and access-control system plus generator-backed emergency lighting.
1640 South Loop received a full market-ready upgrade, with new electrical systems, lighting, and infrastructure delivered to support flexible, lab-ready space for future life science and R&D tenants.
At America Center, layered lighting and clean integration come together to redefine the lobby experience, with our team delivering suspended fixtures, linear LEDs, and ceiling systems that bring clarity, balance, and consistency to the space.
America Center’s lobby received all-new LED lighting throughout the entrance, while fitness, conference, dining, and shower spaces were each given a full, purpose-built lighting and power design.
Across six floors, a market-ready upgrade for a confidential client brought large-scale lighting installation and intelligent lighting controls together, delivering a flexible, modern office environment designed to support evolving tenant needs throughout.
Willow Glen Dental’s San Jose build-out grew from a design-only scope into full lighting and controls, power distribution, exterior lighting, and card-reader access control, with added downlighting along the way.
950 Charter’s open-ceiling tenant improvement brought Elson’s electrical work to a space designed around exposed structure, with a straightforward buildout suited to a clean, modern industrial aesthetic.
The Radius saw two phases of electrical work: first, a core/shell upgrade. This was followed by tenant-level power, signal, and lighting — preparing this Alameda campus for flexible lab and office use.
Via Aurelia’s Mission Rock restaurant relied on a fully integrated lighting control system, extensive power distribution, and rooftop mechanical support to bring a polished, high-end dining environment to life.
The Bay Area is seeing the return of its in-person workforce, aligning with national RTO trends, creating a renewed demand for modern, functional workspaces.
With this ongoing trend, it’s essential that businesses and property owners alike consider the benefits of tenant improvements to their workspaces.
Elson Electric is a veteran when it comes to tenant improvements, with experience delivering results that bring outdated, ordinary offices back to life. Connect with our dedicated professionals to explore how we can upgrade your workspace.
The Bay Area is seeing the return of its in-person workforce, aligning with national RTO trends, creating a renewed demand for modern, functional workspaces.
With this ongoing trend, it’s essential that businesses and property owners alike consider the benefits of tenant improvements to their workspaces.
Elson Electric is a veteran when it comes to tenant improvements, with experience delivering results that bring outdated, ordinary offices back to life. Connect with our dedicated professionals to explore how we can upgrade your workspace.
Our crews are ready to take on your next project.
Send us a note and we’ll be in touch.
Our crews are ready to take on your next project. Send us a note and we’ll be in touch.
1 Bay Area Council Economic Institute, “Bay Area Return to Office” report
2 CoStar News, “Amazon-leased Silicon Valley building hits market in test of tech tenant appeal” (May 13, 2025)
3 Realogic, “The Return To Office: Stabilizing Commercial Real Estate and the Rise of Tenant Amenities”
4 METRANS Transportation Center, “Evaluating the Impact of Telecommuting on Urban Transportation and Office Demand” Final Report (TO64)
