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. As return-to-office mandates rise, South Bay RTO tenant improvements are following.
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. As return-to-office mandates rise, South Bay RTO tenant improvements are following.
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.”
— Realogicinc.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.”
— Realogicinc.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.
Rivian’s Emeryville service center converted three former industrial buildings into an EV-only service facility, with coordinated distribution across three existing electrical services, EV charger installation, lighting and controls, and fire alarm design through construction.
FM Global’s new Walnut Creek field office called for lighting and controls, HVAC and plumbing power, and AV and fire alarm infrastructure, following market-ready work that prepared a give-back space on the same floor.
Expedia’s new two-level San Jose office came together with new floor power, pathways for AV and low-voltage systems, a full lighting package on Lutron Vive wireless controls, and a design-build fire alarm system.
Yerba Madre’s Oakland office and amenity space brought together full lighting and power distribution, mechanical coordination, and landlord-scope upgrades across two floors, plus a design-build fire alarm system, blending refined fixtures with dependable, amenity-ready infrastructure throughout.
Turn Biotechnologies’ San Jose office and lab space brought together decorative lighting, power distribution, and landlord-scope upgrades across 36,746 square feet, blending refined fixtures with dependable, life science-ready infrastructure throughout.
Sumitomo’s office and cleanroom buildout in San Jose called for coordinated power distribution, specialized lab circuits, and a full LED lighting package, delivering flexible infrastructure built for a demanding semiconductor R&D environment.
Pillsbury’s Palo Alto law office came together through a 40,000-square-foot, two-floor lighting and power buildout, with architectural lighting, emergency lighting, fire alarm work, and low-voltage pathways for a Class A workplace.
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.
Converting raw office space into a modern dental clinic, Ravenswood Dentistry’s Redwood City build-out paired new distribution, Lutron Vive lighting controls, and coordinated power for a clean, patient-ready result.
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.
Alameda Food Bank’s renovated office and pantry and its new ground-up warehouse came together as an all-electric facility, with new main switchgear, LED lighting with full controls, and a design-build fire alarm system.
A market-ready, multi-floor office upgrade in Santa Clara brought large-scale lighting installation and Lutron Vive wireless controls together, delivering a flexible, modern office environment designed for evolving tenant needs.
Willow Glen Dental’s San Jose build-out grew from a design-only scope into full lighting and controls, power distribution, exterior lighting, and low-voltage pathways.
950 Charter’s open-ceiling tenant improvement paired suspended linear LED lighting, lighting controls, and design-build electrical and fire alarm work within a modern industrial workspace in Redwood City.
The Radius saw two phases of electrical work: first, a core/shell upgrade. This was followed by tenant-level power, tele/data pathways, 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, rooftop mechanical support, fire alarm work and low-voltage pathways 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 Cushman & Wakefield, “Which Amenities Are Driving Leasing Activity?”
4 METRANS Transportation Center, “Evaluating the Impact of Telecommuting on Urban Transportation and Office Demand” Final Report (TO64)
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 Cushman & Wakefield, “Which Amenities Are Driving Leasing Activity?”
4 METRANS Transportation Center, “Evaluating the Impact of Telecommuting on Urban Transportation and Office Demand” Final Report (TO64)
