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bodhipooh t1_jc3ti65 wrote

My former employer is an umbrella company consisting mostly of finance-related businesses but a fairly large technology unit. Officially, the company is on a strict 3/2 hybrid setup, but none of the IT businesses are expected to follow it and they sold or gave up all the offices related to the IT units, and kept a few small spaces in some datacenters for employees that need to come on site. Very similar to what you describe for yourself.

I also agree with you that midtown is VERY different now. On the rare occasion I go into NYC during the week, it strikes me how much the vibe has changed. I also agree that (long term) it is not good if people continue to refuse to go back to offices. And, while it is true that JC is not as wholly dependent on offices as Manhattan, there is no way that the current situation is not having a significant impact on local businesses. It's DEAD in the Exchange Place and Harborside office area. If it remains that way, I don't see how any of those lunch places can survive. Even the "District Kitchen" concept seems to be on life support. But, again, I will be the first to admit that my perspective is warped by my particulars, and industry. But, the data seems to back up that perspective. Last I heard, the MTA subway ridership is still at about 70% of 2019 levels. And, it is widely reported that less than 60% of employees are actually on site on an average day. From my limited perspective, numbers for JC offices are MUCH LOWER. I can tell you that the entirety of 101 Hudson feels like a ghost town, and that used to be a fairly bustling building. From my living room, I can look at the Harborside complex entrance and it looks mostly dead all day.

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