Tech Firms Once Powered New York’s Economy. Now They’re Scaling Back.
Tech Firms Once Powered New York’s Economy. Now They’re Scaling Back.
After years of steady growth, many technology companies are laying off workers and giving up millions of square feet of office space in the city.
Many tech jobs can be done from home in this day and age, the office space is meaningless when you can instantly conference without an issue via video and audio, and there are a million and one ways to connect with employees and employers that don't require that massive space anymore. Would be better to replace some of that office space with living space, that's a more sensible use of the area. We'll need more living space most likely in the future.
Would be better to replace some of that office space with living space, that’s a more sensible use of the area
Who would want to live in the middle of a CBD?
The only possible reason I can think of is to avoid the hellish commute into/out of a CBD every day... but if there were less offices in the CBD then there wouldn't be a hellish commute, and you'd be far happier living near the CBD instead of in the CBD.
Having "living space" doesn't just mean somewhere to sleep, it also means somewhere to kick a ball around or read a book in peace under the shade of a tree. Space like that is in extremely short supply in any CBD - even where it exists someone else is already using it so you can't.
Offices also don't have enough water infrastructure for a bunch of people to have a shower at the same time, or enough gas/electricity for everyone to make a cup of coffee or cook at once. They'd need major infrastructure upgrades to support residential living and it usually makes more sense to find some other use until they are old enough to justify being demolished and rebuilt.
You’re thinking too short-term. A central business district doesn’t have to be like we see it in the US. It can be vibrant and filled with cafés and restaurants and parks as well that give it life in the evenings and weekends.