Class A+ office buildings in major U.S. markets are experiencing a strong return of in-person work, with occupancy levels reaching over 90% of pre-pandemic norms on peak days, according to a midyear report by building security firm Kastle Systems. On Tuesdays, the busiest in-office day, usage climbs as high as 94%.
The report shows a growing divide in the office market. While high-end, well-located properties are nearing full utilization on key weekdays, average national occupancy across all building types remains around 50%. The data is based on anonymous keycard activity from more than 3,500 buildings in 138 U.S. cities.
Class A+ properties, representing only about 2.3% of the buildings included in the report, stand out for their design, location, and amenities. These features have helped them attract tenants looking to encourage employee attendance in a hybrid work environment, according to CoStar.
In Manhattan, leasing activity in trophy buildings rose to about 62% of total office leasing in the first quarter of 2025, the highest share in decades and nearly double the figure from the previous year, according to real estate services firm Avison Young.
Demand has been so strong that One World Trade Center is offering space on the 89th and 90th floors, aiming to lease at rates well above the building’s average.
Office attendance patterns continue to vary widely by day and location. Tuesdays and Wednesdays are the most popular in-office days, with Class A+ buildings surpassing 90% occupancy. Mondays and Fridays remain low-use days, with attendance significantly below early 2020 levels.
In Texas, cities like Houston, Dallas, and Austin report weekly occupancy rates near 60%, outperforming the national average.
Major employers including JPMorgan Chase, Google, Amazon, Microsoft, Starbucks, and Salesforce have contributed to the demand for high-end office space, often reducing remote work options and shifting employees into upgraded work environments.
Despite a slowdown in office development caused by rising borrowing and construction costs, the continued strength of Class A+ leasing may support new construction or significant renovations in select markets.
