But where the office space is located could shift from high-cost cities such as New York, San Francisco and Chicago to cities with lower taxes and living costs, such as Denver, Charlotte, Atlanta and metro regions in Texas and Florida.

Over the last decade companies have shifted to more open work environments that require less space per employee (decreasing from 242 square feet to 214 square feet for each), the report said, but the pandemic means companies will need more space per employee for social distancing. Black Creek forecast a net wash for office square footage.

Sparked by the pandemic, many office tenants will likely shift at least some employees from big-city office towers with high rents, packed elevators and many workers relying on public transit to a hub-and-spoke model, the real estate investment firm forecasted. That will increase tenant demand for suburban office buildings that offer more space at a lower cost and are closer to employees homes. 

The report offered insights into the challenges for many works of working remotely over time. 

A majority of respondents said they wanted to be in the office for face-to-face meetings, socializing with colleagues and impromptu conversations. Working in isolation, over time, tends to produce diminished productivity and engagement, according to EQ Office CEO Lisa Picard, cited in the report. 

Collaborating with other employees and staying in the loop about others' projects is more difficult, particularly for jobs that place a premium on company culture, require creative interactions and provide mentoring and training, according to the Gensler survey cited.

Respondents—including Millenials and Gen Zs—also said they found it difficult to avoid distractions, advance their careers and maintain work-life balance working remotely.