Long Island’s Office Space Revolution: How Hybrid Work is Reshaping Commercial Real Estate and Creating New Moving Opportunities

The landscape of Long Island’s commercial real estate is undergoing a dramatic transformation. Businesses are downsizing office space, with 80% having already done so and 75% planning further reductions, fundamentally reshaping how companies approach their physical workspace needs. This shift isn’t just a temporary pandemic response—it’s a permanent evolution that’s creating unprecedented demand for specialized commercial moving services.

The Numbers Tell the Story

The data reveals a striking trend across the region. Some 75% of businesses plan to reduce office square footage next year, according to a survey from hybrid work platform Robin, including responses from over 500 business owners and facilities managers. That’s up 30% from last year. Long Island businesses are particularly affected by this trend, as hybrid work models have reshaped office space needs. Companies are downsizing traditional office footprints or shifting to collaborative workspaces.

The reasons behind this massive downsizing are multifaceted. About 40% of survey respondents said they are currently using only half of their available office space, and only 28% said they are using all of their office. With employees working remotely several days per week, maintaining large office spaces has become financially impractical for many Long Island businesses.

The Financial Imperative

“For companies with a physical presence, the office is easily one of their top three biggest expenses,” according to industry reports. This reality is driving businesses to make strategic decisions about their real estate portfolios. “They’re looking at their strategy from a real estate standpoint to be more ‘just in time’ than what has historically been ‘just in case,'” said Lenny Beaudoin, executive managing director and global lead for workplace strategy at real estate firm CBRE. “So organizations held more space in the past for contingency, and what they’re realizing is, through hybrid work and the way their employees are actually utilizing the space, they can actually reduce some of the space they hadn’t used in the past, because they don’t need it as a contingency like they once did, when everybody was coming to the office every day.”

The Commercial Moving Boom

This widespread downsizing has created a surge in demand for professional commercial moving services across Long Island. As of mid-2025, Long Island continues to experience significant shifts in its commercial landscape. Moving companies are reporting unprecedented activity as businesses relocate to smaller spaces, consolidate multiple locations, or transition to more flexible workspace arrangements.

The complexity of these moves extends beyond simple downsizing. If your company is downsizing, relocating, or closing, we provide comprehensive office liquidation services on Long Island City: Our team efficiently handles the removal, resale, recycling, and donation of office furniture, electronics, and equipment to maximize asset recovery while minimizing waste. This trend is creating new service opportunities for moving companies that can handle both relocation and asset management.

The Storage Solution

One unexpected consequence of office downsizing is the increased need for storage solutions. We provide specialized storage solutions for businesses, including equipment storage during downsizing or temporary storage during office transitions. Many Long Island businesses find themselves in situations where they need to temporarily store excess furniture and equipment while transitioning to smaller spaces or implementing flexible work arrangements.

You might find yourself in a situation where your new office isn’t ready yet, or you need to downsize temporarily. For example, if you are moving to a smaller office for a while, storage facilities can help. They let you keep extra furniture or equipment safe. This way, you won’t clutter your new workspace.

Technology and Flexibility Drive Change

The shift to smaller offices isn’t just about reducing costs—it’s about reimagining how work gets done. Hot-desking has become popular again for example – where staff use whichever workspace is available when they come to the office instead of having a permanent, designated desk. Some companies use apps and other platforms where staff can reserve seating and see which coworkers also plan to work in-office that day. About 90% of companies in hybrid arrangements are using flex seating as a cost-saving measure, up 8% since last year.

The Dunbar Moving Advantage

For Long Island businesses navigating this transition, partnering with an experienced local moving company is crucial. Dunbar Moving, a full-service, fully licensed and insured moving company located in Stony Brook, New York in Suffolk County, Long Island. Our experienced team members are seasoned professionals with a thirty-year track record of local Long Island moving.

What sets Dunbar Moving apart in this evolving market is their comprehensive understanding of both residential and commercial moving needs. Whether you are moving a few boxes, an entire household, an entire office, a piano or valuable antiques, with our professional moving services, you will receive prompt, courteous, fair and reliable service with fair & clear pricing. This versatility is particularly valuable as businesses implement hybrid work models that blur the lines between home and office environments.

Looking Ahead: The New Normal

The hybrid workplace revolution isn’t slowing down. The future of office space is likely to be a hybrid model that combines remote work with strategic use of physical workspaces. The downsizing of office spaces presents both challenges and opportunities for American businesses. By embracing the hybrid workplace model and strategically utilizing office space, including coworking office space, companies can create a work environment that fosters productivity, collaboration, and employee satisfaction in the post-pandemic era.

For Long Island businesses, this transformation represents both a challenge and an opportunity. Those who adapt quickly to smaller, more efficient spaces while maintaining employee satisfaction will likely emerge stronger from this transition. The key is working with experienced professionals who understand the unique logistics of commercial moves in today’s hybrid work environment.

As the commercial real estate landscape continues to evolve, the demand for sophisticated moving and storage solutions will only grow. Companies like Dunbar Moving, with their deep local expertise and comprehensive service offerings, are well-positioned to help Long Island businesses navigate this new era of work. The hybrid workplace revolution isn’t just changing where we work—it’s fundamentally reshaping the entire commercial moving industry.