Calgary's downtown looks to recover as more businesses move to hybrid work model post-pandemic
CTV
As more businesses move to the hybrid work model, it's taking a toll on Calgary's economy.
As more businesses move to the hybrid work model, it's taking a toll on Calgary's economy.
Alex Halat says the COVID-19 pandemic changed his perspective on how to use his company's office space.
"It taught us that we don't need to necessarily have big, lavish offices and an abundance of space. It taught us that a lot of our staff have the ability now to work from home," he told CTV News.
So, Halat and his team at Star Valley Oilfield Services decided to downsize, going from 13 offices to nine, and moving from the core to a building in the west end for cheaper rent and a better space.
"You build a nice little living room, a nice boardroom with a big TV, now you have the ability to host events for your customers, so it's been great. It's been a win-win. Staff love coming to the office," he said.
According to a July report from CBRE Research, Calgary has the highest downtown office vacancy rate in the country at 31.5 per cent.
That's compared to the national average of 18.9 per cent.
