Downtown still is the place to meet people, make deals, stay smart, etc. What is no longer a place to is shuffle papers, maintain books, process payroll, store and retrieve records, etc. This is how every bar and restaurant in Manhattan can be packed but the offices can be 75% empty.
75% of the office workers are engaged solely in such mundane tasks as shuffling papers, maintaining books, etc. and could thus stay at home.
When 75% stay at home, the 25% who meet people, make deals, etc. won't suffice to "pack" the bars and restaurants.
Regards,