In this episode of the ASHB Smarter Homes & Buildings Podcast, James Carlini and Darrin Mylet delve into the uncertain future of major U.S. cities like New York, Chicago, and San Francisco as their commercial real estate markets continue to face significant challenges. With increasing vacancies and plummeting property values, the duo argues that traditional property appraisals fail to capture the full scope of liabilities that now weigh heavily on urban commercial spaces. They explore how the pandemic has irrevocably altered the landscape, with many cities facing a downward spiral, and discuss the critical need for 21st-century assessments that take into account factors like technological obsolescence, crime, and the realities of remote work. Carlini and Mylet emphasize that without these updated evaluations, cities and their commercial properties risk sinking further, while also offering insights into potential paths for revitalization.