It seems like a very unusual desire to specifically want to work in-person with people on the same project, rather than working in close collaboration with friends/coworkers you get along with. There are many people I've worked with that I absolutely don't want to be in the same room as, and some that made lab-type environments fun.

You don't get to choose with in-office. Everyone's forced to work together. Is there something about working on livestream/groupchat video that you don't find as an acceptable alternative? My office has a dedicated session for that once a week if people want to join, though it's been pretty empty since lockdown lifted.