Hell, I still chomp at the bit for remote work. It's genuinely better in almost every way for me; I get that people have kids and it gets annoying to work from home for those people or that people want to be social: I am not those people, I am sorry. I have ADHD and I am not able to actually sit and focus in the office, especially these torrid open office environments that have been foisted on me for 15 years.
However, I believe being close to an office where everyone can come together is of crucial importance.
The company I work for is remote first, and we come together from all across europe once a quarter. It's hugely expensive to do this and that money would be better spent on more important things. Not only that, when we come together people are tired, uncomfortable and often overcompensate. A week trip will usually result in 9-10 days of low productivity for example.
But during that week so much communication happens, so many things become unblocked and what's more important: people start to trust each other a bit more.
I had a psychologist tell me once: "it takes 9 good interactions to offset 1 bad one", well, most interactions while working over the internet are stressful and anxiety inducing. Interactions in person can be pleasant, helpful, enjoyable.
Going for lunch or playing a board game (or having a drink) can all help build a rapport and doing it casually is only possible if you can actually drop by.
I sincerely think being physically located near your closest colleagues can seriously help with company culture and paper over obtuse over-communication which is required if you are doing remote-first correctly.
All of this of course applies triple to managers; who's entire job is communication.