I don't see how downtowns without offices would thrive. The main attraction of downtowns where people live are that they don't need cars because work and social lives are within walking distance.
The idea quickly falls apart once you need a car to get to either social events or to work.
Remember the reason that offices are empty is because people are working from home. So there is no "commute to work." Social and shopping needs would still be met inside the city.
The main attraction of living downtown is there's lots of life with the people around: plentiful meetups for whatever you like, more neighbors for friends, more people to socialize. There's a large, living, breathing, constantly-changing ecosystem that's self-rearranging of bars for all tastes (including non-alcoholic); chain stores and indie ones; parks for to frolic; restaurants and food trucks of all shapes and flavors; entertainment venues; parades to savor; sports games, stand-up, concerts and shows; city festivals, conventions, expos; all that and more within walkable distance.
If your work is nearby, that's just chef's kiss, then.
Back when I worked out of an office in an industrial park in the suburbs of Boston, a number of the younger/single folks would reverse-commute in from the city. Since it was against the prevailing flow of traffic it was a pretty easy drive for them.
The idea quickly falls apart once you need a car to get to either social events or to work.