Any high-rise that is being built these days has timers controlling the lighting system. To be code compliant, all office type buildings have to have an average light level of 1 foot candle at night for emergency lighting. This means that energized lights will be scattered throughout the office building. Some of these lights are close to windows, and those are the ones you see.
If the cleaning staff turns lights on, they will be turned off within an hour by the timer. Power is pretty expensive, so owners of these buildings make sure there are systems in place to guarantee lights won't be unnecessarily burning all night.
Not to mention that there are crazies out there (like me) that work late into the night and need the light to see.
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