Upcoming Events

Jul 19
Featured Featured All day

WORKTECH 2022 Chicago

Sep 22
Featured Featured All day

WORKTECH 2022 New York

Oct 25
Featured Featured October 25 - October 26

Coworking Summit

Nov 10
Featured Featured November 10 - November 11

Coworking Europe

View Calendar

Latest News

56% Of Workers Won’t Consider Working For A Company That Doesn’t Share Their Values

56% Of Workers Won’t Consider Working For A Company That Doesn’t Share Their Values

July 1, 2022
IWG Shares Hit 52-Week Low

IWG’s Shares Hit 52-Week Low Of $2.32 Per Share

July 1, 2022
Are Zoom Layoffs An Inevitable Part Of The Future Of Work?

Are Zoom Layoffs An Inevitable Part Of The Future Of Work?

July 1, 2022
Bankers Are Concerned About A Seemingly Inevitable Recession

Bankers Are Concerned About A Seemingly Inevitable Recession

June 30, 2022
How The Fifteen-Minute City Could Transform Local Communities

How The Fifteen-Minute City Could Transform Local Communities

June 30, 2022
Barclays Pay Increase Reveals A Need To Go Back To Basics

Barclays Pay Increase Reveals A Need To Go Back To Basics

June 30, 2022
Load More

Follow Us On Instagram

Follow

    The Instagram Access Token is expired, Go to the Customizer > JNews : Social, Like & View > Instagram Feed Setting, to refresh it.
  • Events
  • Marketplace
  • Resources
  • Press Releases
  • Business Directory
  • Advertise
  • About Us
  • Contact
Monday, July 4, 2022
Allwork.Space
The FUTURE OF WORK® since 2003
Find A Flexible Office Here
  • All Topics
    • Business
    • Biophilic Design
    • Career Growth
    • Coliving
    • Collaboration
    • Coworking
    • CRE
    • DE&I
    • Digital Nomads
    • Future of Work
    • Home Office
    • Human Resources (HR)
    • Hybrid Work
    • Investment
    • Leadership
    • Marketing
    • Mental Health
    • Mergers & Acquisitions
    • Office Furniture
    • Productivity
    • PropTech
    • Remote Work
    • Self-care
    • SMBs
    • Social Impact
    • Space-as-a-Service
    • Technology
    • Virtual Office
    • Work-life Balance
    • Workforce
    • Workplace Design
    • Workplace Wellness
  • Business
    Young Entrepreneurship Is On The Rise

    Young Entrepreneurship Is On The Rise

    How Much Does Elon Musk’s Opinion On Remote Work Matter

    How Much Does Elon Musk’s Opinion On Remote Work Matter?

    The-History-of-Networking

    The Past, Present, and Hybrid Future of Networking

    Pandemic Resilience V. Future Resilience

    Is Your Company Pandemic-Resilient Or Future-Resilient?

    Change Or Control Here What Drives People To Become Entrepreneurs

    Change Or Control? Here’s What Drives People To Become Entrepreneurs

    The Meeting Room Of The Future

    The Meeting Room Of The Future

    What Is Cryptocurrency’s Role In The Future Of Work

    What Is Cryptocurrency’s Role In The Future Of Work?

    Generational Shift How Do We Create Space That’s Attractive To All Ages

    Generational Shift: How Do We Create Space That’s Attractive To All Ages?

    What Does Elon Musk’s Twitter Acquisition Mean For Its Future?

    Elon Musk Acquires Twitter For $44 Billion: A Comprehensive Timeline

  • Tech
    Would You Give Your Staff the ‘Immersive Treatment’?

    Would You Give Your Staff the ‘Immersive Treatment’?

    Christoph Fleischmann Of Arthur | Bridging The Hybrid Work Divide With Mixed Reality

    Christoph Fleischmann Of Arthur | Bridging The Hybrid Work Divide With Mixed Reality

    Decentralized Cloud Services

    Could Companies Benefit From Implementing Decentralized Cloud Services?

    Here Are 5 Benefits Virtual Reality Brings To Soft Skills Training

    Here Are 5 Benefits Virtual Reality Brings To Soft Skills Training

    Why You Can’t (And Shouldn’t) Escape The Metaverse

    Why You Can’t (And Shouldn’t) Escape The Metaverse

    Outdated Digital Tools and Technology are a Key Factor in the Great Reshuffle

    Outdated Digital Tools and Technology are a Key Factor in the Great Reshuffle

    Are-podcasts-the-new-tech-perk

    How Do You Train And Retain Tech Talent? Use Podcasts, Says CEO Jen Grogono

    Is-TikTok-Gen Z’s-LinkedIn

    Is TikTok Gen Z’s LinkedIn?

    Technology Tips That Can Help Businesses Return To The Workplace

    Technology Tips That Can Help Businesses Return To The Workplace

  • Marketing
    Want Your Coworking Newsletter to Actually Convert

    Want Your Coworking Newsletter to Actually Convert? Start by Keeping It Simple, Fun, and Consistent

    5 Pros Share How To Use Instagram To Grow Your Coworking Business

    5 Pros Share How To Use Instagram To Grow Your Coworking Business

    Want To Wow Coworking Members

    Want To “Wow” Coworking Members? It All Starts With (The Right) Insights

    6 Free, High-Quality Photo Sites To Level Up Your Marketing

    6 Free, High-Quality Photo Sites To Level Up Your Marketing

    The Creator Economy Is Dramatically Changing Marketing Practices, Here’s Why

    The Creator Economy Is Dramatically Changing Marketing Practices, Here’s Why

    Everything You Need To Know About Google My Business, And How To Ace It

    Everything You Need To Know About Google My Business, And How To Ace It

    Nothing Beats In-Person Communication, But These Online Tools Come Pretty Close

    Nothing Beats In-Person Communication, But These Online Tools Come Pretty Close

    6 Tips For Capturing More Website Leads

    6 Tips For Capturing More Website Leads

    “This Is Marketing” By Seth Godin Is A Celebration Of The Unchanging Truths About Marketing

    “This Is Marketing” By Seth Godin Is A Celebration Of The Unchanging Truths About Marketing

  • Design
    Neocon 2022 Explored Biophilic Office Design

    Neocon 2022 Explored Biophilic Office Design, But What Is It?

    Multifamily Design Can Inform The New Office

    How Multifamily Design Can Inform The New Office

    Leveraging Design To Support Untethered Working And A Hybrid Future

    NeoCon 2022: Leveraging Design To Support ‘Untethered Working’ And A Hybrid Future

    Putting Women’s Safety At The Heart Of Urban Design

    Putting Women’s Safety At The Heart Of Urban Design

    A Company Should Never Stand Still, So Why Should Your Space

    A Company Should Never Stand Still, So Why Should Your Space?

    Working Outside A Critical Component In The New Ecosystem Of Work

    Working Outside: A Critical Component In The New Ecosystem Of Work

    As The Pandemic Subsides, What Will The Modern Office Look Like? Neocon 2022 Has Some Answers

    As The Pandemic Subsides, What Will The Modern Office Look Like? Neocon 2022 Has Some Answers

    FlexiSpot’s Pro Plus Standing DeskE7

    We Reviewed FlexiSpot’s Pro Plus Standing Desk (E7)

    Breaking The Employee Burnout Cycle With Workplace Strategy

    Breaking The Employee Burnout Cycle With Workplace Strategy

  • Work-life
    5 Reasons Why Dogs Make Pawfect Coworkers

    5 Reasons Why Dogs Make Pawfect Coworkers

    Take Your Dog To Work Day

    “Take Your Dog To Work Day”: How Fido Can Help Companies Retain Employees

    Sitting for too long is bad for your health and here’s what you can do about it

    Sitting For Too Long Is Bad For Your Health And Here’s What You Can Do About It

    Will The 2020s Be Like The Roaring 20s

    Will The 2020s Be Like The Roaring 20s?

    The State of Worker Mental Health

    Report: The State of Worker Mental Health 

    Using Technology For Wellness Initiatives

    Using Technology For Wellness Initiatives: How SaaS Can Help

    Here's Why Taking A Stand On Diversity Matters For Companies

    Here’s Why Taking A Stand On Diversity Matters For Companies

    Why it Pays to Promote Mental Health in the Workplace

    Why It Pays To Promote Mental Health In The Workplace

    The Pandemic has Created a Coach Career Boom

    The Pandemic has Created a Coach Career Boom

  • CRE
    What Is The Impact Of Hybrid Working On Space Optimization

    What Is The Impact Of Hybrid Working On Space Optimization?

    What Can We Expect For The Future Of Office Occupancy?

    What Can We Expect For The Future Of Office Occupancy?

    How Commercial Real Estate Can Master The Art Of Data

    How Commercial Real Estate Can Master The Art Of Data

    The New Real Estate Portfolio Of Hybrid Companies

    The New Real Estate Portfolio Of Hybrid Companies

    The Time Has Come For The Built Environment To Report Its Scope 3 Carbon Emissions

    The Time Has Come For The Built Environment To Report Its Scope 3 Carbon Emissions – Here’s How

    How Net Zero Targets Affect Your Office Buildings And The Future Of Work

    How Net Zero Targets Affect Your Office Buildings And The Future Of Work

    Is Adam Neumann Making The Pivot To Landlord

    Is Adam Neumann Making The Pivot To Landlord?

    5 Commercial Real Estate Predictions For 2022

    5 Commercial Real Estate Predictions For 2022

    Green Goes Mainstream

    Green Goes Mainstream (And It’s Totally Worth The Investment)

  • Coworking
    How To Create A Sense Of Belonging In Your Coworking Space

    How To Create A Sense Of Belonging In Your Coworking Space

    GCUC 2022 Brought Coworking Positive Energy to Seattle

    GCUC 2022 Brought Coworking’s Positive Energy to Seattle

    IWG’s Shares Have Dipped, But There’s More To The Story

    IWG’s Shares Have Dipped, But There’s More To The Story

    Automate-these-3-tasks-for-your-coworking-space

    Automate These 3 Tasks For Your Coworking Space

    Industrious-announces-expansion

    Jamie Hodari On “Massive Opportunity Ahead” As Industrious Expands Internationally

    GCUC 2022

    Coworking’s Newsmakers Gather in Seattle for GCUC 2022

    Here’s-What-The-“FundamentalsOfFlex”-Means-For-Coworking-Owners

    Here’s What The “Fundamentals Of Flex” Means For Coworking Owners

    How To Become An Eco-Friendly Workspace

    How To Become An Eco-Friendly Workspace (And Why You Should)

    WeCrashed We Watched

    WeCrashed…We Watched: Here’s Our Review of the New Apple+ Limited Series

  • Workforce
    Will inflation impact pay raises?

    Will Inflation Impact Pay Raises?

    Managers Need to Start Preparing for Interviews Differently

    Hiring Managers Need to Start Preparing for Interviews Differently

    Is The ‘Remote Work Window’ About To Close?

    Is The ‘Remote Work Window’ About To Close?

    Here’s Why Curiosity And Authenticity Go A Long Way In The Workplace 

    Here’s Why Curiosity And Authenticity Go A Long Way In The Workplace

    Where Is The Future Of Work For The LGBTQ Community

    Where Is The Future Of Work For The LGBTQ+ Community?

    Facing Un Retirement The Cost Of Living Is Forcing Retirees Back To Work

    Facing ‘Un-Retirement’: The Cost Of Living Is Forcing Retirees Back To Work

    What Habits Will Be Brought Back Into The Office

    What Habits Will Be Brought Back Into The Office?

    1 in 3 Workers Say They Seek New Employment With Education Opportunities

    1 in 3 Workers Say They’ll Seek New Employment with Education Opportunities

    When Work Does Not Happen At Work

    When Work Does Not Happen At Work, Take A Look At Management

  • Daily Digest
  • Podcast
  • Subscribe
  • All Topics
    • Business
    • Biophilic Design
    • Career Growth
    • Coliving
    • Collaboration
    • Coworking
    • CRE
    • DE&I
    • Digital Nomads
    • Future of Work
    • Home Office
    • Human Resources (HR)
    • Hybrid Work
    • Investment
    • Leadership
    • Marketing
    • Mental Health
    • Mergers & Acquisitions
    • Office Furniture
    • Productivity
    • PropTech
    • Remote Work
    • Self-care
    • SMBs
    • Social Impact
    • Space-as-a-Service
    • Technology
    • Virtual Office
    • Work-life Balance
    • Workforce
    • Workplace Design
    • Workplace Wellness
  • Business
    Young Entrepreneurship Is On The Rise

    Young Entrepreneurship Is On The Rise

    How Much Does Elon Musk’s Opinion On Remote Work Matter

    How Much Does Elon Musk’s Opinion On Remote Work Matter?

    The-History-of-Networking

    The Past, Present, and Hybrid Future of Networking

    Pandemic Resilience V. Future Resilience

    Is Your Company Pandemic-Resilient Or Future-Resilient?

    Change Or Control Here What Drives People To Become Entrepreneurs

    Change Or Control? Here’s What Drives People To Become Entrepreneurs

    The Meeting Room Of The Future

    The Meeting Room Of The Future

    What Is Cryptocurrency’s Role In The Future Of Work

    What Is Cryptocurrency’s Role In The Future Of Work?

    Generational Shift How Do We Create Space That’s Attractive To All Ages

    Generational Shift: How Do We Create Space That’s Attractive To All Ages?

    What Does Elon Musk’s Twitter Acquisition Mean For Its Future?

    Elon Musk Acquires Twitter For $44 Billion: A Comprehensive Timeline

  • Tech
    Would You Give Your Staff the ‘Immersive Treatment’?

    Would You Give Your Staff the ‘Immersive Treatment’?

    Christoph Fleischmann Of Arthur | Bridging The Hybrid Work Divide With Mixed Reality

    Christoph Fleischmann Of Arthur | Bridging The Hybrid Work Divide With Mixed Reality

    Decentralized Cloud Services

    Could Companies Benefit From Implementing Decentralized Cloud Services?

    Here Are 5 Benefits Virtual Reality Brings To Soft Skills Training

    Here Are 5 Benefits Virtual Reality Brings To Soft Skills Training

    Why You Can’t (And Shouldn’t) Escape The Metaverse

    Why You Can’t (And Shouldn’t) Escape The Metaverse

    Outdated Digital Tools and Technology are a Key Factor in the Great Reshuffle

    Outdated Digital Tools and Technology are a Key Factor in the Great Reshuffle

    Are-podcasts-the-new-tech-perk

    How Do You Train And Retain Tech Talent? Use Podcasts, Says CEO Jen Grogono

    Is-TikTok-Gen Z’s-LinkedIn

    Is TikTok Gen Z’s LinkedIn?

    Technology Tips That Can Help Businesses Return To The Workplace

    Technology Tips That Can Help Businesses Return To The Workplace

  • Marketing
    Want Your Coworking Newsletter to Actually Convert

    Want Your Coworking Newsletter to Actually Convert? Start by Keeping It Simple, Fun, and Consistent

    5 Pros Share How To Use Instagram To Grow Your Coworking Business

    5 Pros Share How To Use Instagram To Grow Your Coworking Business

    Want To Wow Coworking Members

    Want To “Wow” Coworking Members? It All Starts With (The Right) Insights

    6 Free, High-Quality Photo Sites To Level Up Your Marketing

    6 Free, High-Quality Photo Sites To Level Up Your Marketing

    The Creator Economy Is Dramatically Changing Marketing Practices, Here’s Why

    The Creator Economy Is Dramatically Changing Marketing Practices, Here’s Why

    Everything You Need To Know About Google My Business, And How To Ace It

    Everything You Need To Know About Google My Business, And How To Ace It

    Nothing Beats In-Person Communication, But These Online Tools Come Pretty Close

    Nothing Beats In-Person Communication, But These Online Tools Come Pretty Close

    6 Tips For Capturing More Website Leads

    6 Tips For Capturing More Website Leads

    “This Is Marketing” By Seth Godin Is A Celebration Of The Unchanging Truths About Marketing

    “This Is Marketing” By Seth Godin Is A Celebration Of The Unchanging Truths About Marketing

  • Design
    Neocon 2022 Explored Biophilic Office Design

    Neocon 2022 Explored Biophilic Office Design, But What Is It?

    Multifamily Design Can Inform The New Office

    How Multifamily Design Can Inform The New Office

    Leveraging Design To Support Untethered Working And A Hybrid Future

    NeoCon 2022: Leveraging Design To Support ‘Untethered Working’ And A Hybrid Future

    Putting Women’s Safety At The Heart Of Urban Design

    Putting Women’s Safety At The Heart Of Urban Design

    A Company Should Never Stand Still, So Why Should Your Space

    A Company Should Never Stand Still, So Why Should Your Space?

    Working Outside A Critical Component In The New Ecosystem Of Work

    Working Outside: A Critical Component In The New Ecosystem Of Work

    As The Pandemic Subsides, What Will The Modern Office Look Like? Neocon 2022 Has Some Answers

    As The Pandemic Subsides, What Will The Modern Office Look Like? Neocon 2022 Has Some Answers

    FlexiSpot’s Pro Plus Standing DeskE7

    We Reviewed FlexiSpot’s Pro Plus Standing Desk (E7)

    Breaking The Employee Burnout Cycle With Workplace Strategy

    Breaking The Employee Burnout Cycle With Workplace Strategy

  • Work-life
    5 Reasons Why Dogs Make Pawfect Coworkers

    5 Reasons Why Dogs Make Pawfect Coworkers

    Take Your Dog To Work Day

    “Take Your Dog To Work Day”: How Fido Can Help Companies Retain Employees

    Sitting for too long is bad for your health and here’s what you can do about it

    Sitting For Too Long Is Bad For Your Health And Here’s What You Can Do About It

    Will The 2020s Be Like The Roaring 20s

    Will The 2020s Be Like The Roaring 20s?

    The State of Worker Mental Health

    Report: The State of Worker Mental Health 

    Using Technology For Wellness Initiatives

    Using Technology For Wellness Initiatives: How SaaS Can Help

    Here's Why Taking A Stand On Diversity Matters For Companies

    Here’s Why Taking A Stand On Diversity Matters For Companies

    Why it Pays to Promote Mental Health in the Workplace

    Why It Pays To Promote Mental Health In The Workplace

    The Pandemic has Created a Coach Career Boom

    The Pandemic has Created a Coach Career Boom

  • CRE
    What Is The Impact Of Hybrid Working On Space Optimization

    What Is The Impact Of Hybrid Working On Space Optimization?

    What Can We Expect For The Future Of Office Occupancy?

    What Can We Expect For The Future Of Office Occupancy?

    How Commercial Real Estate Can Master The Art Of Data

    How Commercial Real Estate Can Master The Art Of Data

    The New Real Estate Portfolio Of Hybrid Companies

    The New Real Estate Portfolio Of Hybrid Companies

    The Time Has Come For The Built Environment To Report Its Scope 3 Carbon Emissions

    The Time Has Come For The Built Environment To Report Its Scope 3 Carbon Emissions – Here’s How

    How Net Zero Targets Affect Your Office Buildings And The Future Of Work

    How Net Zero Targets Affect Your Office Buildings And The Future Of Work

    Is Adam Neumann Making The Pivot To Landlord

    Is Adam Neumann Making The Pivot To Landlord?

    5 Commercial Real Estate Predictions For 2022

    5 Commercial Real Estate Predictions For 2022

    Green Goes Mainstream

    Green Goes Mainstream (And It’s Totally Worth The Investment)

  • Coworking
    How To Create A Sense Of Belonging In Your Coworking Space

    How To Create A Sense Of Belonging In Your Coworking Space

    GCUC 2022 Brought Coworking Positive Energy to Seattle

    GCUC 2022 Brought Coworking’s Positive Energy to Seattle

    IWG’s Shares Have Dipped, But There’s More To The Story

    IWG’s Shares Have Dipped, But There’s More To The Story

    Automate-these-3-tasks-for-your-coworking-space

    Automate These 3 Tasks For Your Coworking Space

    Industrious-announces-expansion

    Jamie Hodari On “Massive Opportunity Ahead” As Industrious Expands Internationally

    GCUC 2022

    Coworking’s Newsmakers Gather in Seattle for GCUC 2022

    Here’s-What-The-“FundamentalsOfFlex”-Means-For-Coworking-Owners

    Here’s What The “Fundamentals Of Flex” Means For Coworking Owners

    How To Become An Eco-Friendly Workspace

    How To Become An Eco-Friendly Workspace (And Why You Should)

    WeCrashed We Watched

    WeCrashed…We Watched: Here’s Our Review of the New Apple+ Limited Series

  • Workforce
    Will inflation impact pay raises?

    Will Inflation Impact Pay Raises?

    Managers Need to Start Preparing for Interviews Differently

    Hiring Managers Need to Start Preparing for Interviews Differently

    Is The ‘Remote Work Window’ About To Close?

    Is The ‘Remote Work Window’ About To Close?

    Here’s Why Curiosity And Authenticity Go A Long Way In The Workplace 

    Here’s Why Curiosity And Authenticity Go A Long Way In The Workplace

    Where Is The Future Of Work For The LGBTQ Community

    Where Is The Future Of Work For The LGBTQ+ Community?

    Facing Un Retirement The Cost Of Living Is Forcing Retirees Back To Work

    Facing ‘Un-Retirement’: The Cost Of Living Is Forcing Retirees Back To Work

    What Habits Will Be Brought Back Into The Office

    What Habits Will Be Brought Back Into The Office?

    1 in 3 Workers Say They Seek New Employment With Education Opportunities

    1 in 3 Workers Say They’ll Seek New Employment with Education Opportunities

    When Work Does Not Happen At Work

    When Work Does Not Happen At Work, Take A Look At Management

  • Daily Digest
  • Podcast
  • Subscribe
No Result
View All Result
Allwork.Space
No Result
View All Result
  • Business
  • Tech
  • Marketing
  • Design
  • Work-life
  • CRE
  • Coworking
  • Workforce
  • Daily Digest
  • Podcasts
  • Subscribe
KYR Survey Leaderboard Size (Allwork.Space) June 2022
Home Business

2019 In Review: 10 Highs And Lows From The Flexible Workspace Industry

by Jo Meunier
December 23, 2019
in Business
Reading Time: 9 mins read
A A
In Review

From consolidations, IPOs and big name implosions, to greater focus on wellbeing and sustainability, the past 12 months have been action-packed. Here’s what you need to know!

Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare to Network
  • 2019 was without a doubt an eventful year for the flexible workspace industry. 
  • Failed IPOs, consolidations, wellness, and expansions dominated the headlines of coworking stories this year. 
  • Check out Allwork.Space’s 5-minute wrap of 2019’s most notable, and memorable, industry events.

Well, that was eventful! 2019 marked another year of huge changes in the coworking and flexible space industry. From consolidations, IPOs and big name implosions, to greater focus on wellbeing and sustainability, the past 12 months have been action-packed.

In case you blinked, here’s a 5-minute wrap of 2019’s most notable, and memorable, industry events.

1. It was the year that WeWork imploded.

Fiverr - Leaderboard

2019 produced a very public crash for The We Company. So much happened in the space of just a few months that WeWork (almost) deserves a timeline of its own. Here’s a condensed version of what happened to WeWork in 2019:

  • January: Amid early speculation of an IPO, the company rebranded from WeWork to The We Company. In the same month, its biggest backer Softbank cut its investment from $16 billion to $2 billion.
  • March: Worrying news emerged that the company’s losses had more than doubled in the previous year.
  • April: The company ended speculation by filing for an IPO with a huge $47 billion valuation.
  • July: Then-CEO, Adam Neumann, cashed out more than $700 million from the company.
  • August: The We Company officially filed to raise $1 billion in an initial public offering on August 14. But the publication of its prospectus instantly set alarm bells ringing.
  • September: The month it all came crashing down. WeWork withdrew its IPO after details of the company’s major financial losses came to light. Billions of dollars were shaved off its valuation. Co-founder Adam Neumann stepped down as CEO. Drastic measures were put into action – including thousands of staff redundancies.
  • October: Adam Neumann received a $1.7 billion ‘golden handshake’ to walk away from the company he co-founded. And as if the brand’s fall from grace wasn’t public enough, it emerged that the WeWork saga will be made into a documentary.

What now for The We Company? Its credibility is in poor state; landlords are backing away from leases and an investigation into alleged ‘self-dealing’ is underway. But with SoftBank in control and two CEOs at the helm, can the company repair itself and start afresh? Plenty of other flexible workspace operators are running profitable, sustainable businesses. Will WeWork finally balance the books in 2020? With a new decade looming, there’s no time like the present to wipe the slate clean and start a new – and profitable – journey.

2. Boundaries continued to blur between coworking and coliving.

Onto happier things, and 2019 saw much more activity from the coliving sector. What’s the link with coworking? Think about it: Hospitality – Service – Space – Amenities – Flexibility. You’ll find all of these elements in a coworking space, but you’ll also find them in hotels and coliving spaces. Our industries are remarkably similar, and it follows that the boundaries are blurring between them.

One rising star is Common, which announced multiple new coliving locations in 2019. “It’s an indicator of our growth and the maturation of the space,” said Brad Hargreaves, founder and CEO of Common. “You’re going to see people approach this from a few directions. We’re the first to reach this scale, but we won’t be the last.”

3. Human experience took centre stage.

Using a workplace is an experience. So if you want members and clients to keep coming back to your space, that experience must be a positive one.

In 2019 we saw greater focus on the workplace experience, including how to use design to drive positivity at work, and how technology can help improve the usability of a space.

We also saw the development of the ‘destination workplace’ and human-centric design to create an inspiring, comfortable space that meets its end-users’ needs, complete with aesthetic appeal and user-friendliness.

4. There were expansions. Lots of them.

WeWork wasn’t the only one stealing headlines in 2019. Knotel took massive strides throughout the year, and over the past 12 months we’ve seen expansions and growth from dozens of other operators around the world.

Here are just a few of them (in no particular order): Breather, Venture X, Serendipity Labs, Industrious, CommonGrounds, The Commons, Huckletree, OYO, Impact Hub, Spaces, The Office Group, Premier Workspaces, Office Evolution, The Wing, JustCo, KMC, Hub Australia, and BE.Spoke.

We also saw more IPO news. Chinese brand Ucommune, which has been expanding aggressively across the Asia Pacific region since its inception in 2015, revealed its intention to file for an IPO in 2020 – although skeptics are already comparing it unfavourably with WeWork’s failed attempt to go public.

On a more positive note, essensys – a tech supplier to the flexible workspace sector – successfully completed its IPO in May 2019 and has since released its first pre-close trading update.

5. Asia is booming. Still.

It seems there’s no stopping the growth of flexible workspace in Asia. It’s the fastest-growing market in the industry, with high-growth cities including Hong Kong, Bangalore, Singapore, and Melbourne.

Research predicts that coworking spaces in the Asia Pacific region will account for 38% of global coworking spaces, and overtake EMEA and the Americas, by 2021.

6. It was a year of acquisitions, mergers, partnerships, and sales.

It has been another year of consolidation, acquisitions and partnerships within the flexible workspace industry.

To name just a few, SquareFoot bought PivotDesk from Industrious; IWG sold its Japanese business for £320 million; and Industrious acquired TechSpace.

Also, WeWork acquired Spacious, a startup that transforms empty restaurant space into popup coworking. However, following its failed IPO, WeWork shut down Spacious just four months after buying it.

7. Plants and greenery in the workspace improve wellness.

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: you simply can’t have enough plants in the office. When we surround ourselves with plantlife, greenery and views of nature, we feel better. It’s good for the soul. And when we feel better, we’re more productive at work. Philip Vanhoutte, co-founder of Ozadi, a movement to integrate nature into our work lives, explains the science behind it.

8. Coworking showed its true colours as community made a comeback.

Community is the beating heart of the coworking movement. But as real estate giants and corporations wade deeper into the coworking industry, with headline-grabbing takeovers and big-dollar valuations, it has a tendency to bury the real treasure of coworking: the communities that thrive inside its spaces.

This year, coworking once again found its voice. We’ve seen numerous examples of how workplace communities have come together to support one another, perhaps none more so than for the social impact sector. This time last year, the All Good Work Foundation expanded to Silicon Valley, and now it has launched a new fundraising drive to provide workspace to another 125 social impact organizations in 2020.

All Good Work isn’t the only organization that’s active in the social impact sector. In Athens, Impact Hub acting as a catalyst for startups with a social conscience, and in the US, Hera Hub is making good on its mission to help over 20,000 women launch and grow their businesses by the end of 2020.

9. 2019 saw its fair share of challenges…

Sadly it’s not all good news. 2019 saw plenty of challenges, and some workspaces suffered heavily as a result. Central Working, which had 11 sites across the UK, collapsed into administration, as did The Clubhouse in London. IWG is reportedly in talks to take over both brands.

Another casualty was female-oriented Austin workspace, The Refinery, which closed its doors a little more than a year after opening. Founder Hayley Swindell-Wakefield said that, with Austin rents skyrocketing, operating a sustainable business became unattainable.

Another challenge currently facing all flexible workspace operators is the much-publicised WeWork saga. The business model of coworking is now under greater scrutiny. Spooked by WeWork’s massive losses, would-be partners, investors and landlords are digging deeper into the long-term profitability and viability of flexible spaces.

And as for the future, what happens in a downturn? Like any business, this would pose challenges for workspaces – particularly those in competitive or saturated areas. However, at times of uncertainty, businesses tend to flock to flexible space and away from long-term leases in order to reduce risk and maintain greater control over their expenditure.

10. …but when one door closes, another one opens.

One thing we’ve learned this year is that flexible space isn’t bulletproof. There are chinks in the armour – but with each passing year, that armour gets a little stronger.

We’ve come to accept that coworking is the new normal, and we’re not alone. After all, it’s hard to argue with a sector that has over 35,000 flexible workspaces around the world and represents 521 million square feet of flexible space. What’s more, flexible space is continuing to grow, and is expected to represent 13% of total US office space by 2030.

Flexible Space: The Future of Work?

It has certainly been a year of highs and lows for the flexible workspace industry. At the close of the year and on the brink of a new decade, we can be sure of one thing: our sector has serious growth on the agenda, and it’s here to stay.

But with that mission comes a significant amount of change. Our industry is evolving, fast. And whatever form or shape coworking takes in the years to come, there is one common element that binds all of us together: flexibility.

The business landscape is increasingly shifting to become more agile, more mobile, and more flexible – and whatever challenges our industry faces, we have the opportunity to thrive by offering businesses what they need most: professional services, quality spaces and facilities, positive experiences, and flexibility.

In short, a place that helps people do their best work and be more productive.

Our industry’s future is bright, and we can’t wait to see what 2020 has in store. Happy New Year!

fresh books leaderboard
Tags: ColivingCoworkingDesignTechnologyWork-life Balance
ShareTweetShare
Jo Meunier

Jo Meunier

Jo is Allwork.Space's Senior Editor for the UK and Europe. Jo has worked within business centre and coworking circles since 2009, researching and contributing written features for numerous industry publications. She reports on the latest market news and delves into local issues with one main objective: to champion the flexible workspace industry and its members.

Relevant and Recommended For You

Young Entrepreneurship Is On The Rise

Young Entrepreneurship Is On The Rise

4 days ago
How Much Does Elon Musk’s Opinion On Remote Work Matter

How Much Does Elon Musk’s Opinion On Remote Work Matter?

3 weeks ago

The Past, Present, and Hybrid Future of Networking

2 months ago

Is Your Company Pandemic-Resilient Or Future-Resilient?

2 months ago
No Result
View All Result
Essensys June
Nexudus May
UltraSoft June
Yardi June
AVO Medium Rectangle

PODCASTS

Listen Now

Future Of Work Podcast

61 Episode
Subscribe
  • Add to Queue
  • Share
    Facebook Twitter Linked In

  • Add to Queue
  • Share
    Facebook Twitter Linked In

Christoph Fleischmann of Arthur | Bridging the Hybrid Work Divide with Mixed Reality

June 23, 2022
40 min
  • Add to Queue
  • Share
    Facebook Twitter Linked In

Nasim Köerting of The Office Group | Embracing the New World of Work Through Design

February 24, 2022
29 min
  • Add to Queue
  • Share
    Facebook Twitter Linked In

Larry English of Centric Consulting | The Remote Work Revolution: A Better Way to Live and Work

January 13, 2022
34 min
  • Add to Queue
  • Share
    Facebook Twitter Linked In

Award Winning Author & Physician | Dr. Saundra Dalton Smith on The 7 Types Of Rest We Need To Thrive

January 6, 2022
36 min
  • Add to Queue
  • Share
    Facebook Twitter Linked In

Tori Shepherd of The WELL Building Institute | The WELLness Building Revolution

December 15, 2021
30 min
New ad Remote

News and Features

Business

Tech

Marketing

Design

Work-life

CRE

Coworking

Workforce

Daily Digest

Podcast

Resources

Marketplace

Events

Press Releases

FlexSpace, Coworking
and Office Space

Los Angeles

New York

Chicago

Washington, D.C.

Houston

Dallas

Miami

San Francisco

Atlanta

Philadelphia

Seattle

Austin

Company

About Us

How to Write for Us

Our Editorial Process

Contact

Advertise

FlexSpace

Terms Of Use

FlexSpace FAQs

Privacy Policy

Connect with Allwork.Space

Twitter

Linkedin

Facebook

Instagram

YouTube

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Google Podcasts

©2022 Allwork.Space  l  Exploring the FUTURE OF WORK® since 2003.

No Result
View All Result
  • Daily Digest
  • Podcasts
  • Events
  • Resources
  • Marketplace
  • Business Directory
  • Subscribe
  • Advertise
  • Find Space
  • About Us
-
00:00
00:00

Queue

Update Required Flash plugin
-
00:00
00:00