Flexible Workspace Providers Venture Into The Metaverse

The metaverse continues to be explored as a viable office solution for hybrid and remote workers. Workspace providers are making moves showing that the metaverse could play a pivotal role in reshaping how employees collaborate online.    

Clockwise, which operates 15 physical flexible workspaces across the U.K. and Europe, announced today that it will launch its own virtual office space in the metaverse called the Clockwise Campus, as reported by Bdaily News.  

While the company claims they are launching the first ever office space in the metaverse, there are others who are experimenting with virtual office spaces as well. Facebook currently offers Meta Horizon Workrooms, which acts as “an immersive virtual office where you can meet teammates, brainstorm ideas, share presentations and get things done, whether you’re wearing a Meta Quest headset or joining from a 2D screen.” Other notable companies such as Gather and Teamflow, are also exploring online collaboration in virtual environments.  

Clockwise COO Alexandra Livesey stated that the company’s metaverse office will operate much like its physical office spaces but on a larger scale — free from the restrictions of square footage and physical building limitations. The Clockwise Campus, which is set to launch in Autumn 2023, will include dedicated meeting rooms, desk spaces, breakout spaces, and call zones. 

As more companies like Clockwise invest in the metaverse and explore its potential for workplace collaboration, the question remains on how widely the Metaverse will be adopted in the future of remote and hybrid work arrangements.  

The metaverse has the ability to create an immersive, limitless virtual environment for collaboration, networking, and creativity, which could lead to a change in the way professionals connect with others in the business world.  

If successful, the company’s approach might encourage other flexible workspace providers to explore the metaverse and incorporate similar virtual office spaces into their own offerings. However, data privacy and security concerns, digital fatigue, or the need for new skills and training are questions that remain surrounding metaverse adoption.  

As the metaverse continues to evolve, its impact on the coworking industry and the future of work will depend on how well companies understand and harness its potential while addressing these challenges.