The Rise of Co-working Office Spaces

Co-working office spaces are thriving. This trend has developers looking closely at the movement. Co-working spaces generally refer to community office spaces where a variety of individuals share membership and come together to work. Members typically include freelancers, self-employed people, and even small groups of corporate employees.

Co-working is more than just a shared office space. There are specific ideals behind the movement. There is an emphasis on community, openness, collaboration, accessibility, and sustainability. Members often sign a manifesto agreeing to uphold these qualities within the workspace.

There are numerous reasons for the popularity of co-working environments. First, workers report a greater feeling of authenticity. Because there is no competition and typical office politics, people feel they can be more at ease and authentic. Most co-working spaces are accessible 24/7. This means people can work at any time, giving them immense flexibility. However, having an actual office gives them much needed structure. Many freelancers and self-employed individuals find it difficult to create necessary structure in their work schedules while working from home. The strong sense of community is another benefit coworkers find helpful.

Additionally, large corporations are investing in the use of these co-working spaces. It is not uncommon for a company to send certain individuals or groups to these spaces. It seems to help spark creativity and gets employees out of the mundane environment of the corporate office.

Real estate developers are watching this trend and beginning to realize the potential. This is a new sector that could prove to be profitable as more people work remotely and freelancing becomes the norm. Traditional office spaces may be a dying breed over the coming decades.