Shared working spaces started to pop up all over the globe. And now, the US has the most co-working spaces in the world.

Co-working spaces have a colorful history with an origin that dates back to 1995 in Berlin, Germany. The term “coworking” was coined in 1999 and the first coworking space in the form that we’re familiar with today opened in 2002 in Vienna. The San Francisco Coworking Space was one of the first shared working spaces to open in the US. And in 2005, it was considered an unusual concept, which explains not a single person used the space to work for the entire first month that it opened. Other types of shared work space (think Regus and Barrister Suites) have been around for decades, but typically did not have the amenities that “co-working” spaces, as we have come to know them, share.

Without a doubt, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused a major shift in the office environment and employee attitudes. When employees were forced to work remotely from home, many organizations were worried about the potentially negative impacts of the disruption. However, teleworking soon proved to be quite effective and even preferable, and companies recognized that remote work was resulting in potentially reduced costs.

When the world began to reopen and workers could return to their offices, leadership realized that there were more efficiencies when working in the office, but are still attempting to create a Hybrid Work-Week, where employees come in only on certain days of the week. Now, coworking spaces are no longer for freelancers and online entrepreneurs only, but for a rising remote and hybrid workforce.

Trends in Coworking Spaces

In the majority of major cities, demand for conventional offices has decreased while interest in coworking spaces has increased. The US is now recognized as a global leader in terms of coworking real estate with over 80 million square feet of flexible workspaces. With all the competition in the space, coworking spaces need to innovate to keep up. Here are some trends in coworking spaces in a post-pandemic environment.

Niche communities

We expect to see more niche-specific coworking spaces, which target particular types of communities – such as females only, LGBTQ, creatives, tech, or seniors. Like-minded people can come together in a coworking space to feel safe and welcomed, which promotes productivity.

Eco-focused design and practices

Eco-focused spaces don’t only promote sustainable practices but also create an environment that exposes workers to nature, which can lower stress and boost positive moods. These eco-friendly coworking spaces typically go paperless, encourage recycling, and build a natural environment,

To create an eco-friendly culture, these coworking spaces limit artificial lighting, filling the space with natural light through uncurtained windows. Furniture may be made from recycled materials or natural elements such as wood. Eco-friendly coworking spaces also bring in the outdoors with live plants.

Accommodate growth plans for clients

One major benefit of co-working spaces is that they can accommodate a workforce that is constantly changing. If a company needs space for 10-15 new employees they can easily increase the space they rent at a co-working facility, vs. if they were locked into a long-term traditional office lease. Similarly a company can just as easily downsize. This may make co-working spaces more desirable for the immediate future, as companies wrestle with how they see their hybrid workweek going.

For more information on office leasing, and the comparisons of benefits and negatives of a traditional lease vs. co-working space, please do not hesitate to reach out to info@cbicommercial.com