If there’s one thing to describe coworking spaces nowadays, it’s that most of them are trying to be different. Forget just an office with wifi and a few meeting rooms, today’s coworking spaces feature many amenities, classes and facilities that seem more in line with spas and restaurants.
Some may wonder: why can't an office space just be an office space? Yet in today's market, it makes perfect sense to think outside the box.
In a study by Coworking Resources, the 15-year-old industry is projected to see 21,306 coworking spaces globally by the end of 2019—boasting an approximate 43-percent increase between 2018 and 2022.
Naturally, with more supply, there’s greater competition. This explains why more than 900 spaces shut down in the past three years—signaling that attracting and retaining new users is more important than ever, according to Madison Maidment, COO of Coworker.
Coworking spaces have to go above and beyond to stay competitive and thrive—developing niches spaces for certain businesses (legal, fashion and beauty, blockchain, film production), offering unique experiences such as coliving or childcare, plus getting creative by opening spaces in underutilized real estate like hotel business centers or within stores.
So what are some ingredients for success in 2019?
Beyond convenience (think a turnkey solution or multiple locations within a city), secure wifi, free coffee and meeting rooms; coworking spaces must deck out unusual features, amenities, architecture and experiences to distinguish themselves. The objective isn’t just to “attract new members but also enable them to curate strong communities.”
With that in mind, Maidment was asked for the most unique coworking spaces. Here are some of her top picks.
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