A decade ago, a new way of working in the office disrupted the workspace sector. The co-working model slowly found its feet and has not looked back since. COVID-19 brought unprecedented changes to the business world and the workspace sector was one of the first to be affected. Here we are going to talk about co-working spaces in 2021.

The workspace sector will see a steady rise as vaccines go into effect and the economy improves. Corporates still believe in the work-from-home (WFH), but employees find it hard to keep up with this trend. This could be counterproductive.

The future of co-working is uncertain. This new workspace model will undergo significant changes to meet the needs of freelancers, entrepreneurs, and office workers.

What modifications can co-working make to thrive and move ahead? These are the trends that will define coworking in the next year.

Office Decentralization

Many employees work in large corporate offices that are multi-storied. This is changing. Offices may not allow large crowds to gather at the same place due to safety concerns. This will allow for the decentralization and optimization of office spaces.

A ‘hub and spoke model’ will be in effect. This means that a large corporate office will have both a central office’ as well as a number of smaller, or satellite office’ offices spread out across the city or across the country. The office of tomorrow will be a network made up of smaller, more flexible, and safer places. This will benefit employees as well as the company. It will also reduce commute time and increase productivity.

Tech-Enabled Workplaces

Corporates must think beyond the traditional office because the pandemic has altered the working environment. It will be a priority to use next-generation office technology and collaboration tools to provide a personal and seamless workplace experience that allows people to work efficiently. Tech-enabled workspaces are those that connect all workspaces, including the office, coworking space, and WFH. Technology such as mobility, automation, and artificial intelligence (AI), will allow employees to be connected, even if they are not physically present.

Flexible, hybrid space

The “new normal” in the workspace sector will be determined by the preferences of the occupants, not what the coworking space prefers. Flexible co-working spaces will be required in terms of space and times. Occupants will be able to demand a safe, tech-enabled space while only paying for the hours they use it.

Realtors or landlords who own big spaces will be forced to go hybrid. They will have to remodel their spaces. A 10-story office space that used to house two large companies may be modified to allow for several smaller businesses.

Corporates Are Invited To Collaborate

Big corporates have had enough time to see the value of leasing smaller spaces with all amenities and facilities. The co-working model was once brushed under the rug by biggies. It is now being viewed as a to-the rescue’ option. Corporates should consider co-working spaces that can be modified to make them more appealing. This is a plug-and-play, ready-to-occupy model that will save money and time.

Safety And Wellness

Safety and wellness are two aspects that no workspace model should overlook. The safety and well-being of employees will be top priorities. Safety and wellness will be more prominent, from ensuring comfort through great workspace design and cleaner air around workplaces to reducing pollution.

Market Consolidation

Workspace aggregators will see a lot of attention as employees and corporates look for flexible work arrangements. Aggregators will be key to facilitating access to flexible, tech-enabled, and cost-effective workspaces. To ensure they don’t lose out on the “new normal”, big real estate companies with large pockets will invest in or buy these aggregators. A second strategy is to invest or collaborate with co-working brands in search of capital to grow.

Co-working will be redesigned to meet the new norm in the workspace sector. The model will allow coworking to be more flexible and customizable, which will make it a viable option for the future. If you would like to learn more about co-working spaces in 2021 contact us today!