Real estate leaders continue to see the value of coworking

Cushman & Wakefield has published a new report that looks at the perceptions held by corporate real estate executives about flexible workspaces and coworking. Cushman & Wakefield partnered with CoreNet Global to survey more than 550 key CRE executives at organisations around the world.

Participants were asked about their general perceptions of the coworking sector, the pros and cons of using coworking, expected impacts on cost, and past and future employee utilisation of flexible office spaces.

Key findings of the report include:

1. Nearly two-thirds of companies utilise coworking to some degree, and many respondents expect to double their commitment to coworking over the next five years.

“The results show that corporate leaders have a generally positive view of coworking and see flexible space as a growing part of their occupancy strategy,” said David C. Smith, Americas Head of Occupier Research at Cushman & Wakefield. “The percentage of employees with access to flex space is on the rise, and companies increasingly see this as part of a broader solution.”

2. One-third of companies using flexible space report occupancy cost savings of more than 5 percent.

“While this may surprise some, even 20 years ago, the client mix of national and global flexible workplace providers was 51 percent multi-national corporations,” said Melanie Gladwell, Vice President, Americas Head of Flexible Working Solutions at Cushman & Wakefield. “Increasingly, corporate executives recognise that integrating flexible space into their strategy can provide additional value while reducing occupancy costs by enabling them to adapt to major events such as merger activity – 63 percent of companies have stated they are using coworking as part of their office strategy.”

3. Despite an overall positive view of coworking, CRE executives are realistic about the challenges for the workforce.

“Approximately half (48 percent) of respondents see an increased difficulty in maintaining company culture and cohesion when workers are operating out of a shared, coworking location. In addition, a similar number of respondents cited digital security as a potential concern”, the report claims. “Despite stated concerns from CRE executives, national and global flexible workplace providers have a long track record of providing clients with access to necessary digital security mechanisms and offer FINRA compliant offices. Additionally, companies are 50 percent more likely to indicate coworking is an opportunity to increase employee satisfaction than it is a likely deterrent to employee engagement, job satisfaction or efficiency.”

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