How Gen Z is driving the coworking revolution

Coworking spaces across the U.S. are booming — but managing them efficiently is still a big challenge. From unpredictable occupancy to high operational costs and member engagement struggles — every space has its hurdles. In our latest blog, we explore the biggest coworking management challenges in the U.S. and share smart strategies to turn them into opportunities using technology. 👉 Discover how Pickspace’s all-in-one coworking management software helps automate operations, build stronger communities, and boost profitability. https://lnkd.in/djXsEGR7 #Coworking #CoworkingSpaces #PropertyManagement #Pickspace #WorkspaceSolutions #CoworkingSoftware #RealEstateTech #HybridWork

Community coworking isn’t just desks—it’s local vitality. As someone building an entrepreneurial ecosystem in Marshfield, The Coven Marshfield gives our neighbors a “third place” to work, learn, and connect. The outcome is practical and profound: better workdays for individuals, and a stronger downtown for everyone. Why I believe in it: People genuinely thrive in coworking. Research shows members report meaningfully higher levels of thriving than traditional offices—more control over how they work and a real sense of community. Harvard Business School Business Review indicates that Hybrid is here to stay—and local options matter. HR leaders overwhelmingly view hybrid as a core recruiting and retention tool, and distributed, close-to-home work hubs are part of that shift. Main Street gains when “plug-in spaces” multiply. Shared workspaces and community-minded businesses don’t just sell things; they strengthen civic life and local economies. Main Street America highlights how third places build social fabric. Cafés, coworking, and community rooms create low-barrier spaces where ideas (and friendships) form—exactly what small towns need to keep talent rooted. Local coworking is rising—even as big chains wobble. Neighborhood spaces closer to where people live are thriving because they deliver convenience + connection. It’s also good business. According to the US Chamber of Commerce, shared services keep costs down while expanding networks and visibility for soloists and small teams. At The Coven Marshfield, that looks like: quiet focus rooms, bookable meeting space, walkable coffee (hi, Uptown Coffee ☕), and serendipity with creators at The 715 shops. It’s a simple equation: accessible space + friendly structure = more momentum for people and for our town. If you’re curious about coworking—or want to compare notes on what’s working in your community—DM me for a tour or a quick chat. Let’s keep building places that help people do great work and feel at home. #Coworking #HybridWork #ThirdPlaces #EconomicDevelopment #SmallTownStrong #Marshfield #TheCovenMarshfield #TheVaultMarshfield

RC/W Co-Investigator Diane-Gabrielle Tremblay’s new article in the Open Journal of Social Sciences explores how working environments impact workers and opportunities for collaboration. Using qualitative methods—semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis—this study examines the benefits and limitations of working conditions in coworking spaces. This article focuses on non-metropolitan areas where empirical studies on coworking are limited, addressing a noted research gap. Challenging claims raised by open innovation theory and open space designs commonly found in coworking environments, the article asks: Do co-working spaces really foster creativity and innovation? This findings show workplace collaboration is not spontaneous, but depends heavily on facilitators to actively encourage the exchange of knowledge and promote interaction amongst coworkers. The findings show that working conditions matter, though experiences can vary across workers. While some might adapt easily, for many spatial layout, noise, and distractions can hinder workers’ productivity. This study offers practical advice for facilitators and community managers to foster generative, collaborative, and productive coworking environments. Thanks to Dr. Tremblay for this research! Read here: https://lnkd.in/e4SCNDcY

"....An October report from consultancy The Instant Group found 74 percent of companies worldwide have adopted some sort of hybrid or flex work model. The top three strategies driving change in this market are a shift to hybrid work, demand for flexibility and cost reduction, the report said. “Smaller growth markets, such as popular commuter towns or suburban areas, present greater investment opportunities, often achieving flex rates up to five times higher than traditional leasing rates,” the report stated.....“The market for suburban flexible office is more prevalent than before,” Peter Greenspan, WeWork’s global head of real estate, said via email. “Many are looking for workspaces closer to residential areas, either for part of the work week or the whole week. These locations help shorten commutes, foster the balance employees desire, and offer a community-oriented atmosphere. I believe this market is poised for continued growth.”" By David Levitt via Commercial Observer https://lnkd.in/eN2PDnin

Recently at work, my manager asked me to research 𝗰𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘀 and 𝗰𝗼𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲𝘀 around Ikeja GRA for a new project our company is exploring. At first, I wasn’t entirely sure what the ultimate goal of the research was, and was enjoying hopping from one cafe to another coworking space😅, until I noticed a pattern that completely shifted my perspective. And I’d like to share those insights with you 👇 These cafés and coworking spaces aren’t just trendy hangouts for remote workers and creatives. They’re quietly becoming 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵-𝘆𝗶𝗲𝗹𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘁𝘀; and it’s happening faster than most people realize. My findings revealed a powerful dual-engine model for income generation. Here’s what stood out: 👇 💰 The Cash Flow Insights • Café Engine: Average spend per customer ranges from ₦2,500–₦4,000. With realistic weekday traffic of 30–60 customers, that’s about ₦𝟳𝟱,𝟬𝟬𝟬–₦𝟮𝟰𝟬,𝟬𝟬𝟬 in daily revenue. • Coworking Engine: Desks go for ₦3,000–₦5,000 daily, or ₦𝟲𝟬,𝟬𝟬𝟬–₦𝟭𝟬𝟬,𝟬𝟬𝟬 monthly (per desk). Even with 𝟭𝟬 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗸𝘀, that’s an extra ₦30,000–₦50,000 daily in steady income. Combined, a hybrid café–coworking hub could generate ₦𝟭𝟬𝟬,𝟬𝟬𝟬–₦𝟮𝟵𝟬,𝟬𝟬𝟬 daily — roughly 𝟰𝟬–𝟰𝟱% more than running either business model alone. 📈 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻 Cafés that double as coworking hubs showed 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘂𝗲 𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗿 than standalone spaces. They’re maximizing both space and time; serving coffee in the morning, productivity in the afternoon, and community all day long. That’s the hybrid advantage. 💼 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗔𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗲 So, what’s driving their success? It’s not just Wi-Fi or good coffee; it’s the experience. The top-performing spaces shared three traits: ✨ Aesthetic appeal 📶 Reliable internet 🤝 Community events that keep people coming back Spaces combining these three consistently showed higher weekday foot traffic. They’re not just selling a service; they’re curating a lifestyle. And for investors, that matters. 🌍 The Bigger Picture Recent research shows Africa’s coworking market is expanding at a compound annual growth rate in the high teens (≈19.5% per Next Move Strategy Consulting) and about 15% in some regional forecasts. With startups, hybrid work, and freelancers fueling demand — especially in Lagos, Nairobi, and Cape Town — supply of flexible, high-quality coworking space is struggling to keep pace in many key markets. 💭 Your Turn. Here's my question to you As lifestyle-driven real estate evolves, do you think this hybrid model could redefine how we think about property ROI in African cities? I'm curious to hear your thoughts. Let’s discuss in the comments 

𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝘀 𝘃𝘀 𝗦𝗸𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘀: 𝗖𝗼𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗜𝘀𝗻’𝘁 𝗗𝗲𝗮𝗱. 𝗙𝗮𝗿 𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗜𝘁 Someone recently emailed me saying coworking is overpriced and due for a crash. I disagree, and here are some numbers that suggest otherwise:  • UK & Ireland now host 3,829 coworking spaces (Q1 2025), with 1,145 in London alone.   • The UK coworking market is valued at USD 1.94 billion in 2025, expected to hit USD 2.86 billion by 2030 (CAGR 8%)   • In Q1 2025, UK flex inventory grew 8.1 % QoQ, 31.6% YoY to over 8.6 million sq ft   • Average desk occupancy across EMEA/UK is 74.7%   • Regional momentum: Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds reporting 18% annual flex / coworking growth   • And corporate demand is rising: 69% say flex spaces boost collaboration, 57% say they increase happiness at work. So is coworking dead or overpriced? The data suggests the opposite. It’s evolving, shifting toward quality, community, hybrid models, and regional hubs. If you’re betting on smart coworking, this moment might be one of its most interesting. If you want to invest in Rebel Workspace before the next boom, get in touch. #RebelWorkspace #Coworking #OfficeTrends #FlexibleOffice #StartupJourney

EDA is pleased to present the November Webinar, Why Coworking Works: Building Resilient Local Economies through Independent Coworking, presented by Kate Dezarnaulds. In this webinar, we’ll explore how locally owned coworking hubs are activating main streets, supporting local enterprise and helping regions attract and retain diverse talent. Far more than shared offices, they’ve become vibrant community anchors fostering innovation, collaboration and a renewed sense of place. Join us to gain insights into how these spaces are building economic resilience through connection, creativity and shared purpose. Key Learnings 🔴 Unlocking local potential - learn how coworking hubs catalyse small business growth, attract professionals to regional centres and diversify local economies 🔴Building community and capacity - discover how independent operators are connecting entrepreneurs, freelancers and remote workers to collaborate, learn and thrive 🔴Creating resilient ecosystems - explore how place-based coworking supports sustainable growth, innovation and social cohesion within communities For more information or to register, visit: https://lnkd.in/gcrUdk3w Don't forget to also register for the October Webinar, Catalysing Innovation: How to Foster Tech Sector Growth Without Breaking the Bank, presented by Katie Stewart. This webinar will explore how economic developers can spark tech growth, engage startups and create meaningful local impact, even with limited resources. The webinar will also include a panel discussion with City of Melbourne's partners in innovation featuring: Andrew Wear, Principal and Founder, Econovation David Linke | Managing Director, EduGrowth Dr Martin Schlegel Martin Schlegel | Chair, Australian Sports Technologies Network (ASTN) The panel will also include an audience Q&A section. Register here: https://lnkd.in/gvkdmMah #EconomicDevelopment #ProfessionalDevelopment #Webinar

What's the secret to retention in coworking? 🧐 I recently had a chat with Guy Baker, CEO at Mantle Space Ltd, one of the Southeast’s largest flex operators, to hear how they grew from a single site to eight interconnected workspaces, with members staying an average of four to five years. Mantle began delivering serviced offices twenty years ago, after Guy bought the derelict Thremhall Park, near Stansted, developing it into a thriving 25,000 square foot office hub, which has since expanded to over 40,000 square feet 🚀 Central to its success is a commitment to customer care; Guy personally maintains relationships with long-term members, showing genuine hospitality that keeps people coming back. The results speak for themselves: Mantle is now the largest flex operator by desk numbers in the Cambridge area. In this interview, Guy shares... ✨ Mantle's inspiring story across three decades 🔑 The secret to retention in coworking ⚡️ Why understanding the unique needs of members matters 🧱 How to deliver personalised, professional, yet cost-effective, fit-outs ♻️ How to future-proof buildings while improving their sustainability Have a scroll through the highlights below 👇 Thank you, Guy, for sharing your wisdom! And to Leigh-Ann Hewer at Carnsight Communications for connecting us ☺️ Read the full interview over on theinclusivecoworker dot com #coworking #flexiblespace #futureofwork #coworkingcommunity

And it's released! Our fresh Q3 State of Coworking Industry Report reveals a stable U.S. sector covering 152 million square feet across 8,400+ locations. Delve deep into the latest findings: https://lnkd.in/g3e47WNx Here are just a few of this quarter’s highlights: 📍 Los Angeles leads with 322 total locations, followed by Dallas–Fort Worth (310) and Chicago (308). 🏙️ Manhattan remains the densest coworking hub, totaling 12M sq. ft., while cities like Dallas, Atlanta & Denver keep powering national growth. 🚶♀️➡️ Average site sizes sit at 18,000 square feet nationally, with major metros exceeding 25,000–40,000 square feet per location. 💰 Median coworking rates: $30/day and $225/month. 🥇 Regus, HQ, Industrious, Spaces and WeWork are the top 5 U.S. operators. #coworking #flexibleworkspace #hybridwork #remotework #digitalnomad #CRE