A decade ago, he cofounded the first full-service global coworking consultancy, OpenWork Agency, which in April 2023 spun off to create CoworkingConsulting.com. David and his partners have helped clients launch coworking businesses in places such as Nairobi, Singapore, Bahamas, Dubai, and numerous locations across the USA.
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In the ever-evolving landscape of the commercial real estate industry, a term that has been gaining substantial traction is “flexible leasing model.”
Traditional office models are increasingly shifting towards a more flexible approach, but what does this mean in practical terms? The answer lies in two key interpretations of flexibility – one for the end users, the companies operating within these spaces, and the other for the building owners themselves. Understanding these divergent yet interconnected perspectives is crucial for grasping the potential of the coworking model in transforming the commercial real estate sector.
Flexibility from the Tenant’s Perspective
For tenants, the flexible leasing model represents an innovative solution to several long-standing challenges in managing real estate costs. This model, primarily characterized by shared workspaces, brings forth a range of benefits for those who seek to optimize their utilization of commercial real estate.
- Cost Savings: One of the most immediate advantages is the potential for significant cost savings. The flexible leasing model eliminates the need for a significant upfront investment in office infrastructure, reducing overhead costs considerably.
- Long-term and Short-term Flexibility: Traditional leases often bind companies to long-term commitments, which can be an issue for businesses in their growth phase or those operating in volatile markets. The flexible model allows for scalability, offering the ability to expand or contract space according to business needs.
- Access and Metrics: This model allows companies to have broader access to prime locations that might have been unattainable under a traditional lease. Moreover, shared workspaces often come with advanced management systems that provide useful metrics on space usage, enabling companies to make data-driven decisions.
Flexibility from the Building Owner’s Perspective
On the flip side, the flexible leasing model brings a new set of opportunities and challenges for building owners. Here are some key points they must consider:
- Occupancy: Shared workspace models often lead to higher occupancy rates. With more businesses opting for flexible leases, there is a lower risk of unoccupied space, which can be a significant drain on resources.
- Long-term Stability: While the flux of tenants might seem like a potential drawback, the diverse tenant base can provide a level of stability. The risk associated with a single tenant vacating a large space is mitigated when that space is distributed among multiple tenants.
- Margins and Building Valuation: While the flexible leasing model might entail more operational involvement, it can potentially yield higher margins in the long run. Moreover, buildings operating successful coworking spaces may see an increase in their valuation due to the attractiveness of the model to modern businesses.
- Role Transformation: The building owner’s role transforms from a passive landlord to a more active participant in creating and managing a workspace community. This change can be challenging but also provides an opportunity for differentiation and value addition.
The flexible leasing model, anchored in the coworking approach, is reshaping the commercial real estate landscape. It promises to offer solutions to age-old problems faced by both tenants and building owners, albeit from different perspectives. By understanding the metrics and value propositions important to each party, we can better navigate this new wave of commercial real estate and leverage its potential to the fullest.