Remote work is quickly replacing the traditional office. By 2025, 32.6 million Americans will no longer be required to commute every day to an office and work alongside their direct co-workers. Many people are embracing the transition to the WFH model, but there is still some hesitation about feeling lonely throughout their workday, especially without any social interaction. That is where coworking spaces come in- these spaces are set up so people can complete their work in a communal setting surrounded by others.
Despite the social intention of these spaces, many coworking spaces are failing to truly deliver a community-based environment for their members. Almost 70% of members are claiming that they don’t have any friends outside of their immediate coworkers. Some new spaces are trying to reverse this sentiment by creating social events for members to enjoy, such as happy hours and communal lunches. Some community organizers can also host events in these spaces.
One of the main problems of the coworking model is the very expensive real estate costs associated with renting these spaces. These costs can drive their profitability down by a large margin and also force them to charge high membership fees. Some innovative coworking spaces are choosing to rent out the unused space in bars, restaurants, and hotels, rather than purchasing a fixed space. This method can reduce operating expenses by up to 75%.
Source: Tavern Community
