The flexible office sector suffered badly in the Covid-19 pandemic. With the vast majority of white collar workers instructed to set up shop in their spare rooms or kitchens, many venues simply shuttered their premises.
However, the sector was also well positioned to bounce back once restrictions were lifted. After all, many employees found that they could work perfectly well from home and that they certainly didn’t miss the commute, something that was particularly true in London.
The situation left company bosses with something of a dilemma. They still wanted to have offices in order to bring people together to foster collaboration and creativity, even if only for a few days a week.
At the same time, they realised that they needed less space and, given the uncertainty in the jobs market, certainly didn’t want to tie themselves into long leases. Flexible offices provided the obvious solution.
The result was a marked increase in both demand and transactions. But far from being a one off phenomenon, it appears that flexible offices’ popularity is continuing. CBRE, to take just one example, recorded a 30% increase in the number of desks transacted in London Q1 2024 versus Q1 2023.
“The increase was primarily driven by demand from corporate occupiers seeking project space on agreements ranging from 12 to 36 months,” the company said in its Q1 flexible offices sector report.
“The City Fringe and West London markets both saw large numbers of desks transact throughout Q1 2024, accounting for 37% and 32% of the total number of desks that transacted, respectively,” it added.
Below, we highlight five of the coolest flexible offices available in the capital.
180 Borough High Street, Borough, by Fora – marketed by Office Freedom
With the arrival of The Shard and surrounding developments, not to mention the major commercial hub that is More London, the wider Borough neighbourhood experienced an uptick in popularity.
In addition to the fantastic transport links available at London Bridge Station, including multiple Underground lines and overground services, the area is also within short walking distance of major attraction such as Tate Modern and Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre.
Fora’s venue at 180 Borough High Street is well positioned to take advantage of all of the above. The building boasts tastefully decorated office and multiple meeting rooms, including a board room, as well multiple breakout spaces and a fully stocked kitchen.
Occupiers’ wellbeing needs are also catered for, with an onsite gym complete with personal trainers and a top floor lounge that boasts terraces overlooking the local area, including impressive views of The Shard among much else.
Import Building, Poplar, by Republic – marketed by Trilogy Real Estate, LLP
Republic is a multi-award-winning next-generation campus with state of the art offices, restaurants, coffee shops, a gym and a spectacular public realm. It is home to a raft of businesses and academic institutions at the cutting edge of innovation and creativity and is within easy reach of Canary Wharf, the City and Stratford via public transport.
The Import Building itself offers 275,000 sq ft of creative workspace over nine floors and can be leased in parallel with space in the Export Building. Curated fitness and wellness programmes are available to all tenants, as are regular business and networking events. Tenants also benefit from on-site gym, restaurants and cafes.
22 Tudor Street, Blackfriars, by Office Space in Town – marketed by Office Freedom
Located in on the edge of the City and close to the West End – as well as the Thames – 22 Tudor Street features individually themed and fully serviced meeting rooms, spacious client lounges and generous breakout spaces – including one in the shape of a hot air balloon.
The building also boasts numerous facilities to help boost occupiers’ health and wellbeing, including individually controlled air conditioning, sit-stand desks and ergonomic chairs as standard, as well as a gym studio, cycle storage and showers.
22 Tudor Street is just a four-minute walk from Blackfriars underground and mainline station, while Farringdon, Southwark, Mansion House and Bank stations are all within easy walking distance.
The White Cube Building, Hoxton, by Belcor Flex – marketed by BELCOR, City Fringe
Companies that are interest in London’s artistic heritage should definitely check out The White Cube Building.
Located in Hoxton Square, the building was previously home to the White Cube gallery, which once exhibited exhibitions from some of the infamous Young British Artists, also known as YBAs, in the 1990s and 200s. White Cube vacated the site a while but has set up two further galleries in London and in art hotspots around the world.
Today, the White Cube Building plays host to three rare and unique private office spaces, all of which include internal meeting rooms, private kitchens, call booths, break out space and toilets and showers.
Hoxton Square continues to be a hub for the arts sector, but is also recognised as such for both media and technology. Within easy walking distance of the Square Mile, the area also boasts multiple transport links from Old Street and Shoreditch High Street.
The Bottle Factory, Southwark, by Fabrix – marketed by Levy Real Estate LLP
The Bottle Factory is a former ginger beer bottle factory, located on Ossory Road, just off the Old Kent Road in the London Borough of Southwark. The immediate area surrounding the development is currently benefiting from extensive regeneration plans and The Bottle Factory will play its part in the transformation of the area.
The building is only a short distance from London Bridge, Bermondsey, Peckham, and Elephant & Castle, all of which are served by a multiple rail, tube and bus routes. The areas are also home to a high number of vibrant amenities such as Peckham Levels, Frank’s Cafe, Maltby Street Market and Mercarto Metropolitano.