Luxury Co-Working Spaces On The Rise

Stepping into The Work Project’sco-working spaces, the experience is more akin to checking into a high-end hotel rather than clocking into a bustling open-space office.

Gone are the bean bags and game rooms, trappings meant to attract young entrepreneurs. Instead, members are given access to luxurious office spaces with an art gallery and vertical garden.

Established in 2016, The Work Project is the fourth largest co-working operator in Singapore, with five luxury premium spaces in the island, and one location in Hong Kong. In Capital Tower alone, the operator oversees 50,000 sqft of space across three different levels, featuring 800 work stations and an in-house premium catering service. Roughly 20% of this expansive area is dedicated to training workshop and conference facilities, popular amongst corporates that want to hold training sessions and regional gatherings, according to The Work Project founder and CEO Junny Lee.

Design, performance and service “What you can typically find in the market is co-working spaces with some nice furniture, and it pretty much just ends there,” said Lee. “But I think luxury is so much more than just a couple of small design aspects.”

The Work Project considers luxury onthree fronts, according to the founder, which justifies the premium price for more established entrepreneurs and corporates. First is in the space’s design, which did not scrimp on materials — be it from luxury fabrics used in top hotels and sourced from different parts of the world, to top-of-the line furniture from makers such as Ralph Lauren.

The second aspect of luxury which the operator focuses on is in the space’s performance. “It’s what often happens with co-working spaces, you find nice design details but when it actually comes to the workspace itself, the performance is not so good,” said Lee.