Why 2019 was a game-changer for Spaces

The iconic Chrysler Building may dominate the skyline of New York city, but it’s also one of the landmarks of a fantastic year for Spaces too. The past 12 months have been a real game-changer for Spaces, with a host of new openings across North America that included some truly remarkable locations.

Spaces goes sky high

The pinnacle of 2019’s highlights occurred earlier this year when Spaces took over part of the first floor of the 77-storey, 1,046ft Chrysler at 405 Lexington Avenue. It’s the largest Spaces location in the Big Apple and even has its own elevator, with tenants able to enter the building’s stunning Art Deco lobby and be taken straight up to the new designer offices – state-of-the-art and bathed in natural light.

“We were able to negotiate a one-of-a-kind private entrance to our Spaces location by having the building owner turn a historic elevator cab around and open into our exclusive lobby which opens directly onto East 42nd Street,” says Michael Berretta, IWG’s Vice President of Network Development. It may have been arguably the most high-profile Spaces opening last year – but the Chrysler Building certainly wasn’t the only high point in what Berretta calls a “breakthrough” year.

From Hell’s Kitchen to Grammercy 

There were also several new openings in New York City for those looking for office space in NYC. From Hell’s Kitchen to Grammercy: Spaces’ got you covered. These sites are pretty big in size and designed to boost your productivity and get those creative juices flowing. “These larger-format sites are of great benefit for our customers and clients that need the ability to create private environments within our spaces, to get the best of what we offer in creative flexible workspaces while enjoying our top-notch services,” adds Berretta.

Whereas landlords may not always have understood the potential of partnering with creative, flexible workspace, the growth in the industry’s vast appeal was now resulting in more and more of them coming on board this year. “Most importantly it marked a very important transition, as major US landlords recognized the value of Spaces as a partner in new developments versus a traditional tenant in their buildings,” says Berretta.

Other locations included the opening of Seattle Pioneer Square. A modern building on the city’s waterfront, located in a vibrant hub of tech and creative industries, all surrounded by a thriving area buzzing with art galleries, boutiques and cosy bars for afterwork drinks with your favorite coworkers. The opening of Santa Monica’s Water Garden Development was another high point, when you can part of a 17-acre media and entertainment district that plays host to companies such as Oracle, Amazon, Microsoft, Sony, HBO Hulu and CBS.

Flexible workspace revolution

The host of openings and the boost brought by landlords coming onboard with the flexible workspace revolution helped make 2019 an incredible year all round, Berretta believes. So let’s raise our glass to an equally successful 2020.

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