Everything you need to know about two of the top coworking operators in Australia. Compare WeWork and Spaces today.
Though challenging on the surface, finding the right coworking or serviced office space is easier than ever with global players like WeWork and Spaces ready to help your business succeed locally or globally.
Before making the move. there are a few essential questions to consider:
Of course, there are more factors at play than just these four. Using other variables such as value for money, facilities, experience, and more, here's the lowdown on two of the most prominent coworking operators in Australia: WeWork and Spaces.
Founded over a decade ago in New York by Miguel McKelvey and Adam Neuman, WeWork has since become a massive global entity. It has a whopping 800 locations around the world, including 20 premium serviced offices spread out across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth. Overall, it manages over 4 million square metres.
Initially, the company aimed to create flexible shared workspaces for entrepreneurs, specifically those in the technology field. Over the years, it's held fast to its vision of creating environments where people from various industries can join forces to do their best work. WeWork casts a wide net these days, but it still caters best to startups, freelancers, and businesses of all sizes with some WeWork locations having entire floors available for larger companies.
The company is perhaps best known for its particular aesthetic, which includes innovative architecture, modern layouts, and trendy common spaces. Many offices have glass walls, which is great for creating a communal feel. The end result infuses its coworking spaces with a casual coffee shop vibe. In fact, micro-roasted coffee, tea, and fruit water are free to patrons at every location — and some of them even offer beer on the house.
All of WeWork's facilities allow 24/7 coded access, and in the COVID-19 era, buildings have been further enhanced to increase sanitization, improve airflow, and make physical distancing easier.
Median Office Rate Per Person | $646 |
Median Coworking Desk Rate | $244 |
Flex Floorspace Available (sqm) | 12,490 |
Available Desk Capacity | 2,956 |
See the full range of available WeWork offices.
A global coworking and serviced offices provider, Spaces has nine premium offices in Australia, including its newest location Two MQ in Melbourne’s business district. All Spaces locations are built to meet the needs of today's professionals. Here's what you can expect:
Spaces is proud to serve innovative, forward-thinking professionals and companies of all sizes. Its location designs emphasize creativity and collaboration, while its European-inspired Business Center and networking events encourage members to build their connections and grow their ventures. Known for creating collaborative breakout spaces with soft furnishings, meeting room tables for casual conversations, and impressive onsite cafes.
Spaces understand that every workspace needs variety, and it has designed its membership accordingly. Members can access modern and luxuriously designed end-of-trip facilities (as well as the lockers). Plus, with extra amenities like personal lockers, members can feel at home and ready to do their best work. Spaces private and secure spaces are accessible 24/7, and coworking spaces are open during business hours. There’s also the option to book a meeting room in advance or tuck into a phone booth spontaneously when the need arises.
Spaces designed its offices to help people do their best work. A wide variety of options are available, from empty spaces that members can customize to fully serviced and furnished locations. Contracts are flexible, allowing members to choose different options as their businesses grow. Plus, with extra amenities like personal lockers, members can feel at home and ready to do their best work.
Median Office Rate Per Person | $688 |
Median Coworking Desk Rate | $550 |
Flex Floorspace Available (sqm) | 2,170 |
Available Desk Capacity | 631 |
See the full range of available Spaces offices.
We look at a number of factors to help you compare these two serviced office operators and find the best office for your business.
WeWork | Spaces | |
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The Skinny | WeWork has fast become one of the largest coworking platforms in the world. Known for its inspiring and innovative architectural designs, premium office space, and global services, WeWork has effectively created a community that reaches a worldwide audience. | Spaces offer luxurious working environments with a unique entrepreneurial spirit. With 13 modern locations across Australia, Spaces strives to create unique communities within each centre. |
Prices | $$$$$ | $$$$$ |
Style | Modern and trendy office layouts | Luxurious, highly customisable layout |
Vibe | Casual, relaxed & community driven | Creative, vibrant, professional |
Space | Dedicated desks, Coworking memberships (WeWork All Access), Private offices, Suites, Enterprise Suites, Entire floors with private meeting rooms | Private Offices, Coworking membership, Dedicated desks, Virtual Office, Meeting Rooms. |
Best for: | Startups, Freelancers, Small businesses, Enterprise clients looking for a private floor, and those traveling interstate | Those seeking an energetic community of positive and open-minded business thinkers who love to meet new people. |
Locations | 15 premium centres located across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, North Sydney, Perth, Brisbane, Pyrmont, Bowen Hills, Northbridge | 15 Modern locations across Sydney, Surry Hills, Melbourne, Richmond, Brisbane, Perth. |
Available Offices on Rubberdesk | 170 | 87 |
Available Desks on Rubberdesk | 2,956 | 631 |
Meeting Rooms | 200 | 23 |
Virtual Offices | N/A | Business address, mail handling, telephone answering, access to a global network of business lounges. |
Amenities | Turnkey Office Space Open desk & Private office Layouts Desks & office chairs Filing cabinets Lighting Privacy vinyl Air conditioned Reception desk with meet and greet Unlimited WIFI Printers & copiers Paper & pens Paper Shredding Incoming & outgoing mail service Mail & package, notification, sorting & delivery Unlimited tea & coffee Community network events |
Dedicated business telephone, number & line per person Dedicated Business Address Mail handling (Mail and parcels delivered to your desk daily Internet connection with uncapped data per person (shared bandwidth) Air conditioned Furniture Printers Monthly Centre Events Dedicated business address with mail handling meeting rooms and boardrooms |
Access & Security | Keycard Activation / Deactivation with 24/7 Access Guest Management / Keycard Access Security Guards & Video Surveillance Fire & Safety Personnel Lift Access Private parking (by location) Wheelchair access |
24/7 Access to your office, 24/7 Security (security may vary by centre) Lift Access Setup - Keys, access cards |
Facilities | Conference Rooms Meeting Booths & Nooks Phone Booths Classrooms A/V Capability White Boards & Dry Ease Markers Furniture & Equipment Coffee machine Fridge Outdoor space Private bathroom Private eating area Private shower Shared kitchen Private showers (End of Trip) |
Breakout space Access to meeting rooms Coffee Machine Fridge Outdoor space Shared kitchen Private bathroom Private showers Private eating area Private shower Shared kitchen Meeting rooms All facilities management & outgoing costs including electricity & water |
Extras | Additional fees apply for conference/meeting rooms beyond monthly available credits | Enjoy complimentary access to 3600 business lounges, including airport lounges worldwide as each occupant will receive a Businessworld Gold Membership Free access to 50 Million Wi-Fi hotspots globally Ability to transfer your liability to any of the IWG locations globally ability to upgrade and expand into project offices at any stage during your agreement term |
Privacy | Many offices have glass walls though frosting is available for those businesses with privacy concerns | Spaces private offices are highly customisable to suit your business' privacy needs Confidential calls can be taken in private phone booths |
Customers | Slack, Puma, KPMG | AT&T, Google, Toshiba |
Average Google Star Rating | 4.7 | 4.7 |
Author: Tom Petryshen, VP Growth & Analytics, Rubberdesk
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