The first modern coworking office, The Hat Factory, opened in San Francisco in 2005. This model quickly gained popularity in Europe, especially in cities like Berlin, London, Amsterdam, and Paris, where entrepreneurs, freelancers, and startups sought flexible spaces tailored to their dynamic work needs.
Compared to their American counterparts, European coworking spaces stand out for their diversity and unique style. Many are located in historic buildings such as former factories, townhouses, or heritage spaces, emphasizing the local cultural context. Numerous operators prioritize sustainability, incorporating eco-friendly solutions in workspace design, such as energy-efficient technologies and recycled materials.
Over time, coworking evolved into a more comprehensive model known as flex offices. Flex offices combine the benefits of coworking with traditional offices. They offer flexible rental terms, adaptability to users’ changing needs, and a wide range of additional services, such as private offices, conference rooms, and modern technological infrastructure.
The COVID-19 pandemic further accelerated this trend, as employees and companies sought solutions that combined remote work with access to professional office spaces. Flex offices, addressing these needs, have become a key element of the modern commercial real estate market.
Coworking, and later flex offices, has transformed how we perceive office work. They have made remote and hybrid work the norm, increasing job mobility and fostering cross-sector collaboration. By 2020, the number of coworking spaces in Europe exceeded 7,000, and flex offices began playing a crucial role in shaping the modern work model.
From the first coworking spaces to versatile flex offices, the evolution of this model highlights how the needs of employees and organizations are changing. Flexibility, accessibility, and innovation remain key features of these spaces, which continue to adapt to the dynamic realities of the modern job market.
