Responding to what it sees as a rise in co-working demands within the heart of London, Spacemade is set to be opening a second venue within the West End.
“Since unveiling our first Marylebone location, we have noticed a high demand and it has led us to begin the process of opening a second location on Welbeck Street later this year,” reveals Jonny Rosenblatt, co-founder of the co-working platform Spacemade as he discusses the renaissance of such venues within areas like Marylebone and Mayfair. With companies such as Moelis moving to Baker Street in 2025, as well as Savills also reporting that the West End is one of the top three European locations witnessing a return to the office, is this a sign that corporate sectors are taking up residence away from the City of London and Canary Wharf?
With the homeliness of independent cafés, boutique shops, bars and hotels being an obvious draw to the West End, the offering of locations such as Spacemade also present an attractive incentive for companies. With its convenient flexibility and considered interior design, set within the exquisite period buildings of the neighbourhood, it provides a more holistic working environment for both creative and corporate sectors alike.
Founded in 2019 by Rosenblatt and his business partner Dan Silverman, both of whom have a wealth of experience in the real estate sector, Spacemade has gone on to open nine locations in the capital alongside one in Leeds and one in Birmingham. Identifying itself as a trailblazer that is redefining and reshaping workspace environments, Spacemade’s mission is centred on social connection and, as Rosenblatt states, isn’t in the business of selling offices and co-working spaces. “We are in the business of facilitating meaningful connections and bringing people together with intent,” he says. “Our bold vision of cultivating 1,000,000 real-world social connections within our spaces reflects our commitment to shaping personal and professional journeys in a way unmatched by digital networks and interfaces.”
Guided by three values; integrity, individuality and inclusivity, the company is hoping that its unique, community-led approach sets it apart from comparable offerings. “While others in the industry focus on the ‘what’, we go beyond that by zooming in on why people want to come together in person,” he continues. “Our locations serve as hubs where like-minded professionals come together to share ideas, knowledge, and opportunities, fostering an environment where collaboration and growth thrive against the backdrop of beautifully designed spaces and a hospitality-led approach to workspaces.” With the spaces bringing together those within the corporate sector, alongside creatives, digital nomads and start-ups, it does certainly offer the chance for unique partnerships to blossom through conversations and networking across industry borders.
With private offices, hot-desking and co-working areas available within each Spacemade location, the company is seeking to grow, with a clear focus on its goals over the next decade. “We know there are so many wonderful buildings across the UK that are uninhabitable in their current form and with their legacy conditions of leasing,” says Rosenblatt. “We want to bring those buildings back to life by making them accessible to the occupier and giving them space that is both flexible, community-centric and rich in necessary amenities.”
Reflecting on the future of workplaces, Rosenblatt also comments on the maturity of the office market and how that is set to continue. Referring to trends that are developing, he expects to see industry-specific spaces become more and more prevalent. “Customers will want to build meaningful ties within their sectors and develop their tribes,” he states. “For us, this means enabling specialist groups to thrive with bespoke tools and resources, creating tight-knit communities that increase business resilience away from the cookie-cutter identikit spaces we have seen before.” And, with its affordable and flexible membership options also aligned to this bespoke and personalised approach, workplaces within these convenient and desirable locations are set to thrive offering a more dynamic future for all sectors.
Imagery courtesy of Spacemade.
