Want to work but lack office space? Firm offers you one

Workplace Director Andrew Kisoso (left) with Kenya Private Sector Association (KEPSA) Chairman Nicholas Nesbitt, during the launch of Workable Nairobi, the premium corporate coworking offices in Westlands.The facility is designed to offer modern, inspiring and energetic workplace to businesses seeking Grade A flexible office space in the city.[David Njaaga,Standard]

Workable Nairobi, a commercial serviced office provider, has launched a modern corporate co-working hub at Sanlam Tower, Westlands.

The 12,000 square feet facility has 19 private office studios that can accommodate 110 people, 110 desks, two meeting rooms, a full-service in-house café as well as an events terrace.

Workable Chief Executive Samir Patel said the facility was designed to match the global demand for corporate co-working spaces that have productivity and employee wellness at their core.

The global shared office industry is estimated to be worth over Sh10 trillion and has recorded growth in major cities on all continents since 2005. “For most observers, the co-working industry is associated with freelancers, startups and small businesses. However, today, the biggest growth in the industry is from larger firms and their employees,” explained Patel.

“In fact, close to 20 per cent of the S&P 500 companies in the US now have employees operating from co-working spaces.” Mr Patel said the global movement in the shared office industry has experienced rapid growth in Kenya over the past decade, with tech firms occupying most of the spaces in Nairobi.

Real estate portfolios

An influx of multinational business and non-governmental organisations, as well as maturing startups, has also propelled the demand for spaces that can accommodate their need for expansion, while still offering the same vibrancy of shared offices.

The CEO said corporations are looking to align their real estate portfolios with broader business goals. “Adopting the ‘space-as-a-service’ strategy is one way to deliver both cost management and greater flexibility where you pay for space and services such as meeting rooms on demand,” Mr Patel said.

Using a shared office space takes away the headache of binding long-term lease agreements, capital expenditures for set-up and provision for expansion or contraction as well as maintenance.

Mr Patel observed that Workable offers a solution to the modern organisation that seeks to provide employees with personalised and amenity-rich working environments which have been found to improve productivity.

He noted businesses globally are reassessing their real estate needs by reducing their office footprints.

“Workable is Nairobi’s prime shared office space with Grade A flexible studios and many features that are a first in Kenya. The primary target is global enterprises and non-governmental organisations in Nairobi as well as large local firms with significant office needs,” he said.