Office Space News
Regus Introduces Office of the Future
Published June 15th, 2009 by Jennifer LeClaire
Regus is ramping up with what it calls “the office of the future.”
This almost slipped under my radar screen because the serviced office giant launched the new effort – a business lounge created to meet the increasing demand from mobile workers – in London without much fanfare. Regus opened its new flagship business lounge last month in Berkeley Square at the heart of London’s prestigious Mayfair district.
What is motivating Regus to invest in the office of the future?
Since the beginning of 2009, Regus reports a three-fold increase in demand for its flexible working solutions as businesses look to lower costs and empower their workforce. The company’s latest initiative, in part, seems to be catering to the diverse needs of today’s workforce.
“We are redefining the world of work, offering business of all sizes flexible, innovative and inspiring locations in which to meet, work and collaborate,” says Mark Dixon, CEO of The Regus Group. “In response to rising demand from these organizations we are augmenting and expanding our existing business lounge network around the globe, as we look to better enable the workers of today and tomorrow.”
Flexible Ways to Work
In addition to the clear demand for flexible working solutions Regus has witnessed this year, the company also cites the trend toward more flexible ways to work as a driver of its new initiative. One in three of the United Kingdom’s working population now work from home.
By 2010, researchers predict UKers will spend 95 percent of the working day alone – in a different location and on a different schedule than colleagues. That’s a pretty bold prediction, and Regus didn’t source it. So I’m a little skeptical about those figures. Nonetheless, there is a clear evolution taking place in the workplace.
In response to these paradigm shifts, Regus said it is reviewing the facilities including office space, meeting rooms and virtual offices at its 1,000 business centers around the world. The company’s goal is to make sure it is providing the right environment to support what is sees as a growing band of footloose, 24×7 workers.
The Office of the Future
The Berkeley Square facility, designed by architects Barr Gazetas, challenges pre-conceived ideas about such traditional business venues and has a deliberate boutique hotel feel, according to Regus. The center was designed to cater to businesses of all types and sizes, from the CEO of the largest global corporate to the entrepreneur with a great idea focused on making it big.
The Berkeley Square facility is also home to a spectacular art commission by the award-winning London-based artist collective Andom and curated by Artwise Curators. The work titled Mirrors is a two-sided sculpture of ‘head-sized’ mirrors that occupies the double height reception void of the building and acts to alter a visitors’ perception of the space.
“It’s encouraging that companies like Regus are sharing in this vision by investing in this facility which business people can access for just a few pounds a day,” says London Mayor Boris Johnson. “Small and medium sized businesses will provide the springboard to recovery and Regus is setting a fantastic example to which other businesses should aspire.”
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Bill Brookshire June 15th, 2009 at 11:45 am
Office of the future, huh? I am not sure I get it as to what about this makes Regus’ Berkeley Square serviced office center the office of the future. What am I missing? They do a lot of talking about how futuristic it is but the details on these futuristic executive office suites are slim.
Elizabeth Sanchez June 15th, 2009 at 11:50 am
I think the details are there. The office space is more like a boutique hotel than a traditional office space. There is a clear appreciation of art. I don’t see what makes that futuristic, though. I would have expected to read more about the technology or the actual design of these serviced office spaces. The stats show the need, but the details don’t match the need.
Melanie Jones June 15th, 2009 at 12:15 pm
I don’t know where those stats came from, either. However, I am quite sure Regus isn’t making them up. This company does its homework — and its homework includes its research. I would be those estimates on how the workforce will be working alone are right on. You guys have to remember that in Europe they approach work differently than they do in the States. Just look at how they take holidays. Try to reach someone in August.
Marcus Hester June 15th, 2009 at 1:08 pm
The gist of it, as I understand it, is that Regus is offering more flexible serviced office spaces with innovative designs in high-profile locations. That’s certainly true. When you look at the quality of the architecture firm Regus hired to work on this ‘office of the future’ you can tell it’s high-class all the way around. Design is a huge differentiator in the executive office suites industry.
Rob Zeus June 15th, 2009 at 1:12 pm
To me, I see Regus more and more pushing for collaboration among workers that either work in the same location or work in different locations around the world.
With the global executive office suite locations, the Businessworld memberships that give you access no matter where you go, the video conferencing equipment… all of that plays into the office of the future as I see it.