Coworking

How does a coworking space actually work?

A coworking space generally offers several membership options:

The shared open space: unassigned workstations available on a hot-desking basis. You sit wherever there’s space, often on a flexible subscription plan (daily, weekly, monthly).

The private office: a closed-off space for one person or a small team (2 to 5 people) within the coworking space. More privacy, but still access to common areas.

The day pass: ideal for digital nomads or occasional remote workers.

Included services vary from space to space, but typically include: high-speed Wi-Fi, access to meeting rooms (often on an hourly credit basis), coffee/tea, cleaning, and sometimes mail handling.

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Who is coworking for (and who it isn’t for)

Coworking is suitable for:

Freelancers and independent professionals who want to break out of the isolation of working from home and return to a structured professional environment. Very small teams (1 to 5 people) in the launch phase who do not yet have a clear picture of their growth. Salaried remote workers looking for a “third place” close to home, a few days a week.

Coworking reaches its limits when:

The team exceeds 8 to 10 people: the cost per workstation becomes comparable to or even higher than that of a dedicated office, without the privacy or customization. The company requires a high level of confidentiality (sensitive customer calls, regulated data). The corporate culture necessitates a branded environment that reflects the company’s identity. Specific facility requirements (server room, studio, storage) exceed the standard offering.

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Coworking vs. managed office: the real differences

Confusion between coworking and managed offices is common, but the two models address very different needs:

Space size: coworking offers individual workstations or small offices (1 to 10 workstations). Managed offices offer entire floors, from 10 to 200+ workstations, dedicated to a single company.

Customization: In coworking, you adapt to the existing space. In a managed office, the space can be configured according to your brand identity and operational needs.

The business model: coworking spaces charge per workstation or per person. Managed offices offer an all-inclusive flat rate for the entire space.

Commitment period: coworking spaces operate on a month-to-month basis. Managed office spaces typically require a minimum commitment of 12 months, offering greater stability for both parties.

The day-to-day experience: In a coworking space, you share common areas with dozens of different organizations. In a managed office, your team has its own dedicated space while still benefiting from managed services (maintenance, cleaning, reception).

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5 criteria for choosing between coworking and a dedicated office

1. Count your actual workstations: for fewer than 5 people, coworking is almost always more economical. With more than 10 employees, calculate the cost per workstation: a dedicated or managed office often becomes more cost-effective.
2. Plan for the next 12 months: if your workforce is set to double, coworking offers the necessary flexibility. If your workforce is stable, a longer-term commitment reduces your monthly cost.
3. Assess your privacy needs: regular client calls, sensitive data? A private office will quickly become essential.
4. Test before committing: most spaces offer trial days. Spend a full workday there, not just a visit. Pay attention to noise levels, lighting, and Wi-Fi quality during peak hours.
5. Read the termination terms: check notice periods, automatic renewal clauses, and any early termination fees.

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The Role of Coworking in Today's Real Estate Ecosystem

Coworking has profoundly transformed businesses' expectations regarding real estate. By demonstrating that it was possible to access a professional space without signing a 3-, 6-, or 9-year lease, it paved the way for more flexible models such as managed office spaces or service-based solutions.

For companies with unused space, this growing demand for flexibility represents an opportunity: solutions like Sora allow you to transform these vacant square feet into managed spaces, attracting a clientele that grew up with coworking but whose needs have evolved toward more space and customization.