Enterprise Coworking: 5 Reasons Why Large Companies Are Rethinking the Traditional Lease
Coworking has grown well beyond its startup roots. What began as a solution for freelancers and small teams has evolved into a credible model for large-scale, global businesses, particularly through the rise of enterprise coworking.
This newer form of workspace is reshaping how companies think about real estate: not as a fixed asset but as a flexible service aligned with their business strategy.
At collective_100, we are seeing firsthand how enterprise coworking is being adopted by serious organisations- from international energy companies to global tech firms. These businesses are choosing coworking because it offers a better operational model in all areas of the company.
What Is Enterprise Coworking?
Enterprise coworking is a tailored office solution built for larger teams, corporate standards, and long-term growth. Unlike traditional coworking, where space and amenities are often shared, enterprise coworking offers:
- Private, dedicated offices
- Custom-built meeting rooms
- Secure IT infrastructure
- Onsite support staff and concierge services
The key difference is that the space is delivered as a service- ready to use immediately, without the complexity of managing a commercial lease. For many companies, it is a way to gain control and functionality without taking on long-term financial or operational commitments.
4 Reasons Large Companies Are Choosing Enterprise Coworking
1. Faster Market Entry
Setting up a new office through a commercial lease can take months. It involves searching, negotiating, fit-out design, compliance approvals, and staffing. Enterprise coworking shortens this timeline dramatically. At collective_100, we have had teams operational within a number of weeks, including IT setup, workspace configuration, and communication with overseas HQs.
This kind of responsiveness is essential for businesses expanding into new regions or adapting to rapid growth. It allows them to focus on strategy rather than logistics.
2. Customisation Without the Overhead
There is a misconception that coworking is inherently generic or standardised. In practice, enterprise coworking can be highly tailored. At collective_100, enterprise clients have access to private internet lines, meeting rooms built specifically for their needs, and even office branding and signage. These are not shared amenities—they are exclusive to the client and designed to support their workflow and culture.
A dedicated meeting room, for example, is not just about convenience. It allows for the set up of secure, high-stakes video calls with global leadership, provides predictable availability for team huddles, and supports visits from extra staff without compromising space.
3. Financial Predictability
Traditional leases often come with large capital expenditures- fit-outs, furniture, IT setup, maintenance contracts, utilities. Then there are ongoing costs: cleaners, reception staff, office management, and tech support.
Enterprise coworking consolidates all of this into a single monthly invoice. There are no unpredictable costs, and no need to hire internal teams to manage the space. This financial clarity appeals to CFOs and operational leads who want to align real estate spending with business performance- not fixed timelines or sunk costs.
4. Operational Simplicity
For many companies, the real value of enterprise coworking lies in what it removes: the burden of office management. There is no need to manage cleaners, troubleshoot the printer, or coordinate with building landlords. That is all handled by the coworking provider.
This allows internal teams to stay lean and focused. The workspace operates more like a hotel experience than a commercial tenancy—fully serviced, consistently supported, and designed for professional use from day one.
A Practical Example
One of our current members, a U.S.-based renewable energy firm, selected collective_100 for their Melbourne expansion. They required more than space—they needed a seamless extension of their global business. Today, their 24-person office includes:
- A custom-built executive suite for senior management
- Two connected office suites, each designed to suit different team functions
- A private, connected meeting room with tailored AV and layout specifications
- Dedicated internet infrastructure configured to global IT requirements
- Custom wall and door signage reflecting their brand identity
- Daily support from our onsite concierge team
- Ongoing coordination with their global IT and facilities departments to maintain alignment across offices
They did not need to hire an office manager or deal with vendor contracts. Our team manages the workspace so their team can focus on scaling their Australian operations.
A Global Shift: What companies are doing Enterprise Coworking successfully?
Enterprise coworking is a part of a transformation in how major corporations approach office space. Companies like IBM, Microsoft, and PwC have integrated coworking into their real estate strategies to enhance flexibility, reduce overhead, and foster innovation.
IBM
In 2017, IBM entered into a significant agreement with WeWork, taking over the entire coworking space at 88 University Place in New York City. This move accommodated approximately 600 employees and was aimed at fostering innovation by immersing teams in dynamic environments alongside startups and other tech companies. Read more here.
Microsoft
Around 2016, Microsoft provided coworking memberships to about 30% of its New York-based sales and marketing staff. This initiative was designed to place employees within office environments that boost their wellbeing. Read more about how coworking increases employees' wellbeing here.
PwC
PwC has embraced coworking to offer consultants stable, high-quality workspaces between client sites. Their approach includes hybrid working policies that allow employees to spend time in various in-person locations, such as client sites, PwC offices, or coworking spaces, depending on team and client needs. Learn more about PwC’s coworking journey here.
These decisions reflect a strategic shift where real estate is viewed not as a static asset but as a dynamic enabler of business objectives.
The Future of Office Space
Enterprise coworking is not a replacement for all traditional offices—but it is becoming the smarter choice for many. It offers:
- Flexibility without compromise
- Customisation without complexity
- Professionalism without the overhead
As companies navigate new ways of working, expanding across regions, or looking to create more resilient operations, enterprise coworking provides a proven, responsive model.
At collective_100, we work with each enterprise client to design a space that reflects their brand, supports their people, and integrates seamlessly with their global operations.
If your business is rethinking its approach to office space, enterprise coworking is worth exploring.
Get in touch with us at collective_100 to discuss how a tailored workspace could support your team. We would be happy to show you what is possible.
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