Pandemic-Driven Evolution: The Reshaping of Coworking Spaces in the (Post) COVID-19 Era

Abstract

In recent years, coworking spaces, tailored for location-independent professionals, have flourished. However, the COVID-19 pandemic dramatically altered their conventional operations, necessitating adaptive measures like social distancing and an enhanced focus on remote collaboration. This narrative literature review delves into the pandemic’s repercussions on coworking, emphasizing potential long-term adaptations like digitalization and hybrid frameworks. Through extensive database searches, key observations include declines in revenues and occupancy, the onset of health-focused protocols, a shift to virtual community events, flexible membership contracts, and an uptick in digital service offerings. Despite reduced physical interactions, digital platforms played a crucial role in sustaining member engagement. The future of coworking may lean towards region-specific models, advanced technology integration, and a deeper understanding of resilient coworking communities. This review aims to elucidate the pandemic’s multifaceted impact on coworking, spotlighting pivotal areas for further research and offering insights for real estate professionals navigating a post-pandemic landscape.

Keywords:

• Coworking
• Covid-19
• Pandemic
• Workplace Transformation

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).