Curated News
By: NewsRamp Editorial Staff
September 25, 2026
Coworking Grows Up: From Hot Desks to Private Suites
TLDR
- BLANKSPACES founder explains flex space variation, letting businesses choose models for strategic advantage over outdated coworking stereotypes.
- Coworking blends executive suites and open spaces, with private offices at 30-50 percent versus 70-75 percent in traditional suites.
- Coworking fosters community and flexibility, offering amenities like wellness rooms to improve work-life balance and collaboration for diverse professionals.
- The hashtag was invented by a coworking space founder in 2007, linking coworking to tech culture from the start.
Impact - Why it Matters
The evolution of coworking reflects a broader shift in how we work. As remote and hybrid work become standard, the demand for flexible office solutions is soaring. Understanding the distinctions between coworking and executive suites helps businesses choose the right environment to boost productivity and culture. For landlords, recognizing the variety within flex space can unlock new revenue opportunities and mitigate risk through partnership models. This news matters because it signals that the office is no longer a monolithic concept—it's a spectrum that can adapt to diverse needs, from startups to law firms. As the workforce continues to decentralize, the ability to navigate this spectrum will be crucial for companies and property owners alike.
Summary
Coworking has a branding problem, according to Jerome Chang, founder of Los Angeles-based BLANKSPACES. Most people still picture shared desks and ping-pong tables, but Chang says that image is outdated. Coworking has matured into a diverse category that spans from basic hot desks to fully private, amenity-rich suites. The lines between coworking and traditional executive suites have blurred. Executive suites, like those from Regus and Premier Office Suites, typically dedicate 70 to 75 percent of their space to private offices with a formal, corporate feel. Coworking spaces, by contrast, usually allocate only 30 to 50 percent to private offices, leaving more room for open, shared areas that foster community and collaboration.
Chang uses the hotel industry to explain the spectrum of flex space. Traditional executive suites are like the Sheraton: reliable, functional, and a bit sterile. Community-focused coworking spaces are more like the Ace Hotel, where the atmosphere and crowd are the main draw. Both models offer flexibility and services that a standard apartment lease cannot. While coworking’s early identity was tied to tech startups—the hashtag was invented by a coworking space founder in 2007—the customer base now includes corporate clients, law firms, and other traditional tenants. Events like LA Tech Week, tied to venture firm a16z, continue to highlight the overlap between coworking and technology.
For landlords and tenants, the key takeaway is that flex space is not a one-size-fits-all product. It is a category with real variation, from amenity-heavy locations built for community to lean, private-office setups for teams that just want flexibility. Understanding which model fits a specific building or business is the first step to making flex space work. BLANKSPACES, founded in 2008 by architect Jerome Chang, is one of the oldest coworking brands in America and the largest in Southern California. It operates on a partnership model that shares risk with landlords rather than relying on a traditional lease.
Source Statement
This curated news summary relied on content distributed by Keycrew.co. Read the original source here, Coworking Grows Up: From Hot Desks to Private Suites
