As flexible arrangements become increasingly common, demand for coworking hubs in Australia is climbing back to pre-pandemic levels – setting the scene for the entry of The Great Room by Industrious, a new premium flex space provider.

Established in Singapore in 2016, The Great Room is a premium coworking brand that combines unique, hospitality-led interior design with flexible offices for dynamic businesses. It was acquired by US-based flex space provider Industrious in 2022, with The Great Room’s offices in Hong Kong, Bangkok and Singapore joining Industrious’ North American and European offices to create a network of over 160 locations.

The Great Room by Industrious is set to make its Australian debut in Sydney in early 2024. Nestled within the city’s central retail and business precinct at 85 Castlereagh Street, and with interior design by globally-acclaimed architecture firm Hassell, this new venture marks The Great Room’s first footprint on Australian soil. 

It’s set to redefine the way Sydney’s professionals navigate their workday – with 1,200 square metres of space delivering invigorating contemporary office areas with hotel-like amenities.

“We’re very excited to bring The Great Room by Industrious to the Australian market. Flex space has been embraced by landlords and tenants alike, due to its occupancy upside and numerous benefits for both productivity and workplace culture,” said Mr Josh Alfafara, Head of The Great Room by Industrious’ Australian operations. 

“The Great Room is a unique premium offering, with hospitality-inspired interiors, great connectivity to retail, hospitality and transport, and additional perks that will assist businesses in attracting and retaining talent. It does the heavy lifting for business operators to ‘earn the commute’ for their staff and create a next-generation workplace.”

Alfafara was previously a Flex Solutions Lead at commercial real estate heavyweight JLL. He has also held executive positions within global coworking provider The Executive Centre, leading the company’s expansion within the Philippines.

“Josh holds an extensive track record in commercial real estate, specialising in flex solutions and workplace strategy. This, coupled with his expertise in growing coworking enterprises positions him as the perfect leader for our Australian expansion,” said Jaelle Ang, CEO and Co-Founder of The Great Room.

The Great Room by Industrious’ new Sydney location will feature a bar with views over the iconic Hyde Park, and curated interiors which pay homage to The Great Room’s new locale. The layout of the new space is designed to foster incidental collaboration and drive innovation by mixing aspects of both work and play. 

A range of flexible membership plans are available, catering to diverse business needs - From dedicated offices for teams of 3 to 30, to dynamic hot desk options, short-term day passes, and virtual office services for businesses in need of a well-located corporate address. The Great Room has every workspace solution covered; Larger teams will also find custom-tailored Enterprise Suites to suit their unique specifications.

“The Great Room offers a more holistic space in which to conduct business – a place to gather, create and innovate rather than just get things done. Workplaces should facilitate conversations and connection and encourage inspiration and contemplation. We go the extra mile to curate an environment that encourages creativity, innovation, and productivity,” Mr Alfafara said.

All members of The Great Room can access Industrious offices in more than 160 locations across in 65 cities in Asia, North America, and Europe, which is included as part of their membership. This will be particularly attractive to the many multinational companies with operations in Sydney, as well as executive travellers and freelancers.

Many employers recognise the need to offer top class amenities to encourage their workforce to collaborate in an office environment. 

The Great Room’s key amenities include enterprise-grade Wi-Fi connectivity, 24/7 office access, shower facilities, Monday breakfasts, weekly networking drinks, exclusive events, and purpose-built meeting and event spaces. 

A September 2023 report by CBRE, ‘Australian Flex Space in the Age of Hybrid Work’, suggests that businesses increasingly require flexibility for their operations. By utilising coworking spaces, businesses can scale their operations easily to accommodate fluctuating team sizes and project-based demands by adding desks and having the ability to book meeting rooms for short-term use. 

While coworking spaces allow businesses to right-size, many employers now recognise that providing adaptable and versatile work environments is critical to attracting and retaining talent. Having on-site amenities encourage social interactions among employees, leading to improved collaboration and a sense of community within the office.

“Pairing great design with hospitality-inspired coworking allows us to transcend the traditional concept of a workspace. Creating an energised and dynamic professional community is at the heart of what we do,” said Mr Alfafara.

The Great Room by Industrious is slated to open its doors at 85 Castlereagh Street in early January 2024. Tours are now available, and businesses of all sizes are encouraged to view the space and discuss how The Great Room can meet their changing needs.

To schedule a tour, please contact The Great Room via the contact details below.

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THE GREAT ROOM by Industrious launches its first Australian flexible workspace location in Sydney