Co-working giant flexing up CBD’s Golden Triangle with Spaces first Brisbane location

International Workplace Group’s Spaces brand — a co-working rival to WeWork — is making its move on the Queensland capital with the launch of two locations in the CBD and Fortitude Valley.

Stephen O'Brien, regional sales director for IWG’s co-working brand Spaces, outside Riparian Plaza. Picture: Richard Walker

BRISBANE’S co-working office sector — already boasting the biggest proportion of occupancy across Australia — is set to move to the next level.

Flexible workspace giant International Workplace Group (IWG) will open the doors to the first Brisbane location for its rapidly expanding Spaces brand early next year.

It will take up 3728sq m across the top three floors in the landmark riverside Riparian Plaza office tower in the CBD’s Golden Triangle precinct from March.

IWG’s Spaces — a co-working rival to WeWork — will follow its debut in the Queensland capital with a second location within the Jubilee Place development at Fortitude Valley.

Spread over five floors and 4809sq m it will be one of its largest locations in Australia.

IWG's Spaces co-working workplace brand is set to launch its first locations in Brisbane.

According to Stephen O’Brien, regional sales director of IWG, demand for flexible workspaces in Brisbane is at an all-time high and the upcoming launch of Spaces into the market will up the ante in the city’s co-working offering.

“Riparian Plaza is an excellent location for us to introduce Spaces to Brisbane,” he said.

“With outstanding amenities housed at an unparalleled location on the river, Spaces Riparian Plaza will offer a superb opportunity for businesses of any size to rise above the ordinary in a flexible, fully-equipped working space.”

Artist’s impression of the Jubilee Place office tower development in Fortitude Valley.

Damien Sheehan, head of IWG Australia, said the introduction of Spaces into the Brisbane market would mark a significant milestone, giving the brand a presence in four state capitals.

“Brisbane is no stranger to co-working, with the CBD boasting the biggest proportion of co-working occupancy across Australia,” he said.

“However, Spaces’ dynamic offering, unique entrepreneurial spirit and strong sense of community, sets it apart from the rest.

“We are excited to introduce Spaces’ creative workspaces to Brisbane over the next two years,

helping local businesses to think, create and collaborate.”

Mr Sheehan said the launch of Spaces in Brisbane came off the back of a reduction in the city’s workspace rental rates, which has led to a shift towards co-working and an increase in the flexible office market locally.

Spaces Riparian Plaza and Spaces Jubilee Place will mark the brand’s seventh and eighth

locations in Australia. Globally, the co-working brand has over 250 locations.