This Week In Coworking

Hector Kolonas

Quick recaps and deep-dives from the popular ThisWeekInCoworking.com email newsletters

  1. Week 12: Coworking Growth, Gen Z Gym Workspaces & the Risk of “Ensh*ttification” (w/ Flexspace AI CMO David Song)

    17 HR AGO

    Week 12: Coworking Growth, Gen Z Gym Workspaces & the Risk of “Ensh*ttification” (w/ Flexspace AI CMO David Song)

    Coworking Growth, Gen Z Gym Workspaces & the Risk of “Ensh*ttification” (w/ Flexspace AI CMO David Song)Host Hector Kolonas is joined by David Song, CMO of Flexspace AI, to discuss week 12 of 2026 coworking headlines and trends. David introduces Flexspace AI as an AI-first revenue management platform focused on dynamic pricing and remarketing/automation to help operators optimize revenue and marketing. They review Yardi Kube data showing the US coworking market grew 15% year over year, added 609 new operators, reached about 22.5 million square feet, and now represents 2.2% of the office market, with notable growth in suburban and secondary markets; they also cite franchisor results from Vast. They explore reports of Gen Z founders working from a Flatiron gym and what that implies about amenities, behavior, and seamless access across a “web” of workspaces. Finally, they discuss the Norwegian Consumer Council’s “ensh*ttification” concept and how operators can avoid nickel-and-diming by using better revenue management, branding, and technology.00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro00:57 What Flexspace AI Does01:43 AI Marketing for Operators03:17 This Week Topics Overview03:50 US Coworking Growth Data05:02 Why Flex Is Accelerating08:49 Gen Z Working From Gyms10:31 Amenities and New Work Behaviors15:39 Ecosystem of Workspaces17:13 Enshittification in Coworking18:50 Revenue Management as the Fix24:16 Wrap Up and Where to Connect

    27 min
  2. Behind the news: Vast, PE, and what's next, with Jason Anderson

    9 MAR

    Behind the news: Vast, PE, and what's next, with Jason Anderson

    Vast Coworking’s Private Equity Carve-Out: What It Means for Growth, Consolidation & Coworking 4.0 Host Hector Kolonas interviews Jason Anderson about major news at Vast Coworking Group: after years of planning, Vast is being carved out from United Franchise Group and backed by New State Capital Partners, with Anderson’s team staying in place and UFG continuing to provide some transition services. More links, context, and show notes at https://TWIC.co/vastpe Anderson explains the rationale for private equity—its need for resources to compete with players like Regus, Industrious (CBRE-backed), and WeWork (Yardi-backed)—and frames market timing through his “Coworking 1.0–4.0” view, culminating in enterprise “flex-first” adoption after the pandemic. They discuss Vast’s growth to about 215 locations, how new resources will strengthen branding, marketing, and staffing rather than fund a single immediate spend, and why further consolidation is likely, including acquisitions and conversions of independent operators into Vast brands while keeping Vast focused on franchising rather than corporate-owned locations. 00:00 Welcome and Setup 00:44 Vast Origin Story 02:00 Why Private Equity Now 04:41 Coworking 4.0 Explained 10:08 Big Money Signals 15:54 Deal Terms and Use 20:03 Consolidation Plans 22:56 Landlord Solutions 25:44 Franchise or Corporate 26:05 Conversions and Resales 30:24 Wrap Up and Thanks

    31 min
  3. Week 10 in Coworking: Virtual Office Revenue, Systems & Tech Debt, and Industry Deals

    6 MAR

    Week 10 in Coworking: Virtual Office Revenue, Systems & Tech Debt, and Industry Deals

    Virtual Office Revenue, Systems & Tech Debt, and Coworking Industry Deal Flow | This Week in Coworking (Week 10)Hector Kolonas and co-host Juan Hilario recap a busy Week 10 in coworking, including takeaways from GWA Immersive in Dallas and why operators say virtual offices are critical to profitability. Juan explains how Alliance Virtual Offices drives partner revenue (targeting $2,000–$3,000/month by month 12, varying by market), handles sales, compliance, support, and adds meeting room/day pass bookings via an app with real-time calendar integrations through Syncaroo (Yardi, Nexudus, OfficeRnD). They discuss operational guidance from Andrew Runnette on reducing overreliance on always-on staff through documentation and escalation rules, plus Juan’s leadership tip to have teams propose solutions. Jana Greer’s tech lessons cover adoption time, avoiding over-customization, scaling with a plan, and building MVPs to reduce technical debt. Industry news includes private equity moves around Vast/United Franchise Group and essensys, franchise expansion by the Priddys in Dallas/Plano, an Austria merger (your office and Vision Decision), Blackstone’s investment in a London members club, 25N’s Dallas expansion, and APAC updates from YoCo, JustCo, and WOTSO.00:00 Welcome From Dallas00:49 Week 10 Agenda01:38 Alliance Virtual Offices Sponsor02:14 Virtual Office Revenue Math05:36 App Booking And Integrations07:58 GWA Immersive Takeaways09:12 Breaking People Dependence14:54 Tech Pitfalls And MVPs20:11 Vast Deal And Private Equity24:52 Expansions And Global Moves25:58 Events And Wrap Up

    27 min

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Quick recaps and deep-dives from the popular ThisWeekInCoworking.com email newsletters

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