WeWork, a global community-oriented company that provides shared workspaces for technology start-ups, freelancers and small businesses, is to open a location in Johannesburg, its first presence on the African continent, later this year.
WeWork was founded in 2010 “to help create a world where people work to make a life, not just a living”. The company said in its announcment of the Johannesburg move that “there has been a macro shift toward a new way of work—one focused on a movement towards meaning”.
Said Eugen Miropolski, managing director of WeWork International, “Expanding here is an obvious choice for us: it’s our first location in Africa and, with its global outlook, South Africa is the gateway to the rest of the continent, so we’re excited to welcome new members and grow our community here.
“Johannesburg is home to a huge number of innovative and established businesses as well as entrepreneurs and start-ups, and we’re looking forward to learning from those who join our community of members across 400 locations around the world. Forty percent of our enterprise members say they chose WeWork because they wanted a more creative entrepreneurial environment, and we hope our new locations in South Africa will offer just that — a dynamic space to grow South African businesses and bring business from around the world to South Africa.”
Over 400,000 members are now based at WeWork locations around the world, and member businesses range from start-ups to mid- and large-sized companies. International locations serve as a base for business travel, as well as offer opportunities for companies to easily expand abroad.
WeWork membership comes with internet access, cleaning, and furniture. Members can choose from a variety of membership plans, which include “hot-desking,” or using available desks, or a private, noise-controlled office.
WeWork’s first location in Johannesburg will open at 173 Oxford Road in the third quarter of 2019. It will be located next to metro lines to give members easier access to public transport. WeWork said it worked closely with landlord partner Redefine Properties on the location, and the two entered into a participatory lease, with a revenue-share agreement.
