What is Shared Office Space? A Comprehensive Look at Its Pros and Cons

What is a Shared Office Space? Well simply said it’s an (office) building that houses several companies (multi tenant). They are often a mix of start-ups as well as medium-sized companies. The amenities facilitated by the landlord are more extensive than in a single tenant building, which houses one company, but not as extensive as in an big office concept. The office solutions offered by Co-Office almost always fall under an office concept and are sometimes part of a multi-company building.

What is a shared office space? What is the meaning and definition of a shared office building?

A shared office space or building houses several companies (multitenant). They are often a mix of start-ups as well as medium-sized companies that rent one or more floors or their own independent office space in that building. There is more freedom than in an office concept for choosing security, an energy supplier or internet provider.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of a shared office space?

Setting up in a business building ensures that you don’t have to take care of some basic things yourself. Some buildings cater to a specific demographic so you will find like-minded people and the facilities are well suited to your industry. Collaboration or sharing of facilities with other users is therefore often a possibility. Sometimes there is also an ecosystem within the building in which the businesses fit together well. The image of such a business incubator building can therefore in some cases contribute to your own image such as in BlueCity Rotterdam where only circular companies are located or the ONS-Gebouw Schiedam which houses companies involved in innovation.

Advantages of a shared office space

• – Cost of common facilities shared with multiple tenants.
• – More flexible lease terms compared to single tenant.
• – Maintenance and investment in technical installations is arranged periodically or in case of breakdowns by the building owner.
• – Easily accessible locations.
• – Ecosystem of like-minded companies from the same industry.

Disadvantages of a shared office building

• – Less of an own identity due to multiple tenants.
• – Competition in own building.
• – Possible nuisance from other companies or employees.
• – Per m2 sometimes more expensive than a single tenant building.

Examples of shared office spaces and buildings in Rotterdam and Amsterdam

In a shared office building, the owner regulates only the main general facilities such as heating, reception and security as in the Rotterdam Building. Tenants then arrange all the necessary amenities for their space themselves. Co-Office has rented one or more floors in several collective buildings and operates an office concept here in which all the facilities needed by the end users are facilitated by Co-Office, as for example in the Westpoint Building Schiedam or the Bridge Building in Amsterdam.