WORQ, a leading coworking space provider, has expanded its largest coworking space to date at Menara 1 Sentrum. The grand opening of Level 28 at this landmark site, located at Klang Valley’s main transit hub, KL Sentral, marks a significant achievement in collaboration with Pelaburan Hartanah Bhd (PHB), securing 100% occupancy for the entire building.
Launched just a year ago, the KL Sentral outlet has consistently achieved full occupancy on its two existing levels, serving as a hub connecting WORQ’s expanding office space infrastructure throughout Klang Valley.
According to JLL, 2.5% of Grade A office space in the Asia Pacific region is now occupied by flexible space operators, reflecting evolving market dynamics and the adoption of hybrid work models.
Yulia Nikulicheva, head of research and consultancy at JLL, attributes this trend to the pandemic, which has accelerated the adoption of coworking spaces as an effective solution for companies offering greater flexibility to their employees.
As of 4Q 2023, Kuala Lumpur’s existing flexible space stock is approximately 1.3 million sq ft, comprising 2.2% of total Grade A office space and 1.1% of total office space. WORQ’s ambitious plans include expanding to 450,000 sq ft by 2025 and 1,000,000 sq ft by 2028.
Stephanie Ping, CEO, and co-founder of WORQ, said that the Level 28 expansion at Menara 1 Sentrum aligns with their strategy to elevate the commuter’s experience by linking up Klang Valley’s transit systems with flexible offices.
She envisions preparing the population for a hybrid work future, especially with the recent incorporation of flexible working arrangements into the Employment Act 1955.
WORQ aims to develop a local culture of public transport usage, similar to Japan and Singapore, fostering a dynamic on-site community. The cloud office infrastructure will provide seamless flexibility for companies to scale operations, facilitating the setup and hiring of Malaysian talents across multiple locations.
Mohamad Damshal Awang Damit, group managing director and CEO of PHB, expresses confidence in the growing demand for coworking spaces in Malaysia.
He sees incorporating more coworking spaces in PHB’s properties across Malaysia as a strategic move following the success of Menara 1 Sentrum in partnership with WORQ.
Coworking spaces continue to attract enterprises and multinational corporations (MNCs) looking for collaborative environments without long-term commitments.
WORQ’s customer base has evolved from startups to SMEs and large corporations, with 70% of customers now being enterprise clients and MNCs.
WORQ’s success is evident in stronger pre-bookings, especially from international companies, achieving full occupancy for new locations within just two months after launch.
Global companies like Datacom Systems (Asia) Sdn Bhd and WithSecure Sdn Bhd have selected WORQ as their office space provider at Menara 1 Sentrum, recognising the benefits of tailored space planning and efficient solutions.
The collaboration with PHB highlights the landlord’s commitment to meeting market demands and increasing tenant satisfaction. A survey with building tenants reveals a remarkable increase in satisfaction from 71% in 2021 to 92% in 2023 following the integration of WORQ into Menara 1 Sentrum.
WORQ’s emphasis on building vibrant communities and promoting sustainable practices positions it at the forefront of shaping the future of flexible workspaces.
