Coworking continues to spread across France. Shortly after the opening of a Spaces at La Défenseas well as Morning Coworking spaces at the top of the Montparnasse Tower and rue de Courcelles in the 17th arrondissement, and the Mama Works in Lillethe shared workspaces has seen the arrival of two new players in recent weeks. While Welkin & Meraki, from the Benelux countries, has set up in Paris and is looking to the world's major cities, Newton Offices, founded by Tivoli Capital and KKR, is focusing its ambitions on major regional cities, starting with Marseille, with Montpellier and Lille to follow.
The first workplace offered in Paris by Welkin & Merakilocated on avenue de Malakoff in the 16th arrondissement, is a reflection of its surroundings: chic and distinguished, and therefore entirely in keeping with the brand's upmarket positioning. "There was no five-star product focused on corporate companies"explains Alain Brossé, the brand's founder, who points out that he is targeting in particular ".foreign and local banks and consultancies, as well as embassies."For all these customers, the establishment offers private offices with simple, elegant furnishingslarger than average. "These are the same offices in Paris, Brussels or Luxembourg, with the same cupboards and the same desk. It's important to make our customers feel at home"says Alain Brossé.
On each floor, mobile executives who come to Paris for a day of meetings have workstations and a lounge where they can relax, have a coffee or hold a meeting. "We are making sure that professionals do not remain in their corner, adds Alain Brossé. They all have a certain status in their company". The site's other assets include a technological infrastructure equivalent to that of a major bank, the very best in secure access, and the most advanced technology available. real restoration concocted by Benoit DeWitte, a Michelin-starred Belgian chef who was named one of the fifty best chefs in the world in 2018.
"In my mind, we can offer excellent meals based on fresh, local produce for 10-15 euros, says Alain Brossé. It's a service that we offer without making any money from it. For us, it's important that people eat healthily and are happy."While Welkin & Meraki has four other projects in the French capital, with other venues planned for London, Frankfurt, Berlin, Dublin, New York and San Francisco.
In contrast, the future of Newton Offices will be written mainly in France's major regional cities. "Our ambition is to open around fifteen sites over the next three to five years."This new brand has been launched by commercial property valuation specialist Tivoli Capital and KKR, one of the world's leading investment firms. Newton Offices aims to replicate across France the success of the iLOVE'iT spaceopened in 2017 in the La Joliette business district in Marseille. "When we designed this place, we wanted to mix innovative start-ups, local SMEs and major groups. The latter hadn't yet realised that they could come to this type of venue in the region."he adds.
The philosophy of Newton Offices spaces oscillates between serious and relaxed. "We want to offer workplaces that are both pleasant and formal, with a balance that makes everyone feel good.says Guillaume Pellegrin. This means a smile in the morning, a warm welcome, a smile in the morning, a smile in the morning, a smile in the morning, a smile in the morning. Mediterranean spiritIt's not just the solar energy that we diffuse, but also the way we work with light, materials and acoustics."Another requirement is an ideal location in the heart of business districts or in dynamic residential areas. Lille and Aix-en-Provence are among the next destinations targeted by the brand with MontpellierThe new offices are due to open at the end of the year in the Port Marianne district. Within this new office zone, Newton Offices will be offering a 4,200 m² building designed by Wilmotte. It will feature a rooftop terrace.
