This article first appeared in City & Country, The Edge Malaysia Weekly on October 28, 2019 - November 3, 2019

Spaces, a provider of co-working spaces that was set up in Amsterdam in 2006, is entering the Malaysian market with its first location at KL Platinum Sentral. The official unveiling of the space International Workplace Group plc (IWG) took place on Oct 23.

According to IWG country head for Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei, Vijayakumar Tangarasan, Spaces Platinum Sentral is the first of three Spaces the company is planning to open this year. Next month and in December, Spaces will open in Beach Street, Penang, and Menara Prestige in Kuala Lumpur.

“The Spaces brand suits Kuala Lumpur, where there is very high traffic. The same goes for Penang. People are now adapting to co-working. The market is changing and now, people want their workspaces to be anywhere. They want [them to be available] as and when [they need them]. With the number of buildings in Kuala Lumpur, this is the right start,” says Vijayakumar.

IWG will open Spaces in strategic areas close to transport hubs, eateries and high-traffic areas that are easily accessible.

“We are honoured that IWG has chosen us to set up its inaugural office. It has made the right choice due to the strategic location. I believe that with this good location, getting good tenants will not be a problem,” says MRCB Quill Management Sdn Bhd chairman Tan Sri Saw Choo Boon.

Occupying five floors spanning 73,474 sq ft, Spaces Platinum Sentral is 85% taken up, mainly IT-based companies.

Business club membership starts from RM210 per person, per month and offers worldwide access to all Spaces locations. For a Dedicated Desk — a private desk and locker in a closed space shared with other members — the rate starts from RM585 per person, per month.

Office spaces and meeting rooms are available on request.

An on-site deli called Brew Coolcats serves coffee, freshly-baked pastries and sandwiches. Other facilities include two business clubs and five meeting rooms. Spaces offers 1,128 dedicated desks.

The design of the co-working space is inspired European architecture and makes full use of natural lighting. The exposed ceiling and engineered wood flooring are enhanced with customised lights and walls with a concrete finish and wrought-iron furniture.

The ambiance is calm and professional. The fabrics used are from European brands such as Vitra, Hay and Kvadrat for their overall look and feel, with elements of classics through the Vitra Alcove Chair from designers Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec.

Spaces has 250 locations worldwide and each has the same focus on building community events for its members and business thinkers. The activities include fitness sessions, movie nights, networking sessions and workshops.

IWG was founded in 1989, with its headquarters in Switzerland, and listed on the London Stock Exchange in 2016. The company provides workspaces, communities and services to individuals and businesses in more than 110 countries. Other than Spaces, its portfolio of operating brands includes Regus, Signature Regus, HQ and No 18.

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