The Rise of Managed Office: Why Flex Office Is Entering Its Next Phase
One trend is becoming impossible to ignore: managed offices are redefining what flexibility really means for modern businesses.
In a recent conversation, Jean-Yves Huwart, founder of Coworking Europe, explored this topic further with Jasper Bekkering founder and CEO of Tribes Inspiring Workplaces. One thing became clear: the flexible workspace industry is evolving – fast. What started as coworking and shared desks has now matured into something far more strategic for both occupiers and landlords.
Tribes today operates 15 locations across key European cities, including Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, Brussels, Frankfurt, Düsseldorf.
With a strong focus on expansion in Amsterdam, the company has built a solid presence over more than a decade, earning trust from startups to large corporates.
🎥 Watch the full conversation
The Big Shift: Office Space as a Strategic Tool
According to Jasper Bekkering, companies are rethinking the role of the office:
“It’s no longer just a place for individual work. It’s a hub for collaboration, culture, talent attraction, and overall performance.”
This shift is driving demand for more tailored, flexible, and service-driven environments.
Enter Managed Suites: The Next Evolution
One of the clearest manifestations of this trend is the rise of managed offices.
These are:
- Fully serviced, private office environments
- Tailored to a single organization
- Designed around specific operational and cultural needs
A recent example is a deal with Interpath in Düsseldorf, accommodating a team of 60 people.
This wasn’t just another lease—it was a strategic expansion within an existing building, leveraging:
- Existing operational infrastructure
- On-site expertise
- Immediate scalability
Landlords Are Changing Their Mindset
A few years ago, partnerships like this were harder to realize. Today, the landscape is shifting.
Landlords—traditionally focused on long-term leases—are increasingly open to:
- Shorter commitments (1–3 years)
- Flexible structures
- Operator partnerships
Why? Because flexibility is no longer a “nice to have”—it’s becoming a competitive advantage in attracting corporate tenants.
Risk, Flexibility, and Post-COVID Reality
The past decade—especially the impact of COVID—has reshaped how companies think about real estate.
Even large organizations are questioning:
- Do we really want 5–10 year lease commitments?
- How do we manage risk more effectively?
- Can flexibility improve performance and resilience?
The answer, increasingly, is yes. And this is where operators like Tribes step in—with solutions that combine flexibility, service, and brand identity.
The Critical Role of Brokers
Another key player in this ecosystem? Brokers. As Jasper Bekkering highlights:
- 90–95% of corporate office deals involve brokers
- They act as gatekeepers and advisors
- They help introduce flexible solutions early in the decision process
For operators, strong broker relationships are no longer optional—they’re essential.
What This Means for the Future of Flex
We are witnessing a clear transition:
From:
- Coworking desks
- Short-term flexibility for freelancers
To:
- Enterprise-grade managed solutions
- Strategic partnerships with landlords
- Fully branded, serviced environments for corporates
The flex workspace industry is no longer just an alternative to traditional offices—it’s becoming a core component of corporate real estate strategy.
Final Thought
If the past decade was about proving the concept of flexibility, the next one will be about scaling it intelligently.
Managed offices sit right at the center of that evolution—bridging the gap between flexibility and stability, between operators and landlords, and ultimately, between space and strategy.
Join us in Paris at the Coworking Europe conference on November 5–6 to continue the conversation! The Early Bird price is only available until the end of May.
