The idea of coworking is starting to resonate with a growing number of businesses and for a growing number of reasons. People new to the concept, or those who are aware primarily of its roots, may discover or retain a notion that it is a way for start-ups and freelancers to share space as a way of keeping down costs or networking with similar organisations. There is still a great deal of truth in this, given that the initial growth of coworking was based almost exclusively on the need for small tech and creative organisations to occupy space near to their larger clients, in precisely those urban enclaves that demand eye-watering rents and conventional leases.

This is the main reason coworking’s roots are traceable to the city centre hotspots of London and New York, and why the idea then propagated most successfully in cities like Paris, Berlin, Tokyo and Melbourne.

This proliferation of spaces also indicates just how mainstream the idea has become, and not just in its traditional sectors and geographies

Quite how extensive the World’s network of coworking spaces has become is apparent from an interactive map published by the broker website coworking.com. Even allowing for the usual blurring of definitions of what constitutes a coworking space, this indicates remarkable growth for an idea for which we had no real word before 2005. There’s a good reason why this is an interactive map because the growth of the sector can only be determined as a snapshot.

This proliferation of spaces also indicates just how mainstream the idea has become, and not just in its traditional sectors and geographies. The shift will require a lot of adjustment in all of the various facets of the commercial property, workplace and facilities management sectors.

Gary Chandler is the CEO of Fourfront Group. Images: LEO Nova North designed by Area.