03 MARCH 2019

Sunday, 3 March 2019
Daily Tribune
LIVING SPACES
13
No traffic
A TRENDY bar makes coffee breaks more fun.
By Kathleen A. Llemit
With traffic proving more difficult for motorists to cruise
past Manila’s main thoroughfares and inner streets easily,
more and more companies are searching for ways to efficiently
run their business and, in the process, save on potential losses.
The Japan International Cooperation Agency revealed
in February 2018 that the Philippines is losing P3.5 billion a
day due to traffic congestion in Manila. This definitely does
not bode well for many businesses, more so for startups and
MSME (micro, small and medium enterprises).
The past years have seen shared spaces sprouting up
within and in the outskirts of the central business districts
in Makati, Ortigas and Bonifacio Global City (BGC).
Recently, a global brand opened its first location at BGC
in the city of Taguig. WeWork occupies the ninth and 10th
floors of the Uptown Bonifacio Tower Three Building. It
is an American company headquartered in New York City
that offers shared work spaces and services for startups,
freelancers, small and large businesses. It was founded in 2010
by Adam Neumann and Miguel McKelvey and currently has
425 locations in 100 cities in North America, South America,
Africa, Europe and Asia.
The new Manila offices bear the same aesthetic as all
WeWork spaces — work stations that are splashed with pops
of color and amenities that make work more fun. Juxtaposed
with vibrantly colored conference rooms and private work
spaces are game rooms with a table-top football and table
tennis; a karaoke room and a whimsical garden overlooking
the towers of BGC.
Co-working and shared spaces have become
the norm in recent years driven mostly by the
worsening traffic (in some locations such as the
Philippines) or the behavior of the majority of the
workforce, which are the millennials.
The latter features a mural by Filipino artist Bitto of
artificial turf mounds and planters and a swing at one corner.
To pay homage to its Filipino host, the BGC space has a
neon sign at the 10th floor inspired by Filipino boxing icon
Manny Pacquiao. Another sign is inspired by the popular
Pinoy dessert, halo-halo (ice shaved dessert with bits of red
beans, jellies at the bottom and topped with ice cream and
leche flan).
Growing business
WeWork thrives on collaboration. Globally, it has 400,000
members, 13,000 of which are enterprise member companies
(businesses with 1,000 employees around the world). In Southeast
Asia, it has grown to 13,000 after opening locations in Ho Chi
Minh and Kuala Lumpur last year and in February in Manila
with 800 members.
Co-working and shared spaces have become the norm in
recent years driven mostly by the worsening traffic (in some
locations such as the Philippines) or the behavior of the majority
of the workforce, which are the millennials.
Many studies have found out that millennials, in particular,
prefer co-working or shared spaces that cater to their need for
work-life integration, a concept that tries to marry work and
well-being in one space. Thus, most co-working or shared spaces
appear as a more casual set-up than the traditional look of
COLORFUL and relaxing lounges near the work spaces.
Its report
updated as of
February 2019
indicated that
an average
four-person
company saved
up to $18,000
on average on
rent, fit-out
costs and
broker and
agent fees
for an office
space of 600
square feet
FUN time with
table tennis and
table top football.
DE-STRESS at the indoor garden overlooking the city.
modular and structured offices.
But beyond the “more fun” look of these work spaces is the
positive impact it gives to startups such as Klook Philippines
and Edukasyon.ph.
Beyond the hip and cool setup, WeWork, like similar
companies, provides not just space but solutions for smaller
businesses. Aside from the physical work spaces, it has a digital
environment, accessible through an app, that not only answer
to member inquiries and benefits but also helps link companies
with fellow-member companies for potential collaborations.
“Klook offerings are about in 20 countries worldwide and
out of these, five are set up in WeWork locations with Manila
as its newest addition. As a very cross-functioning structured
company, we work closely with our colleagues from Singapore,
Indonesia, Bangkok. As a travel company, we also empower our
colleagues to see the world and it happens in other locations of
Klook. So we really saw the value of having a global access with
WeWork locations around the world. We are really banking and
benefitting from the global network of WeWork,” Michelle Cruz,
market lead of Klook Philippines, said.
She added that since signing up with WeWork, Klook
Philippines has grown from five staff including herself a year
ago to more than 40 at present.
Similarly, Judge Calimbahin, the Chief of Strategy of
Edukasyon, shared how the global network of WeWork enabled
them not just to handle their operations smoothly but touch
base with other companies that can help in their cause.
Edukasyon is an online platform for the Filipino Gen Z that
aims to empower its visitors to make informed decisions.
“It has helped take care of our daily operations but at
the same time create events; it also helped us reach out to
clients that we would have never reached out to if we didn’t
have a space like this,” Calimbahin said.
WeWork shared how it has made an impact in the
United States, with locations from coast to coast such as its
headquarters in New York City, Tampa, Florida and California.
Its report updated as of February 2019 indicated that an
average four-person company saved up to $18,000 on average
on rent, fit-out costs and broker and agent fees for an office
space of 600 square feet.
Its data also showed that WeWork is the largest private-sector
employer in New York and 17th largest in Los Angeles. It generates
$16.7 billion, or approximately 2 percent of New York’s total gross
domestic product.
These promising numbers are yet to be seen for the
Philippine market but WeWork already has plans to open
a business at the RCBC Plaza in Makati City by Q2 of 2019.
Each unit is thoughtfully designed for optimal
space usage and outfitted with the features that
matter most to professionals
Young urban professionals on the hunt for a perfectly
balanced life can now say goodbye to heavy traffic,
lengthy commutes and long queues!
A dynamic place has risen in Amorsolo Street in
Makati City.
Premier real estate developer Ayala Land is
redefining the co-living trend in Metro Manila with the
opening of The Flats. The 15-story building (right behind
Makati Medical Center) features co-living spaces for
lease designed to revolutionize the way young urban
professionals rent in the city. It’s hip, trendy and,
above all things, it is close to both work and places for
recreation.
The Flats Amorsolo is all about having the luxury of time
as it eliminates
the need to
rush from
home to office.
It mixes all the
elements that
make work-life
balance possible
— accessibility
to work and
living close to
commercial and
leisure spots.
It’s located
within a five-minute walk to Ayala Avenue and near
the Dela Rosa Walkway, as well as other shops that
cater to everyone’s convenience. So, there is no need to
endure heavy traffic or wait in long queues at bus and
UV express terminals. Occupants are free to walk from
their unit to their office without rushing.
The Flats Amorsolo is a solution for on-the-go
professionals who are challenged by long commutes
and traffic jams every day. Being close to everything
means more chances to rest and recharge, bond with
friends or enjoy
Makati’s vibrant
entertainment and
dining offers.
The co-living
units are available
for a six-month
minimum lease
term. Up to a
maximum of four
occupants can share
each space. Units
for three occupants
and two occupants
per room are also
offered. These
units are perfect
for longtime friends,
officemates and
ACCESSIBLE and functional, the loft room even professionals
can be the pick for those who want their who want to meet
desk just below their bed.
new flat mates to
grow their network.
Each unit is thoughtfully designed for optimal space
usage and outfitted with the features that matter most to
professionals — built-in beds, built-in cabinets, individual
desk spaces, air-conditioning, a kitchenette to prepare
your meals and an en suite toilet and bath with shower.
Ample security is guaranteed as each occupant is
given an electronic key card. A lobby and reception area
feature basic service shops to ensure that occupants
enjoy day-to-day home conveniences. Parking may be leased
separately.
More of
these spaces
carrying the
Ayala Land
brand will be
launched in the
coming months.
These will be
situated in
other areas
of Makati
and Bonifacio
Global City
where a huge
chunk of young urban professionals work.
Send an email to hello@theflats.com.ph or a text
message to 0917-5118113 for reservations. For more
information about The Flats Amorsolo, visit theflats.com.
ph or follow their Facebook and Instagram accounts @
theflatsamorsolo.
THE distinguishable
and vibrant facade
of The Flats brings a
youthful and fun take
on co-living.
INVITING and bright colors greet tenants
passing by the hallways.
WORK desks inside the bunk bed type room
provide functionality and efficiency.