A global workspace company credited with helping make modern office space more hip is to open its first premises in Scotland.
WeWork, famed for quirky furniture and break-out areas with the likes of pool and Pac-Man, is to launch at 80 George Street in Edinburgh by the end of the year with space for 800 workers, or members.
It is claimed the members will benefit from close working with co-workers in ventures of different sizes and in a range of spheres.
READ MORE: WeWork still committed to UK despite Brexit uncertainty
The New York-headquartered company, founded in 2010 by Adam Neumann and Miguel McKelvey, was one of the first co-working providers of its kind and allowed entrepreneurs and start-ups to rent single desks or small spaces on flexible leases alongside larger firms.
There are now 400,000 members globally and in Edinburgh a mix of small to medium-sized companies and larger firms is expected.
Big enterprise makes up 32 per cent of its building occupants and includes companies such as HSBC, Microsoft and Deloitte.
The offering is expected to include social space, and events and activities would be run at a rate of 10-15 per week.
The firm has around 50 buildings in London and last year opened in Manchester, as well as being in 100 cities in 27 cities.
Mathieu Proust, general manager of WeWork UK and Ireland, above, said: “Edinburgh is a great statement. I think it is going to be a fantastic city for us.”
The firm holds wellness events and in some buildings yoga, boxing or mindfulness sessions.
The company says it bids to create melting pots for ideas, and runs incubator and training services which could also be introduced in Scotland.
Mr Proust added: “We do three things. We offer workspace, we offer services for our members and we offer community.”
The George Street building, which has a terrace with views of the castle, was reported to have had a £4m revamp last year.
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