This article is from the Australian Property Journal archive
BEKL is launching a new co-working brand Curago, responding to growing demand for flexible commercial space.
The new 1000sqm co-working space will be located in South Melbourne, just 3km of the Melbourne CBD.
BEKL has repurposed a surplus of office space, made available as COVID-19 lockdowns resulted in a shift in worker’s preferences towards remote working.
“The pandemic has caused a huge shift in the way we are able to work, with professionals proving they’re able to do their jobs remotely. More businesses are moving towards splitting their team’s time between working from home and going into the office, so we are seeing a trend in businesses decentralising their physical presence and leaning on co-working spaces instead,” said Katherine Liu, managing director at BEKL.
The new brand Curago, which means ‘take charge’, aims to provide member businesses and entrepreneurs with access to community space, with the new home of the brand within 2km of major railway stations, Flinders St Station, Southern Cross Station and Jolimont Station.
Additionally, Curago is located across from Melbourne’s Royal Botanic Garden, ensuring the space works within BEKL’s ‘Sunny Day Policy’.
“We were seeing a growing market need not currently well-serviced in the South Melbourne area – having recently been granted conditional development approval for our new mixed-use project with ample office space available, the time was ripe to fill that gap with the introduction of a new and innovative co-working space,” said Liu.
The co-working space will be comprised of a number of creative workspaces, as well as a recreational breakout lounge, a brainstorming area, private phone booths and a meditation chamber.
Curago will also aim to provide marketing support to its members, through a range of platforms and on-site initiatives. In addition to services and business facilities to remote workers, ensuring those working from home have access to amenities.
“Curago is focused on providing a positive customer experience while nurturing businesses and entrepreneurs within a supportive ecosystem or what we see as a talent pool of like-minded working professionals,” added Liu.
The co-working sector has been forecasted to grow from 2.5% of occupied office space globally in 2018 to 15% in 2028. This is despite high risk in the sector and the failure of the WeWork’s IPO.
BEKL currently has three projects in operation or under construction. This includes a mixed use development in South Melbourne, which features a Voco managed hotel, scheduled for a 2023 opening.
Curago is scheduled to open in South Melbourne in early April.
