From WeWork to Spaces: Which NYC Office Brand Suits You Best?

Helena Sampayo
Helena Sampayo

So, you’ve been tasked with finding a new office for your team in New York City. One that’s private, available on a flexible lease, and comes with top-notch facilities and amenities. Quite the job!

Luckily, NYC isn’t short of options when it comes to flexible office space. In fact, the city’s inventory rose from 482 to 522 active locations in Q3 2025. That’s an 8.3% quarter-on-quarter increase, which means there are more NYC flexible office brands to choose from than ever before.

But each workspace provider offers a different workplace experience, and the right choice ultimately depends on what suits your team and business goals.

In this guide, Hubble compares some of the most popular NYC office brands—such as WeWork, Industrious and Spaces—to help you understand the key differences and choose the best fit.

Why office brand matters when renting a private office in NYC

You may be wondering why flexible workspace needs to be looked at on a brand level. After all, WeWork, Industrious, and Spaces look identical on paper, right?

All three offer flexible workspace options; private offices, coworking desks, and meeting rooms you can book as needed. They’re also ‘serviced‘, meaning everything is ready to go from the day you move in (yes, that includes furniture and utilities). And costs are simplified into an all-inclusive fee, so amenities like meeting rooms or gyms are typically included in your monthly rent.

But the day-to-day experience can feel very different depending on the workspace provider. Let’s unpack them, one by one:

A deeper look at each famous NYC office brand

WeWork

WeWork is one of the first brands New Yorkers think of when they picture flexible office space.

They were among the early breakout names of the flexible workspace boom in the early 2010s, helping bring coworking into the mainstream across New York City, and major markets like San Francisco soon after.

Fast-forward to the 2020s, and WeWork is a major global flexible workspace provider, offering everything from hot desks to private offices across 30+ countries and 100+ cities.

WeWork’s scale is further reflected in its brand messaging, with a clear focus on flexibility and choice. They want to give companies the option to grow in ways that suit them, whether that means expanding their space or adding new locations over time.

For NYC teams, the practical advantage is clear in that every company that takes a private office with them has autonomy over how and where they grow. This means more buildings to choose from, coverage across neighbhorhoods like Brooklyn and Manhattan, and workspace options that suit different team sizes and ways of working—whether that’s in New York or beyond.

WeWork also places a strong emphasis on community; it’s woven into its fabric. That’s why many buildings across NYC have modern breakout areas, glass-walled offices, and coworking spaces with a distinct coffee-shop vibe (some even offer free barista-style coffee, so there’s no need to queue at your local Blue Bottle!).

That community feel also shows up in the day-to-day running of the space. No matter which WeWork you choose, you’ll usually find regular events and talks, including member mixers, workshops, and discussions led by industry professionals.

In other words, WeWork is designed for teams that don’t want to stand still. It works for day-to-day office life now, and makes it easier to scale up and grow over time.

WeWork Summary

  • A global network with flexibility to grow: WeWork’s scale gives teams real flexibility, whether you want to expand your office, add new desks, or open locations in other cities over time.
  • Community is the point: Events, talks and member mixers are part of the experience to help teams connect and network.
  • A distinctive workspace style: Expect modern layouts, glass-walled offices, and plenty of breakout space designed to make the workday feel less “traditional”.

Industrious

If WeWork is the name most people associate with coworking, Industrious has earned itself a different identity in NYC.

From a brand perspective, Industrious positions itself around offering a premium work experience—with flexible workspaces that are “thoroughly professional and thoughtfully designed”.

This positioning is consistent across their messaging. They want their spaces to feel polished, calm, and run by a team of area managers who are dedicated to improving your working day.

Fast-forward to today, and Industrious has grown into a major flexible office brand in its own right, marketing 160+ locations across regions including the US, UK, Europe and Asia.

For NYC teams weighing up taking a private office with Industrious, the main thing to know is that they offer a premium, hospitality-led workplace experience.

With things like daily breakfast, craft coffee, dedicated on-site support, and professional-grade cleaning included in your rent, Industrious’ NYC workspaces are designed to feel more polished, luxurious, and thoughtfully run. (It’s no wonder they have some of the industry’s highest member satisfaction ratings on Google and Yelp!)

And it’s not just the service that feels premium. Industrious locations often come with genuinely competitive amenities, like event spaces and rooftop terraces. And in some buildings, you’ll even find extras like an on-site gym. In some ways, Industrious is like a fancy all-inclusive hotel, but for businesses.

And those businesses range from startups to Fortune 500s, with clients including Spotify, Lyft, and Salesforce. That level of enterprise appeal could be down to the fact that Industrious is backed by CBRE—a small yet meaningful detail gives larger companies extra confidence.

Industrious Summary

  • Premium, hospitality-led experience: A more polished, service-first take on flexible office space, with the little details baked in.
  • Competitive amenities: Industrious’ locations go beyond the basics, with standout features like event space, rooftop terraces, and even on-site gyms in select buildings.
  • Enterprise credibility: Backed by CBRE, which can be a reassuring detail for larger teams and corporate decision-makers.

Spaces

Next, we have Spaces.

Spaces (IWG) is another major name in NYC’s flexible office market, but it sits in a slightly different lane than WeWork and Industrious. It’s best suited to distributed teams, global and hybrid workforces, and larger companies that want a workspace solution that can support them across multiple locations.

From a brand perspective, Spaces’ main value is global access, scale, and long-term stability. And since it’s part of the wider IWG network, it’s a strong choice for businesses that want a flexible office setup in NYC but also need the option to expand into other markets over time.

In terms of day-to-day feel, Spaces tends to land as more professional, though the office vibe can vary depending on the specific building. The overall employee experience is often described as functional and flexible, rather than heavily “experience-led” or community-driven.

This can be a big plus for teams that simply want a dependable, straightforward office base, with the flexibility to scale.

That said, the main trade-off is a community feel. Compared to some competitors, the experience across locations may feel more corporate and less community-focused.

Spaces (IWG) Summary

  • Built for scale: A strong option for distributed teams, hybrid workforces, and enterprises that want access to a wide global network.
  • Practical and professional: A more functional, businesslike coworking experience that focuses on flexibility and convenience over community.
  • More varied by location: The experience can differ depending on the specific building, so it’s worth viewing a few options to find the right fit for your team.

WeWork vs Industrious vs Spaces: A NYC flexible office brand comparison

WeWorkIndustriousSpaces (IWG)
Primary ValueSpeed, flexibility, brand recognitionPremium experience, consistency, serviceGlobal access, scale, long-term stability
VibeEnergetic, social, modernCalm, polished, hospitality-led Professional (varies by location)
Employee ExperienceCommunity-driven, collaborativeQuiet, comfortable, productivity-firstFunctional, flexible, less experience-led
FlexibilityVery high — easy to scale up/downHigh — but more tailored/consultativeHigh
Best forFast-growing teams, startups, innovation groups, enterprisesProfessional teams, SMEs, enterprisesDistributed teams, global & hybrid workforces, enterprises
Geographical ReachStrong in major global citiesFocused on top markets— US, Asia, UKExtensive global network
FacilitiesWiFi
Cleaning
Mailing Addresses
Trading Addresses
Meeting Rooms
Kitchen
Secure Access
Furniture
24hr Access
Utilities
Reception
Printing
Breakout Space
Fruit and Snacks
Disabled Access
WiFi
Cleaning
Mailing Addresses
Trading Addresses
Meeting Rooms
Kitchen
Secure Access
Furniture
24hr Access
Utilities
Reception
Printing
Breakout Space
Fruit and Snacks
Disabled Access
WiFi
Cleaning
Mailing Addresses
Trading Addresses
Meeting Rooms
Kitchen
Secure Access
Furniture
24hr Access
Utilities
Reception
Printing
Breakout Space
Fruit and Snacks
Disabled Access
Extra Amenities Cafe
Events and Talks
Pet-friendly Access
Bike Storage
Coffee and Tea
Parking
Event Space
Cafe
Rooftop Terrace
Events and Talks
Showers
Bike Storage
Coffee and Tea
Beer and Wine
Parking
Event Space
Cafe
Rooftop Terrace
Pet-friendly Access
Bike Storage
Coffee and Tea
Parking
ChallengesCan feel noisy; experience varies; some buyers cautious post-restructuringFewer locations; less social energy; often higher price pointLess community focus; more corporate feel; can feel more like a transactional experience

How to decide which NYC flexible office brand is best for you

Step one: Survey your team

With so many flexible office brands operating across New York City, choosing the right one isn’t just about price or aesthetics. It starts with understanding what your team actually needs.

A good first step is to get your employees involved. A short internal survey can quickly reveal which facilities and amenities matter most for your NYC private office space, such as quiet focus areas, event space, or bike storage.

It will also give you a clearer idea of how many desks you really need, especially if your company is hybrid or has employees who are distributed across the globe. Those preferences can naturally point you towards certain brands over others.

Step two: Nail down a location

Next, think carefully about location.

Commute times, nearby transport links, and the surrounding neighbourhood all play a big role in how often people come into the office (and how much they enjoy being there!)

Once you know which areas of NYC work best for your team, you’ll often find that your choice of brand narrows down too, as not every operator has a presence in every neighborhood.

Step three: Get expert advice

Finally, don’t feel like you have to navigate the market alone. Working with a flexible workspace platform can save you a huge amount of time.

Platforms like Hubble bring multiple brands and buildings together in one place. They’ll also have workspace experts who make it easier to compare options, understand real pricing, and shortlist spaces that fit your brief. They can also help you access availability and deals that aren’t always visible through a simple online search.

Read the Ultimate Guide to Renting a Private Office Space in NYC

How Hubble can help

Choosing between WeWork, Industrious and Spaces doesn’t have to be confusing. By considering your team’s needs and preferred NYC office brand, you can find a flexible workspace that supports both day-to-day work and long-term growth

If you’d like support in choosing the right brand and space for your team, Hubble can help. Our flexible workspace platform features private offices from leading operators across more than 150 locations in the US, including New York City, making it easier to compare your options in one place.

With over 25 years of combined experience, our sales advisors are on hand to take the pressure off. They’ll recommend the brands and buildings that best match your priorities, organise and attend viewings, and help secure discounts of up to 15%—all at no cost to you.

Get in touch and find your perfect NYC office brand today!

FAQs

What are the main differences between WeWork, Industrious and Spaces in NYC?

WeWork is known for its large-scale and community-driven workspace approach. Industrious focuses on a premium, hospitality-led environment backed by CBRE, while Spaces (IWG) offers flexible, professional workspaces suited for distributed teams and cross-location needs.

Can I scale my flexible office space with all three brands?

Yes! All three brands offer flexible terms and multiple locations in NYC. WeWork and Spaces have broad global networks, while Industrious is backed by CBRE, which some larger teams find appealing for enterprise-level flexibility.

Which brand should my team choose for a flexible private office in NYC?

The best choice depends on what matters most to your team—whether it’s community and networking (WeWork), a premium work experience (Industrious), or flexible, professional space across multiple locations (Spaces). Conducting an internal survey and reviewing location availability can help narrow this down, as well as working with a flexible workspace provider.

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