- Liberty Flexible Workspaces is set to open its sixth space in Joondalup
- The company celebrates its tenth birthday this week
- There are plans to open more spaces in other suburban catchment areas
The first of a new hybrid flexible workspace will open this September in the Lakeside Shopping Centre, Joondalup.
West Australian flexible workspace provider Liberty is behind the space, and this will be their sixth location in the Perth metro region.
There will be 122 workstations, 34 private offices and a co-working space, with a lounge area and two boardrooms, spread across 776 square metres in the new space.
The company celebrates its tenth birthday this week, and has been keen to jump on the ‘post’ pandemic trend of flexible workplaces, with office workers spending some time in a central office, as well as working time at home or in ‘hubs’ elsewhere.
“The hub and spoke principle [involves] corporate headquarters remaining centrally located … combined with the use of satellite offices for teams and employees in suburban catchments.”
Jamie Vine, Liberty CEO
“The main office is still the place for key collaborative work, where company culture is nurtured, and where professional development and career progression relies on proximity to managers and executives, but the use of our satellite locations near employees’ homes means the long commute to the CBD becomes less regular.
“We know it is what staff are demanding and in today’s skills shortage it pays to listen and respond.”
Mr Vine believes this strategy reduces the amount of floor space required centrally and will trickle down to medium and small businesses as it becomes mainstream.
“Many enjoy the ‘work-from-home’ model without it affecting productivity. However, working from home is not practical for everyone, many have young children, are struggling with residential internet connections or do not have the space to dedicate to a home office,” he said.
Local Mayor, and former state minister, Hon. Albert Jacob expressed his support for the development.
“With the impact of COVID-19, the key to unlocking the future of work means that Joondalup is needing more co-working spaces and incubators. The City is transitioning [to] an economy focused on innovation, entrepreneurship, business and investment,”
he said.
“Having Liberty Flexible Workplaces opening in Joondalup provides an opportunity for our residents and the wider community to access co-working spaces to support working close to home.”
The new Joondalup facility will bring Liberty’s portfolio up to 7,000sqm of office space across the Perth Metro, incorporating 767 workstations in private offices and 78 co-working desks.
With expansion sites already identified south of the Swan River and in Fremantle, the company is looking to expand further into suburban catchments to meet the demands of a changing workforce.
