The International Workplace Group (IWG), the world's largest provider of flexible workspace solutions under brands such as Spaces and Regus, will open a new location in Cologne-Fühlingen in October. This expansion responds to the ongoing trend towards more flexible working models and the growing demand for corresponding solutions in Germany. The new workspace is located in Science Park North43.
This opening follows a period for the company that saw the highest revenue, cash flow, and profit growth in its history, as well as significant network expansion. In the first half of 2026 alone, 728 new locations were contracted worldwide, increasing the global network to over 6,000 contracted locations in more than 120 countries. In 2025, IWG contracted 1,132 new locations, 99 percent of which were partnership agreements. Additionally, 83 percent of Fortune 500 companies are among IWG's clientele.
Capital-light growth strategy and demand development
IWG pursues a capital-light growth strategy that drives the majority of its expansion; 95 percent of locations are realised through managed partnership agreements. This model enables property owners and investors to maximise returns on their assets, while IWG efficiently expands its global network. KM 675 Sürth GmbH & Co. KG has decided to invest in the International Workplace Group's platform to optimise the yields of its property spaces and benefit from the growing demand for hybrid working models.
The new Cologne location is a response to the sharply increasing regional demand for high-quality flexible workspaces. It is designed to offer suitable spaces to established companies as well as start-ups from relevant regional economic sectors such as media, information technology, logistics and trade, biotechnology, automotive engineering, and insurance. IWG's “Design Your Own Office” service allows companies to individually design their premises. The location will include private offices, meeting rooms, as well as co-working and creative areas.
Market dynamics and strategic importance
The relevance of hybrid working models is underscored by current market analyses. An IWG survey of CFOs revealed that 80 percent of respondents consider hybrid working an integral part of their strategy for cost reduction and efficiency improvement. Complementary studies by the Leibniz Centre for European Economic Research show that 88 percent of German IT companies have driven the expansion of hybrid working models. Given an estimated 1.2 billion office workers worldwide and an addressable market of over 2 trillion US dollars, there is significant growth potential for flexible workspace solutions.
Christian Schmitz, CEO of International Workplace Group PLC, stated that there is a rising demand for their solutions as companies of all sizes increasingly adopt capital-light operating models. He emphasised that companies directly recognise the benefits of hybrid and flexible working models, which enhance employee satisfaction and productivity and lead to more efficient ways of working. The recent opening in Cologne-Fühlingen strengthens the network in a strategically important new market and enables the company to offer businesses more flexibility and access to high-quality workspaces closer to their employees' homes and workplaces.
KM 675 Sürth GmbH & Co. KG added that the new location in Science Park North43 offers an ideal environment for established companies and start-ups from sectors such as pharma, automotive, media, and finance. Through the partnership with ESPG, high-quality spatial facilities would be combined with IWG's marketing strength to strategically expand the network in Cologne.
