Convene and x+why plot joint flex and events spaces
Events space operator Convene and flexible office company x+why are looking to take on sites together in a UK team-up.
The pair is looking for buildings in which they can run high-end hospitality amenities, including food and beverage offerings, as well as workspace.
Both companies declined to comment on the plans, which are understood to be at an early stage.
Events space operator Convene and flexible office company x+why are looking to take on sites together in a UK team-up.
The pair is looking for buildings in which they can run high-end hospitality amenities, including food and beverage offerings, as well as workspace.
Both companies declined to comment on the plans, which are understood to be at an early stage.
Convene co-founder Ryan Simonetti has spoken about a new era of consolidation and dealmaking in the flex office sector following WeWork’s bankruptcy, saying on social media that the process would “further accelerate consolidation within the ‘flex’ sector”.
Convene’s UK business has seen a change at the top following the departure of Elliott Sparsis. From next month the business will be overseen by Niamh Martin, who spent more than six years at retail giant Selfridges running 22 restaurants across London, Manchester and Birmingham.
Last year the company revealed plans for its largest UK site yet, 45,000 sq ft of meetings and events space at Sancroft, St Paul’s, EC4. The company’s portfolio has also been boosted by its acquisition of etc.venues, which had 16 venues in London, Manchester, Birmingham and New York.
X+why’s portfolio includes offices in Chiswick, Whitechapel, Spitalfields and Holborn in London, as well as two spaces in Birmingham. Last year the company leased nearly 60,000 sq ft of space at Birmingham’s Foundry to Lloyds Banking Group, in one of the year’s largest flex deals outside of London.
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Convene venue at 22 Bishopsgate © Convene
