The Shops Buckhead Atlanta has secured a lease with No18, a new-to-market flexible workspace business. Slated to open later this fall, No18 will be located at 3017 Bolling Way and will occupy nearly 32,000 square feet of retail space. The location at The Shops Buckhead Atlanta will be the Swedish firm's first in the United States and according to its website just its third overall.
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| Interior of an existing No18 location |
The Shops Buckhead Atlanta distributed a press release earlier today announcing the new lease.
"No18 will offer a range of curated, flexible workspace options that will cater to the individual needs of Atlanta’s diverse mix of companies. The amenity-rich offerings will help boost productivity and foster a creative and rewarding working lifestyle. The bright and inviting space will be housed in the center of one of Atlanta’s most energetic and convenient neighborhoods, walking distance to public transportation and steps away from renowned restaurants, high-end boutiques, and prestigious hotels."
It's worth noting that No18 is about three-tenths of a mile from the St. Regis but is closer (about a half mile) to both the Quality Suites and Staybridge Suites [both limited service hotels] than it is to any other "prestigious hotels."
No18, which began in 2012 and was acquired by "global operator of flexible workspaces" IWG plc (formerly Regus) in 2017, is meant to be the sibling offering to that of fellow IWG owned business, SPACES, another flexible working concept.
Both SPACES, with five Atlanta locations - Colony Square, The Battery Atlanta, Perimeter, Midtown East & Avalon - and No18, face significant competition in the growing flexible workspace business.
Homegrown business Roam has six Atlanta locations, including one in Buckhead at Tower Place, as well as WeWork and Industrious also with Buckhead locations amongst a growing presence for each brand in the Atlanta market.
The addition of such a pretentious, over the top flexible work space to Buckhead Atlanta, already struggling to attract more mainstream customers is a bit of a headscratcher. The upscale development, which opened in 2014, has been plagued by the perception that it's "too high-end" and does not have enough approachable restaurants and retailers. While the addition of Bealls Outlet, Burlington [Coat Factory] or even Chick-fil-A is not what the center needs, I'm not sure this is either.
Are you surprised by the opening of No18 at The Shops Buckhead Atlanta? Do you currently work in a No18 type concept? If so, where and why? What do you think could be added (or subtracted) from The Shops Buckhead Atlanta to make it more appealing?
Please share your thoughts below
