Are Coworking Spaces Coming to Apartments?

The lines between home and office are blurring. With remote and hybrid work here to stay, many apartment communities are now adding coworking spaces as a sought-after amenity.

Gone are the days when apartments only needed a gym or pool; today’s renters want residential coworking spaces that let them work professionally just steps from their door.

In fact, a recent industry report notes that nearly half of apartment renters express interest in having shared workspaces on-site. This trend of coworking in apartments is driven by changing lifestyles and is reshaping how people live and work.

The Shift in Work and Living Expectations

Surveys show that a vast majority of employees now prefer flexible work options. For example, a 2022 Pew Research study found that 78% of remote workers want to continue working from home whenever possible.

Likewise, consultancy research indicates that about two-thirds of companies expect to maintain permanent hybrid work setups in the future. As a result, renters are rethinking what “home” means. Location and commute time have become huge factors in choosing a home, and many people are now prioritising properties with built-in workspaces.

This new normal creates strong demand for flexible work environments close to home. It’s no surprise, then, that apartment developers are responding by integrating coworking in apartments so residents can be productive without a commute.

Why Apartments Are Adopting Coworking Models

Apartment builders see coworking as a powerful draw. In an interview, Camden Property Trust’s CEO put it simply: “It’s something you have to do today. It’s an amenity, like a pool.” Indeed, adding coworking capabilities lets developers tap into new market segments of remote professionals and students.

A mixed-use coworking lounge can make a building stand out in a crowded rental market. Better yet, research shows it’s not just a “nice-to-have” amenity – nearly half of renters actually want it.

In India, the demand is gaining momentum across metros like Delhi NCR, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Pune, where developers are rolling out in-building coworking studios with desks, fast Wi-Fi, and private booking rooms.

Not just new builds, some premium apartments are being retrofitted to include these workspaces—especially in upscale and gated communities, as reported by The Hindu.

Developers also benefit indirectly. By converting unused common rooms or lounges into work hubs, buildings increase tenant satisfaction and lease renewals. Happy residents stay longer, which reduces vacancy and turnover costs.

And since professionals often pay premiums for convenience, properties with apartment coworking can justify higher rents or prices. Some projects even monetise the space by offering membership passes or opening it to the public for a fee. In short, coworking spaces help create a stronger brand for the building while answering renters’ new work-life needs.

Also Read: How to Register a Company in India

Features of Residential Coworking Spaces

Apartment coworking spaces look more like modern offices than noisy café corners. Key features include:

Thoughtful Design and Comfort: Ergonomic desks and chairs, abundant natural light, and tasteful decor make the workspace inviting. Good lighting and soundproof partitions help avoid turning it into a “checked-the-box” amenity.
High-Speed Connectivity: Reliable gigabit Wi-Fi and ample power outlets are a must for any remote professional. Some buildings even install built-in monitors or whiteboards for serious work sessions.
Private Focus Areas: Phone booths and small meeting rooms give users a quiet place for calls and conferences.
Business Amenities: Things like printers, scanners, and video-conference gear let residents treat it like a regular office.
Casual Spaces: Coffee bars, lounge areas or even game tables can encourage collaboration and community.
Access Control and Booking: Secure entry systems (key fobs or smart locks) and online booking platforms ensure only authorised residents (or paying guests) use the space.

Together, these features make residential coworking spaces fully functional “third places.” They let renters transition smoothly between work and life without leaving their neighbourhood.

Also Read: How to Grow a Coworking Business

Case Studies and Examples

These ideas aren’t hypothetical – real apartment projects are already doing it. Here are some notable examples:

Brooklyn, NY: The Willoughby tower opened with a fully-equipped coworking floor. It features semi-private worknooks and a conference room with skyline views. Source
Long Beach, CA: Camden Harbor View’s “The Hub” is a 10,000-sqft resident workspace. It offers fast Wi-Fi, cloud printing, and lounge seating.
Wembley Park, UK: Quintain Living, a 10-building complex, provides bookable private offices, booth-style work pods, and conference rooms across its campus. Source
Austin, TX: Sixth & Guadalupe, a downtown tower, includes coworking areas in its ground-floor lobby and amenity deck.
Pune, India: The Mantra Mirari project has integrated high-tech coworking suites for residents.
Mumbai, India: At Ten BKC, apartments come with premium coworking lounges and business services. Source
Major Indian Cities (Delhi NCR, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune): Developers are incorporating shared workspaces and tech-enabled coworking studios as standard in residential buildings.
Austin, TX (again): Flatiron Domain partnered with Craftwork Coffee Co. to build an in-house coworking café.
Kansas City, MO: The Two Light apartments included a ground-floor coworking space open to outside members for extra revenue.

These examples show how widespread the trend is – from U.S. metros to India’s big cities. In each case, the goal is the same: let residents “go to work” without going far.

Also Read: Coworking Check-Ins to Contracts Guide

Benefits to Residents and Developers

For Residents: With a coworking area in the building, many professionals save zero commute time – they simply walk from home to work. This not only cuts travel costs and office lunch bills, but also recaptures hours lost in traffic.
Having a dedicated workspace at home also boosts productivity and helps separate work life from home life. Students and freelancers particularly love having private focus nooks or meeting rooms on site.

For Developers: Adding a coworking hub can be a strategic win. It differentiates the property and becomes a marketing highlight for tech-savvy renters. Builders can position their community as forward-thinking, attracting young professionals and digital nomads.
Amenities like these improve tenant retention. Residents who feel supported in their lifestyles tend to renew leases. Coworking areas don’t have to directly charge users to pay off; the real value often comes through higher occupancy and lease rates.
Some developments do offer membership passes or even sell access to non-residents, turning underused space into an extra income stream.

Future Outlook and Challenges

Looking ahead, the fusion of coworking and co-living seems inevitable. Analysts predict more hybrid projects where living and working coexist on the same campus. Residential buildings with built-in workspaces – essentially, small office floors inside condos or apartments – are gaining traction.

Developers in India’s Bangalore, Delhi-NCR and other markets are already announcing new projects with these facilities. The Hindu highlights that this trend is also expanding into Tier-2 cities and suburban townships, where demand for live-work lifestyle setups is growing.

However, challenges remain. Retrofitting existing buildings can be tricky. Managers must navigate zoning and permitting rules if they want to open the workspace to the public. Even for private use, the space must maintain a home-like feel.

Designers warn that if a lobby looks too “corporate,” it may deter residents. Security and privacy are also concerns – access controls and reservation systems are essential. Finally, operators must ensure these spaces are actually used enough to justify the investment.

Despite the hurdles, the momentum is clear. With hybrid work and digital nomadism on the rise, apartment coworking trends seem poised to grow. Each year brings more evidence that work-from-home doesn’t just happen at the kitchen table. For renters, developers, and coworking brands, this trend is a sign of how work and home life are intertwining in the modern city.

Conclusion

Coworking spaces are coming to apartment buildings – and fast. Today’s renters expect modern conveniences that mirror the office experience, and savvy developers are delivering. Whether it’s a quiet study room, a lounge with free coffee, or a full-service work hub, residential coworking spaces are transforming apartments into true live-work communities.

For renters and remote workers, this means more convenience, flexibility and community. For developers and property managers, it’s a way to future-proof their buildings and keep tenants happy. If you’re apartment hunting, look for communities advertising on-site coworking or co-living amenities. And if you’re a developer or coworking provider, consider how integrating a shared office environment could set your project apart.