As demand for flexspace continues to grow, IWG is launching luxurious new workspaces in China and Belgium – both of which feature in our list of five eye-catching Signature locations around the world. 

Signature, one of IWG's leading global brands known for its luxury workspaces, is set to expand its presence with the launch of two brand-new locations in Shanghai and Brussels. This brings the number of Signature workspaces around the world to more than 40, with new locations opening continuously over the coming months.

It’s part of an ever-growing worldwide trend towards flexible workspace, with global commercial real estate company JLL predicting that 30% of all commercial properties will be flexible workspaces by 2030. For building owners and property investors, the opportunity to effectively monetise real estate via hybrid work facilities is plain to see. 

Companies seeking flexible leases in upscale city centre locations – and individual workers looking to add gravitas to their meetings – are turning to Signature workspaces. Each space aims to offer elevated service in a luxurious hotel-like setting. Across the globe, locations have been opened in eye-catching buildings with unique histories and prestigious surroundings. 

Starting with the brand new venues in Shanghai and Brussels, here are five highly sought-after Signature locations currently on the map. 

Signature around the world: Five must-know locations 

Shanghai, China

Situated in the iconic Jinmao Tower, the city’s third tallest building, the new Signature Shanghai sits in the heart of the Lujiazui Finance and Trade Zone. The area is popularly referred to as the ‘Wall Street of China.’

The proportions of Jinmao Tower revolve around the number eight, associated with prosperity in Chinese culture. Its 88 floors are encased by a sleek glass exterior, while a white marble lobby takes you to the office floors, where you find airy open-plan workspaces and private meeting rooms.

Already home to 24 IWG workspaces, and a magnet for digital nomads thanks to its modern infrastructure and cultural heritage, it’s little wonder that Shanghai boasts a vibrant coworking scene. A historic stalwart of business and commerce, Shanghai is also a prime destination for startups: PwC ranks it second among the top Chinese cities for unicorn company distribution. 

Feng Shao, an IWG franchisee partner, says of his commercial real estate portfolio in Shanghai: “[There is] a great demand for flexible workspace here. China has built a lot of commercial space in the process of urbanisation… which can be converted into flexible workspace.”

Brussels, Belgium

Alongside Shanghai, a brand new Signature has also been unveiled in Brussels. Diegem Park 7 is strategically located between the centre of the city and Brussels Airport, making accessibility ultra-convenient for locals and business travellers alike. 

The workspace is part of the pioneering Park 7, a vibrant, green campus that provides several environmentally-friendly community buildings for working and living. The Park 7 mantra is that “healthy people do better work, and better work makes better businesses.”

As well as innovative work hubs, another major draw for workers, companies and property investors is Brussels’ booming local tech sector. According to Seedtable, Brussels raised $740 Million in capital in 2022, after raising $470 Million in 2021. With state-of-the-art coworking centres like Signature Diegem Park 7 adding to the facilities available for startups, freelancers and investors, this rapid growth looks likely to continue. 

Manhattan, USA

Signature Manhattan boasts 58,000 square feet of luxurious office and coworking space at a prestigious address on Park Avenue. 

Located next to Grand Central Station, the centre was developed as a joint venture between IWG and landlord AEW Capital Management. The space was renovated with a modern lobby area and a cutting edge security system that uses Apple technology to streamline employee and guest check-ins. It boasts four meeting and board rooms, plus a mix of private offices and coworking spaces with more than 200 workstations.

Need some creative inspiration during your work day? This eye-catching Signature centre features a customisable video ceiling that displays a rotating gallery of curated works by local artists.

Bishopsgate, London, UK

Signature’s latest addition to the City of London comes courtesy of a stunning 40-storey tower in the capital’s financial district. 100 Bishopsgate is a “landmark building, which is creating a new destination for the City,” says Stephen Holloway, UK Network Development Director for IWG. 

Joining an impressive portfolio of London-based Signature workspaces, which includes Pall Mall and Berkeley Square, this glass-clad skyscraper offers all the sophistication expected by companies seeking flexibility with gravitas. Across 80,000 square feet, both companies and solo workers can make the most of hybrid working, benefitting from spacious workspaces flooded with light.

Aside from the tower, Signature members also have access to the historic St Catherine’s Place, an adjoining low-rise building offering a different working environment, still hallmarked by the same Signature luxury.

Abu Dhabi, UAE

The Signature office at Al Maqam Tower finds itself in the centre of Abu Dhabi’s rapidly growing tech hub in ADGM Square, Al Maryah Island. Reachable by car, bus or subway, a stunning contemporary lobby greets visitors before they venture inwards for work, networking, or both. 

The airy, light-filled offices boast stunning 360° panoramic windows, while local cafes and restaurants lie right on Al Maqam’s doorstep and across Maryah Island. This convenient blend of business and leisure side-by-side is a key part of the hybrid work model, making it easier than ever for workers to establish a healthy work-life balance. 

“Our UAE openings come at a time when more and more companies are discovering that flexible working boosts employee happiness and satisfaction, while helping the environment,” says Mark Dixon. 

Wherever you are in the world, find out more about hybrid working and IWG’s unparalleled network of flexspaces. If you’re interested in the corporate real estate opportunity, learn more about developing a location with us. If you’re a broker, partnering with IWG allows you to offer your clients a flexible solution regardless of their location.