Beyond the Build-Out: Why Real Estate Developers Partner with Innit

The Opportunity, and the Competition

Flexible workspace is no longer a niche bet. U.S. coworking locations grew 15% between the start of 2025 and 2026, adding more than 22.5 million square feet. Coworking now accounts for 2.2% of total U.S. office inventory — roughly one of every 45 square feet. In Manhattan, the country''s largest coworking market, there are more than 12.4 million square feet of flexible office space.

That growth means more choice for members. When every space offers desks, Wi-Fi, and coffee, the amenities stop being the differentiator. Community becomes the product.

Community Drives Membership

Members consistently say the social side of coworking is what they are paying for. In Deskmag''s global member survey, the top deciding factors for choosing a space were a social atmosphere (59%), interaction with other members (56%), and a strong community (55%), ranking above proximity to home and value for money.

Programming is how that community gets built. The Deskpass U.S. Coworking Survey found that a welcoming staff and member events had the biggest impact on members'' sense of community.

Community Drives Retention and Referrals

A connected member is not only a retained member, but also a recruiter. According to Deskmag''s 2022 survey, over 86% of spaces say member referrals are one of their most important sources of income. Members who feel engaged in their coworking community are excited to introduce more members into the fray.

Planning for the Next Generation of Members

The next wave of coworking members is growing up without places previous generations used to gather. Traditional third spaces — the places outside home and work where people connect — are disappearing, and younger workers feel it most.

• Gen Z reports the highest rate of loneliness of any generation, with 67% classified as lonely, according to Cigna''s 2025 reporting.
• A GWI global survey found 80% of Gen Z felt lonely in the past year, compared with 45% of Baby Boomers.
• Gen Z was on track to make up 27% of the workforce by 2025.

This is an opening for coworking. A space with real community programming can serve as both a workplace and a third space: somewhere members go not just to work, but to belong. Developers who build for that now are positioning their assets for the members of the next decade.

Where Innit Comes In

We turn square footage into a community. Innit brings curated, interactive experiences into your space that get members away from their desks and talking to each other.

We do the vendor research. Your team does not need to build an events operation from scratch. Innit sources, vets, and matches vendors to your members and your space.

We design for the next generation. Novel, in-person experiences give younger members the connection they are missing and a reason to choose your space over working from home.

We give your community team a win. Well-attended events create the energy that shows up on tours, in social posts, and in word-of-mouth referrals.

Proof in Practice: Tishman Speyer

At a Tishman Speyer coworking space in NYC''s West Village, community events typically drew 15 to 17 attendees who grabbed their food and left. Innit brought in The Wandering Shucker Co. for a 90-minute oyster pop-up.

• 47 attendees, roughly triple typical turnout
• No one left early; members stayed to network
• 35% came back for seconds within the hour

"Bringing the office together."

The Bottom Line for Development Teams

The build-out gets members in the door. Community keeps them there. Innit helps you deliver the programming that drives membership, strengthens retention, and makes your space the third place the next generation is looking for.

Partner with Innit on Your Next Coworking Space

Converting a property into a flexible workspace? Contact Innit to build community programming into your plan from day one.