HBC has announced the opening of coworking centers in Saks stores, an initiative it is calling SaksWorks.
HBC is the parent company of Hudson’s Bay, which owns the retailer. Next month SaksWorks will roll out in five locations in the tri-state area, including Manhasset, NY, Greenwich, CT, and Eastchester, NY. In addition, two locations—at Brookfield Place and the Saks Fifth Avenue New York flagship—will open in New York City.
HBC says that SaksWorks will provide work and meeting spaces, artisanal cafes, restaurant space, retail, fitness studios and programmed events for members.
SaksWorks service providers include Restaurant Associates, performance and recovery studio BDY SQD and WeWork.
SaksWorks President Amy Nelson will run the venture. At her previous stop, The Riveter, Nelson raised $30 million to open ten coworking spaces for working women across the country.
“The pandemic has changed so much about our lives, including how we work and where we live,” Nelson said in prepared remarks..” I’m thrilled to join SaksWorks in its efforts to serve the millions of Americans who now work remotely from their suburban homes or who find themselves as part-time commuters in this hybrid world. We all deserve a beautiful place to work and gather.”
With remote work becoming mainstream, flexible workspace is gaining popularity. That strength has drawn new players into the business.
Earlier this month as one example, WeWork and Cushman & Wakefield inked an exclusive partnership to allow the global CRE firm to market both landlords and businesses on WeWork’s management experience platform, as well as on new jointly developed solutions.
In a joint statement announcing the partnership, the firms say the deal will “provide landlords and businesses with the ability to create a differentiated workplace experience for tenants and employees in the new hybrid world of work where flexibility remains at the forefront.”