MALAYSIA-BASED Common Ground is expanding further its footprints in the Philippines with the upcoming official launch of its second site, which houses 214 seats, bringing its total shared office space in the country to more than 500.
“The Philippine market is, I think, a priority for Common Ground if you look at the size of the economy and how robust the real-estate segment is,” Common Ground Philippines Director Enrique Gonzales told reporters recently during their press briefing held at the IBP Tower, Ortigas Center in Pasig City. “So I think there’s a long-term commitment truly built out of this brand in this country.
The coworking space operator first opened in the country—and outside of Malaysia—on November 21, 2018. Its pioneering venue is seated on the Penthouse of ArthaLand Century Pacific Tower in Bonfacio Global City, with about 320 seats catered to both start-ups and even established firms.
Seeing that the property sector constantly enjoys strong fundamentals with a growing preference toward flexible office solutions and coworking environments, it took only three months for Common Ground to put up another facility in Metro Manila.
“I think coworking space is definitely growing really fast. I definitely believe that the traditional way of how people work like in the normal office will disappear one day, not that far from here,” said Ana Lucia Aguila, expansion manager of Common Ground.
At its IBP Tower outlet, clients, depending on their space requirement, may choose to avail either a Hot Desk, with 37 seats, which is actually an entry-level product fit for a laptop; a Fixed Desk or a dedicated spot, with 18 seats, that come each with a drawer; and private offices, with a total of 159 seats, equipped each with four up to 12 seats. They can also book multiple rooms and customize the space.
Members are entitled to free refreshments and cleaning services, on-duty staff and participation in weekly organized events. Exclusive discounts and freebies from partner establishments are also on hand.
Like in other Common Ground facilities, this latest site not just offers open space with desks and Internet connections but also connects the tenants with each other as a community.
“This is something that I would say makes us different from the traditional shared office spaces, as well. When you come to Common Ground, you actually have an experience. You have the café. You have the nice interior design. You have all the perks and all the partnerships,” she explained.
“So it’s not just a place that you come and just do your job and then go back home. It’s a space that you really look forward to go to work. You connect to people, and you’re here not only to grow your business but you can just go and relax, as well. So it’s an entire experience for all,” she said.
Established in March 2017 with its first venue in Kuala Lumpur, Common Ground has since expanded to 13 locations around Southeast Asia, including two in the Philippines.
Due to positive response from the domestic market, ArthaLand’s facility has been already taken up at around 75 percent since its launch late last year.
Following its soft launch last December 17, 2018, on the other hand, occupancy in the second facility at the IBP Tower currently stands at 40 percent. It is projected to reach the same level of tenancy as the latter three months after its official kick off on February 21.
Common Ground is, likewise, set to open soon its third branch in 8 Rockwell Makati. The company looks at possible locations in Alabang, Ortigas, Makati and even outside of Metro Manila, including Cebu, Davao and Iloilo, as part of its continued expansion initiative to have an aggregate seat of 3,000.
“We have the same plan for the Philippines. We want to grow here as aggressive as Malaysia. So, hopefully, this year we can open at least eight more venues,” Aguila said.