Macerich malls opens co-working spaces aimed at startups and large retailers

Art Coppola, Macerich’s CEO, said the company will put co-working spaces in an unspecified number of malls in its network of 48 shopping centers in the U.S., starting with 33,000 square feet inside Scottsdale, Ariz.-based Fashion Square in January.

Industrious CEO Jamie Hodari said the spaces could be used by startups wanting to test products or add a physical location to complement an e-commerce store; or by established companies wanting space for back-office operations. The challenge will be in developing one design that works for different types of companies and integrating the space within the mall while maintaining a sense of separateness, by, say, separate entrances, he said.

A recent Yardi study said the growth of co-working spaces is the result of cost pressures, rise of the gig economy, demand for flexible lease arrangements, and for large companies, a demand for flexibility. Malls as co-working spaces let companies share resources that results from mixed use of the space, including gyms and other facilities.

The mall as a co-working location for entrepreneurs is part of a trend towards membership-based flexible workspaces that “sit between a Starbucks and a WeWork,” said Ryan Broshar, managing director of Techstars Retail, which runs one of Target’s startup accelerator programs.

For retailers, co-working spaces in malls help emerging companies pilot new technology and test products, he added. These spaces also let large non-retail entities boost their physical presence without the burden of long-term lease obligations. For agencies facing pressure to cut real estate costs, especially in expensive cities they operate in, malls can offer proximity to affordable neighborhoods.

“In theory, [malls] seem to offer a great environment for an agency…especially those in areas where traffic and parking can be a challenge,” said Larry Gamache, head of communications at Jellyfish, which recently opened a second location in a Chelsea WeWork. “The key will be finding the right balance of restaurants, shopping, and amenities that today’s workers seek.”

Other mall operators have rolled out co-working spaces as retail incubation hubs, including Westfield’s Bespoke in San Francisco, and Pennsylvania Real Estate Trust’s 1776 retail incubator at the Cherry Hill Mall that’s slated to open in November.

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