A decade of flexible workspaces in Cape Town: Here’s what we know

This August, Venture Workspace celebrates 10 years of successfully operating flexible workspaces in Cape Town, proving that physical offices are here to stay.

“The office isn’t dead, but it has been reinvented.” That’s the view from founder Louis Fourie, who has spent the last decade steering the Venture Workspace ship. “People don’t resist coming into an office. They resist coming to a space that slows them down and kills their creative spirit.”

Aside from purposeful design and easy-to-reach locations, Louis hints at one trade secret behind Venture Workspace’s success: consistency. “The success we’ve enjoyed boils down to delivering on the small things well, every time. It’s about giving businesses exactly what they require without them having to ask.”

Drawing on a decade of experience, and claiming Best Workspace in the 2025 Cape Tourism AfricaWorks Awards, here’s what we know about how local professionals are adapting to hybrid working: 

Hybrid working is still a new concept

Despite new branch openings and periods of maximum member capacity, hybrid working is still relatively new terrain for small start-ups and established organisations alike.

“Hybrid working is this ever-evolving beast,” says Louis. “With the advancement of AI tools into workflows and shifting team sizes, the role of the office is continuously changing. That in itself is tremendously appealing to most but can actually be terrifying for some, because there are no set parameters for how to go about it.”

He urges businesses to pilot before committing. “Come in for a coffee and see how teams are using our configurations to their advantage. Some members have set up volunteer teams for a couple of months to help refine their hybrid approach before wider implementation.”

Mixed-use precincts are bringing people back into the office

One of the most significant trends in hybrid working is the rise of office space in mixed-use precincts. These are walkable areas that combine offices with cafés, restaurants, shops, green spaces, and shared amenities.

“People want to work in places that feel connected and energised,” says Louis. “They want to grab their groceries, hit the gym, and do their laundry in between meetings and emails. Life shouldn’t stop where work begins.”

This thinking is reflected at Venture Workspace Riverlands, where the surrounding development adds substantial value to the workday. Even Amazon is headquartered within the precinct, which features everything from residential apartments and retail stores to riverside restaurants, an eco-park and a running track.

Satellite offices are growing fast

We’ve witnessed a steady increase in enquiries from businesses moving away from one central hub in favour of smaller satellite offices closer to where their teams live.

“Larger organisations are experimenting with localised workspaces to minimise costs and cut commuting times for employees,” says Louis. “When you’re not forcing everyone into a gridlocked CBD, people actually get excited about coming into the office. Not everyone wants to work from home, but they certainly don’t want to spend half their salary on petrol.”

We’ve also noticed a real appetite for flexible, upscale spaces that enhance professionalism. “It’s largely why we opened our Riverlands workspace. At 2,000m2, it’s our largest branch and features everything from private boardrooms to fully serviced and semi-serviced options for larger operations,” he adds. 

Limited time offer: Sign up for 6 months and receive 20% off your monthly rental on internal offices at Venture Workspace Riverlands. T&Cs apply.

Private offices are in demand

We’ve recently noticed an increasing number of businesses choosing private offices over open seating. Why? Because private offices give teams more focus, consistency, and privacy, without losing the benefits of a shared workspace.

“Companies want simplicity,” says Louis. “They want a space that is ready to use, with everything already taken care of, from connectivity and furniture to parking and building access.”

Private offices with flexible contracts hit the sweet spot between independence and community. As your business grows, your office can grow too.”

Hyper-local workspaces are here to stay

Across South Africa, hyper-local coworking spaces in suburbs and residential areas are on the rise. These local hubs offer the same professional features as CBD offices, with shorter commutes and a better fit for daily life. South Africa loses around R65 billion a year to time spent in traffic. That number alone makes the case.

Suburbs such as Somerset West, Claremont or Constantia are especially attractive for freelancers, start-ups, and hybrid teams – and exactly why we’ve expanded there. 

“Neighbourhood workspaces are becoming a smart and practical choice, especially when it’s a decision made by the whole team,” says Louis. “What you don’t want is forcing teams into an office for surveillance.”

What the numbers tell us

By 2029, the global coworking market is forecast to reach 62.75 billion US dollars, according to Statista. That alone offers insight into how people are choosing to work.

“To win in today’s productivity war without compromising your sanity, you need to be exceptionally good at what you do, but also smart about how and where you do it,” says Louis.

“An office still makes sense operationally, as long as the space, what it offers, and what it costs fits into what you want to achieve. The flexible office market is gaining real interest, and we feel well placed to offer exactly what businesses are looking for,” he concludes.

Need a flexible office space in Cape Town that works for you? Get in touch: +27 (0)861 370 260 or info@ventureworkspace.co.za