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Every August, we celebrate National Coworking Day, and it’s the perfect excuse to look back at how this scrappy, community-driven idea grew into a global way of working. Whether you’re a side hustler, remote worker, or entrepreneur juggling a million tabs, coworking spaces have redefined what “going to work” looks like. And it all started with a simple need for connection.
But how did coworking start? And why has it become such a global phenomenon? Let’s take a look at the past, present, and future of coworking, and how it continues to empower professionals at every level.
How Coworking Got Its Start
In 2005, a software developer named Brad Neuberg created something brand new. He loved the freedom that came with working for himself but missed the structure, accountability, and community of an office. So, he set out to build a space that offered both.
He launched the first official coworking space inside a collective called Spiral Muse in San Francisco. It had a few desks, yoga sessions, and shared lunches. He called it coworking, a word no one had heard before. The idea was simple but powerful: give independent workers a place to do their best work, side by side.
At first, no one showed up. But Neuberg kept going, and eventually, the idea caught on.
How Coworking Spread Around the World
By 2006, other coworking spaces began popping up. First in San Francisco and soon after in cities like Berlin, London, New York, and Buenos Aires. These early spaces attracted creatives, developers, consultants, and small startups.
One reason coworking spread so quickly was because it wasn’t owned or franchised. It was a movement, not a business model. Neuberg shared his ideas freely online, and others followed suit. A growing network of space owners and coworkers collaborated through wikis, blogs, and meetups, creating a community long before coworking became a buzzword.
This grassroots approach aligned perfectly with the rise of the gig economy, where more people were freelancing, contracting, and building side hustles. Coworking offered something they couldn’t get from home or a coffee shop: structure, support, and real human connection.
The Boom: From Trend to Global Standard
Between 2010 and 2015, coworking experienced explosive growth. Dedicated conferences like GCUC (Global Coworking Unconference Conference) and Coworking Europe helped formalize the industry. Spaces began specializing. They began serving niches like tech workers, creatives, women in business, or wellness professionals.
Coworking also caught the attention of investors. Companies like WeWork, founded in 2010, brought massive funding and media attention to the coworking world. While some large chains faced challenges, they helped push coworking into the mainstream, and showed that flexible workspaces were more than a trend.
Coworking in a Post-Pandemic World
When the pandemic hit in 2020, coworking spaces were forced to adapt. Many paused operations or downsized. But rather than fading out, coworking evolved.
As remote work became the new normal, coworking became a solution to many common challenges like feeling isolated at home, missing professional resources, or needing a quiet, productive space without committing to a long lease.
Today, coworking supports a wide range of people Remote workers who don’t want to work from home every day, small teams without a central office, and entrepreneurs building their businesses from the ground up.
At Elevate Office Suites, we carry that same spirit forward, offering flexible, move-in-ready office and coworking spaces designed for how people actually work today. Whether you need a quiet place to focus, a professional address to grow your business, or just want to get out of your house (and away from your kitchen table), our spaces are built to help you thrive. With amenities like high-speed internet, 24/7 access, and a supportive community of fellow go-getters, Elevate gives you the freedom to work your way with the structure and support to make it sustainable. Check out our coworking space today and join our community of entrepreneurs.
