The We Company octopus has grown yet another tentacle, after it launched a no-membership-needed service that allows people to book desk space on demand.
The firm, until recently known as WeWork, announced on Tuesday the launch of a combined retail and co-working venture called Made By We. Similar to its single dedicated retail spot at 205 Hudson Street, Made By We features a market where We Company partners can sell curated products. It will also feature a service that allows non-members to book desk space by the minute.
The first space has opened at 902 Broadway in the Flatiron District, and has 100 workplace seats and meeting areas for groups of four to 10 people. The site is also attached to a Bluestone Lane, which partnered with the co-working firm on the location.
Commercial Observer first reported news of WeWork’s retail component at the site.
There has been no shortage of headlines emerging from the company in recent weeks, which has included a rebranding to The We Company; a report about CEO Adam Neumann’s position as landlord in some of WeWork’s leases; and a reduced investment by its largest backer, SoftBank.
A limited liability company controlled by WeWork filed a trademark for Made By We back in 2015, according to U.S. Patent and Trademarks Office filing, which indicates the venture has been in the pipeline for some time now. It signed for the space last month, taking 7,460 square feet in the building. The online ticket selling platform, SeatGeek, is also in the building with its headquarters, which spans 72,800 square feet across four floors.
The building is owned by the Rosen family, and the lease is managed by firm Koeppel Rosen.