In today’s turbulent business environment, the real estate and workspace market faces numerous challenges and changes. In order to explore the current state and future predictions, we had the opportunity to speak to Filip Oksenfeld from Our Hub, a leading provider of furnished offices and coworking spaces in Serbia.
Reflecting on 2023, Oksenfeld highlights Our Hub’s remarkable success, with 100% occupancy across all their locations.
“Yes, 2023 was truly exceptional for Our Hub. We had 100% occupancy across all 15,000 square meters of space, marking the sixth consecutive year of excellent performance. This success can be attributed to various factors. Firstly, the influx of Russian companies and citizens relocating to Serbia significantly contributed to our occupancy rates. Additionally, amid global changes and challenges such as increased competition, the emergence of hybrid work models and fluctuations in freelancer and startup communities, we managed to maintain our appeal. Careful monitoring of global trends, especially in developed markets like the USA, Germany, and the UK, enabled us to proactively adapt to changes in the real estate sector,” Oksenfeld notes.
Regarding the future of furnished offices, Oksenfeld believes that flexible leasing arrangements will become increasingly significant. This trend will continue to attract a significant part of Serbian market since the companies are looking for agility and economy in their operation.
“The future of real estate unquestionably lies in furnished offices and the flexibility they offer in leasing. This trend, once primarily associated with operators, is now spreading among property owners. We adopted this approach to complement traditional lease agreements, offering a ‘plug-and-play’ portfolio,” Oksenfeld emphasizes.
Coworking spaces also retain their importance in the workspace environment. “In the future, there will likely be a greater emphasis on space flexibility, technological innovations to enhance user experience, and community support within coworking spaces,” Oksenfeld explains. According to him, coworking spaces will continue to play a crucial role in the workspace environment, especially among entrepreneurs, freelancers, and small businesses. He stresses that OUR HUB strives to remain at the forefront of these changes to meet the growing needs of their members.
As for the future development of Our Hub, Oksenfeld announces further expansion through the acquisition of new properties and diversification of their offer.
“Our priority remains to be providing flexibility at affordable prices to support companies of all sizes. Looking ahead to 2024, Our Hub will continue to expand primarily through the acquisition of new properties. We are not only focusing on small businesses and entrepreneurs but also offering larger furnished offices spanning over 200 square meters at all our locations. We are dedicated to the growth and diversification of our portfolio to meet the needs of different companies. This includes establishing locations not only in central business districts but also in areas that are not traditional business zones,” Oksenfeld concludes.
In summary, the conversation with Filip Oksenfeld provides insights into the current state of the real estate and workspace market, as well as their future perspectives. With strategies focused on adaptability and innovation, Our Hub continues to play a crucial role in shaping the workspace environment in Serbia and beyond.
