TORONTO, Oct. 02, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — With a backdrop of continued growth in the number of mobile workers and an increased focus by companies looking to maximize efficiency and flexibility in their operations, iQ Office Suites is pleased to announce an expanded footprint in Toronto and the establishment of their first west coast location in the heart of downtown Vancouver.
In Toronto, the company has completed an agreement to acquire BrightLane at 545 King Street West. Occupying four floors in a renovated brick and beam heritage building between Brant and Portland Streets, this 28,000 sq.ft. shared office and coworking space is in the centre of the rapidly maturing King West neighbourhood and features a mix of office and desk configurations, multiple meeting and conference facilities as well as a large lounge and event space with retractable bleachers and a landscaped rooftop terrace.
Just up the street at the corner of King and York, iQ has recently entered into a 36,000 sq.ft. lease for two full floors at 150 King Street West. This LEED Gold certified office and retail building in the heart of the Financial District provides direct underground access to the TTC Subway and PATH systems. iQ has secured some of the most remarkable space in the building, featuring 18 foot ceilings and over 7,500 sq.ft. of landscaped private outdoor space. Construction is scheduled to begin on December 1st and completion is scheduled for late spring 2018.
The recently opened Vancouver facility is located at the corner of Burrard and West Georgia Streets. Occupying the entire 21st floor of the Royal Centre, this 14,000 sq.ft. boutique offering enjoys floor to ceiling windows overlooking the city skyline, Vancouver Harbour and the Rocky Mountains beyond. Providing a mix of office sizes and configurations, the space features contemporary design elements such as polished concrete floors, exposed concrete ceilings, glass office fronts with privacy screening and user controlled combination sit/stand desks. Individual climate control in each suite enhances user comfort and members are provided with access to the iQ lounge featuring banquette seating, full kitchenette facilities and reclaimed wood design elements sourced and created by a local Vancouver artist.
Specializing in state-of-the-art, luxury shared work environments in premier locations, iQ Office Suites was founded in 2012 when the company launched its first location in the historic Dineen Building at 140 Yonge Street, in Toronto’s financial district.
“We are very excited to be launching our first location in Vancouver and increasing our footprint in Toronto,” said Alex Sharpe, Co-Founder of iQ Office Suites. “Vancouver is an incredibly diverse and exciting city with a great culture. We are extremely proud to be joining the city’s vibrant ecosystem, which is fostering entrepreneurial growth in a variety of sectors and attracting significant global investment. In Toronto, we have long had our eyes on King West, which is an incredible revitalization success story for the city and has rapidly evolved into centre ice for creative companies in the technology, advertising and media industries.”
Increasing Demand for Flexible Workspace Globally
According to the Instant Group’s 2017 Global Cities report, there was an 18% increase year over year in individual flexible workspaces globally. Deskmag, a co-working magazine, estimates that by the end of 2017 approximately 1,180,000 individuals will work in 13,800 co-working/shared office businesses globally. To put this growth into perspective, at the end of 2015 there were approximately 7,800 operations globally with 510,000 members.
iQ Co-Founder Kane Willmott, who is also the President of the Global Workspace Association, believes “the growth of the market and continued demand for flexible and adaptive workspace is indicative of a larger shift in how people and organizations are looking at their office needs. The development of our industry has brought about new demand for curated office experiences, versus simply office space. We are very pleased to grow our platform and continue to create innovative, inspiring spaces and experiences for our members and their guests.”
All iQ buildings feature workspaces that can be personalized by iQ members, as well as a full complement of amenities that include bright, friendly and attentive on-site staff, fully equipped meeting and conference rooms, expansive members’ lounges with kitchens, drinks and snack bars, fully secure internet and Wi-Fi connectivity, 24/7 accessibility, security, printing and communications services and more. Our properties are centrally located near public transportation, restaurants, hotels and other cultural and lifestyle amenities.
For more information or to schedule media requests, please contact Sarah Lieberman at 416-238-1111.
About iQ Office Suites Inc.
iQ Office Suites Inc. is a leading provider of luxury shared office and coworking spaces for companies interested in flexible, scalable and feature-rich work environments tailored to the modern, mobile-powered organization. Founded in 2012, iQ’s portfolio spans 110,000 square feet over five locations in two major Canadian cities, with more locations in the planning stages. For more information on iQ Office Suites, please visit www.iqoffice.ca.