Why the Future of Work Is Private and Flexible
The commercial office market continues to evolve as hybrid work patterns reshape how businesses, entrepreneurs and professionals think about workspace. Increasingly, companies are moving away from traditional long-term office leases in favor of flexible, hospitality-oriented environments that provide privacy, convenience and institutional-quality presentation without the operational burden of maintaining permanent office footprints.
Adam Stark leads `Stark Office Suites`, a Northeast-based provider of premium executive office suites and virtual office solutions. Stark discusses the emergence of the “private workplace” economy, shifting occupier preferences, evolving office utilization trends and how flexible workspace models are adapting to meet demand from professionals, small businesses and larger enterprise clients navigating the future of work.
CM: When you talk about the “private workplace” economy, what do you mean, and how is it different from traditional coworking or serviced offices?
AS: I think we’re witnessing a fundamental evolution in the office market. Historically, businesses had two choices: commit to a long-term lease and build their own office, or use a flexible workspace that often required compromising on quality, privacy, or image.
Today, successful firms increasingly want something different. They want the flexibility of a managed solution without sacrificing the experience of a trophy office.
At the same time, there is a growing segment of highly successful firms that may only need a handful of offices but still want to operate from the same caliber of environment as much larger organizations. In the past, access to trophy buildings and trophy workplaces were largely reserved for companies willing to lease and build out significant amounts of space. Increasingly, the market is demanding a way to access that experience without the operational burden and long-term commitment that traditionally came with it.
I also think the industry has sometimes overemphasized the idea of creating community through programming. In my experience, the strongest professional communities develop organically. When you create an exceptional environment and attract accomplished, like-minded professionals, meaningful relationships happen naturally. The workplace should facilitate those connections, rather than force them.
That evolution in the market is what inspired us to create Excelsior: a platform that brings a trophy-level office experience into a flexible format for firms that value quality, professionalism, and flexibility without compromise.
CM: How has demand for executive suites and virtual offices changed since before the pandemic, and what does your current pipeline look like?
AS: Before 2020, office decisions were often viewed primarily as real estate decisions. An office was simply considered a necessary part of running a successful business. The pandemic fundamentally changed that. Today, the office has to earn its place.
As a result, choosing an office has become a strategic business decision rather than just a leasing decision. Companies are asking not only, “How much space do we need?” but also, “What kind of environment will help us attract talent, impress clients, and support our culture?” That has placed a much greater premium on workplace quality, amenities, and the flexibility to adapt as businesses evolve.
What we’ve found particularly interesting is that companies are evaluating office space much more holistically than they did before the pandemic. They’re considering not just the price, but recruiting, retention, client experience, and overall workplace quality. The office has become part of a company’s competitive strategy rather than simply a place to house employees. It is one of the fundamental trends that led us to develop the Excelsior platform.
CM: What types of clients are driving the strongest demand for executive office suites and virtual office solutions today?
AS: The strongest demand is coming from businesses where credibility, client experience, and efficiency matter most. These needs span a broad spectrum of industries and professions. We work with attorneys, financial advisors, family offices, consultants, investment firms, technology companies, and entrepreneurs who want a professional workplace without the complexity of building and managing office operations themselves.
What I find particularly interesting is that many of these organizations are not choosing flexible office solutions because they cannot afford a traditional lease. In many cases, they certainly can. Instead, they’re making a strategic business decision to outsource a function that isn’t central to their mission. Rather than dedicating time, capital, and management attention to operating an office, they prefer to focus those resources on serving clients and growing their business while still providing an exceptional workplace for their employees and visitors.
On the virtual office side, we continue to see strong demand from remote-first companies, international firms entering the U.S. market, and businesses that want a credible business presence without the cost and administrative burden of maintaining a full-time physical office.
CM: What have you learned about where professionals want to work – city centers, commuter hubs, suburban nodes – and how is that evolving?
AS: One of the biggest shifts we’ve observed is that professionals are far more intentional about where they choose to work. The office is no longer viewed simply as a place to conduct business; it has become an extension of a company’s identity, reflecting its culture, professionalism, and brand.
As a result, I think the traditional debate between city centers, commuter hubs, and suburban locations has become less important than the quality of the overall workplace experience. Different businesses have different geographic needs, but they are all looking for the same things: an exceptional environment, convenient access, strong amenities, modern infrastructure, and a location that works for both employees and clients.
Prestigious addresses will always have value, particularly for certain industries and client-facing businesses. But location alone is no longer enough. Buildings that invest in the tenant experience, from management and amenities to design and technology, are outperforming those that simply rely on their address.
Ultimately, companies are no longer choosing just a location; they’re choosing an experience, and the address is one important component of that experience rather than the entire answer.
CM: From a financial perspective, how are tenants weighing total occupancy cost, flexibility and brand image when they choose a private suite over a traditional lease?
AS: Businesses are becoming much more sophisticated in how they evaluate office economics. The stated rent on a traditional lease is only part of the equation. Construction, furniture, technology, staffing, maintenance, and ongoing management all represent significant costs.
Private workplace solutions simplify that equation by consolidating those expenses into a predictable monthly cost while eliminating much of the operational burden. At the same time, businesses are placing greater value on flexibility. Many organizations do not want to commit capital and resources to office infrastructure when their space requirements may evolve over the next few years.
The third component is identity. Companies increasingly recognize that where they work influences how clients, partners, and prospective employees perceive them. The office has become an extension of a company’s brand and culture rather than simply a place to conduct business.
CM: Finally, what advice would you offer to landlords or investors trying to reposition older office assets for this new style of occupier demand?
AS: The biggest mistake is thinking that office is still one market. It isn’t.
The divergence between commodity space and high-quality space has become dramatic. Buildings that simply provide square footage will compete differently than buildings that provide an experience.
The most successful owners are increasingly viewing their assets as service platforms rather than collections of leased offices. Investment in amenities, technology, hospitality, and tenant experience is no longer optional. They are essential components of a modern, successful office environment. Premium flexible workplace platforms are also an important part of this solution as they expand the property’s offering to a broader client base while serving as an incubator for future growth. Ultimately, I think the future belongs to buildings that create destinations rather than simply lease space.
