WeWork Aims to Differentiate Coworking Operators with WELL Certification

WeWork has announced plans to pursue the WELL Coworking Rating certification for more than 300 of its locations to enhance its health and wellness standards. Developed by the International WELL Building Institute, this rating evaluates workspaces across ten specific categories, including air quality, light, and thermal comfort. This move signals a strategic shift toward using third-party wellness credentials to differentiate flexible workspace offerings in an increasingly competitive market driven by hybrid work demand.

WeWork is seeking the WELL Coworking Rating for over 300 of its properties, a certification process managed by the International WELL Building Institute. This rating system assesses how flexible workspaces support occupant health through ten distinct categories, such as movement, nourishment, water quality, and air quality. To achieve certification, the company must document its implemented health strategies and undergo a rigorous third-party review process. As the fifth-largest coworking provider in the top 50 U.S. markets, WeWork's adoption of these standards represents a significant commitment to health-centric operational benchmarks.

The push for wellness certification occurs as the U.S. coworking sector experiences growth in mid-tier markets and smaller-format spaces. According to Yardi Matrix’s April national office outlook, employers are increasingly turning to flexible space to accommodate hybrid work models while reducing their traditional office footprints. In response to these shifting needs, WeWork has also explored new revenue streams, such as the April launch of WeWork Go, which installs private office pods in high-traffic locations like convention centers and airports.

Industry experts, including Sam Pickering of Incendium Consulting, note that workplace well-being has become a primary decision factor for global clients. In a crowded flexible workspace market, health and performance features are joining price and location as critical selection criteria for occupiers. By securing third-party wellness credentials, WeWork aims to improve tenant retention and appeal to corporate clients managing distributed teams. This initiative may prompt other coworking operators to seek similar certifications as competition over premium amenities intensifies within the flex space industry.