Spaces, Steyn City, The Ultimate Business Address: Mixed-use developments cater to a hybrid working lifestyle
The rising popularity of mixed-use developments in South Africa is transforming the way people live and work. Thanks to the liberating effects of technology, which are breaking the bonds that used to confine people to a single (often city centre-based) workplace and instead enabling them to work within their local communities, we see a shift.
Smartphones, smart remote offices, smart homes, smart cars, and smart shopping are all part of this change, along with the transformation of South Africa’s urban centres into smart cities. There is no doubt that we are currently experiencing a remarkable and unprecedented societal shift that is significantly altering the geography of work.
The workplace has undergone a seismic shift over the past few years, with flexible work models redefining how businesses operate and utilise office spaces. Hybrid working gives companies the financial flexibility to invest in their staff and grow the business instead of the buildings in which they operate. “Businesses that opt for a fully equipped workspace, with everything from furniture to super-fast Wi-Fi provided, often see an immediate halving of their property costs, releasing capital to invest in generating stakeholder value”, says Joanne Bushell, VP, IWG Africa
The migration to hybrid working is one of the most significant forces at play in the world today, as workers increasingly embrace the opportunity to work closer to home in workspaces and communities that meet their needs, fostering a better work-life balance. Flexible working alters how we operate, and mixed-use developments like Steyn City have seamlessly perfected the ‘live-work-play’ concept. Dynamic mixed-use developments are transforming business districts in cities worldwide.
It, then, stands to reason that Steyn City, one of the top ten residential lifestyle estates globally, and Spaces, which is part of the International Workplace Group (IWG) network, have strategically partnered to introduce a cutting-edge flexible workspace centre in the heart of Steyn City, set to open in September 2025.
This Spaces partnership at Capital Park offers a flexible option for Steyn City residents and businesses nationwide, regardless of size, seeking an ultimate business address. It provides a variety of interior spaces tailored to different work requirements. These well-equipped spaces eliminate the need for long daily commutes, resulting in clearer focus, fewer distractions, and a better work-life balance—all of which translate into meaningful productivity gains.
With personalised office solutions for all business types, it features interactive zones such as meeting rooms, casual lounges, breakout areas, smart conference rooms, and creative lounges designed to encourage idea sharing and innovation. It also includes customised corporate offices and private booths, perfect for video calls or confidential discussions.
This distinctive partnership in Steyn City, located in Johannesburg New North, offers a lifestyle that blends luxury and convenience with world-class facilities. These include, among others, a top-quality school, various eateries, fitness amenities, and a hotel well-suited for out-of-town business guests or conferences that bring people together from around the globe, all set against the backdrop of a magnificent 2000 acres of parkland and the prestigious 18-hole Nicklaus Design Championship Golf course., set to host the acclaimed Liv Golf Championship early next year.
Steyn City and IWG Spaces recognised that this flexible offering would revolutionise not only the way people work but also the way they live. People want to ditch the long commutes. Those who don't go to the office every day spend significantly less time commuting – an activity few enjoy. Working closer to home promotes a healthier lifestyle, positively impacts mental health and stress levels, and greatly improves work-life balance. Today, slightly more than a third of South Africa's middle class splits their work between home, the headquarters, and a flexible office space near their residence, following a hybrid approach, while 46% of high earners do the same, and this trend continues to grow in popularity.
According to the new Cisco Global Hybrid Work Report, an extensive study which, among other things, examined five key areas of employee well-being, including financial, physical, mental, social and emotional well-being.
The study polled over 10,000 employees across Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA). In South Africa, 86.4% of respondents said hybrid and remote working has improved all aspects of their well-being. In addition, just over 82% reported that their work-life balance has improved, mainly due to more flexible work schedules. Close to 61% said they saved at least four hours per week thanks to reduced commuting times, while 27% saved eight or more hours weekly.
International Workplace Group’s unrivalled network coverage includes approximately 4,000 locations across more than 120 countries in every time zone. Leveraging its three decades of experience, IWG offers a range of workspace solutions for all property types. 83% of Fortune 500 companies are among our growing customer base.
Another fundamental reason why the hybrid working model has gained substantial support in recent years is related to the agenda of the ESG (environment, social, and governance). The environmental benefits of companies adopting the hybrid model are significant.
In South Africa, the contribution of transport to national energy-related CO2 emissions is estimated to be approximately 14%. Road transport is responsible for approximately 90% of transport emissions and 90% of total fuel consumption in transport.
Mark Dixon, CEO & Founder of International Workplace Group PLC, commented:
“We are establishing a stronger and much-needed footprint in the Gauteng region with this latest opening. As an important business hub, Steyn City is a fantastic place for us to boost our expansion plans. We are very pleased to work in partnership with Steyn City to develop the Spaces brand under a management agreement that will add a cutting-edge workspace to their City.
“Our opening in Steyn City comes at a time when more and more companies are discovering that flexible and platform working is incredibly popular with employees, improving their work-life balance and satisfaction, while also providing a multitude of benefits to companies. Our workplace model is proven to increase productivity and allows a business to scale up or down at significantly reduced costs while providing access to thousands of locations.”
In Steyn City, the Future of work feels like home.
About International Workplace Group PLC
International Workplace Group is the global leader in hybrid work solutions and workspace brands. We create personal, financial, and strategic value for businesses of every size. From some of the most exciting companies and well-known organisations on the planet, to individuals and the next generation of industry leaders. All of them harness the power of International Workplace Group’s hybrid working platform to increase their productivity, efficiency, agility, and market proximity.
International Workplace Group’s unrivalled network coverage includes approximately 4,000 locations across more than 120 countries and 83% of Fortune 500 companies are amongst our growing customer base.
Through our brands, including Regus, Spaces, HQ and Signature, we help millions of people and their businesses to work more productively. We do so by providing the world’s leading hybrid work platform with professional, inspiring and collaborative workspaces and digital services all available via the International Workplace Group’s app.
For more information visit: www.iwgplc.com
