The Flex Space Lie No One Talks About
Landlords everywhere are jumping into the flex space game:
fitting out spec suites
offering shorter lease terms
packaging it all as “managed solutions”
It’s a clear response to customer demand for flexibility, simplicity, and speed.
As someone who believe flexibility is the future work, and the future of work equals the future of office, I'm pleased to see this trending direction of travel.
But here’s the problem:
Flex alone doesn’t meet the modern customer’s needs.
As my friend and former CBRE tenant rep, Dave Cairns, outlines in this article, the spec suite model of fully fitted spaces leased on flexible terms fails to deliver a sustainable business model or a compelling customer experience. These spaces are often leased directly by landlords with no intermediary operator, meaning there's no layer of hospitality, no brand, no service culture, and no meaningful community.
They’re not destinations. They’re just desks with nice furniture.
Today’s customer is looking for more.
They want places that amplify their brand, energise their team, and support the way they work - not just in terms of flexibility, but in terms of experience. That means buildings powered by hospitality-grade service, thoughtfully curated amenities, and a sense of community that brings people together with intention.
The truth is...
A spec suite is still a traditional lease in disguise.
It may be flexible in term length, but it’s rigid in experience. There’s no agility, no service, and no soul.
Landlords like GPE have made headlines with strong leasing performance in their spec suite programs, and yes this is proof that customers want flexible options. But "speed-to-lease" isn’t the full story. Without hospitality, service, and brand, these spaces lack the stickiness and pricing power that drive long-term asset value.
Customers might move in quickly - but without a compelling reason to stay, will they renew?
This can lead to higher churn, more downtime, and less resilient income streams. Buildings with hospitality to complement their flex offerings outperform not just on occupancy, but on renewals, customer satisfaction, and long-term NOI growth.
To truly compete in the new era of work, landlords must go deeper.
That means partnering with (or becoming) brand-led operators who understand customers, not just occupiers - teams who deliver hospitality, F&B, community programming, and a consistent service experience across an entire building footprint.
Flex is just the entry point. Experience is the differentiator.
The landlords, developers, and investors who go beyond the lease to deliver brand, hospitality, and community will be the ones who win the next generation of customers.
Want brand-led hospitality in your building(s)?
At Brave Corporation, we partner with capital and existing owners to transform underperforming buildings into thriving, community-focused destinations. If you're exploring how to reposition an asset - or want to learn more about how we take our concepts from idea to operating reality - we'd love to connect.
👉 Learn more about our approach or reach out to start the conversation.