Office wanted: Is the state of emergency becoming permanent?

Important market decision-makers, top-class speakers and specialist exhibitors came together yesterday at the Berlin Real Estate Congress. The event was originally scheduled to take place on March 25 – two days after the lockdown. In the meantime, the topics have been adapted to the new situation, and speakers and panelists were eagerly awaited.

In the panel with the new topic “Office wanted: Is the state of emergency becoming a permanent state?” there was a lively discussion about the current situation for the coworking industry. However, Gödiker made it clear right at the start that the umbrella term “coworking” does not encompass the industry in its entirety. It mentally paints a picture of hipsters, dogs and hammocks. Satellite Office is not all that. However, if you only see the true meaning of the word, namely “working together”, you can live with the term, says the entrepreneur. Also on the podium were: Benjamin Albrecht, Head of Project Development TLG Immobilien AG, Sebastian Blecke, Managing Director GSG Gewerbesiedlungs-Gesellschaft mbH and Eva Weber, Head of Letting Taurecon Real Estate Consulting GmbH. David Eckl acted as moderator.

There was agreement on the podium that the shambles for the industry after coronavirus is not as big as feared.

“This is the third major crisis in my career. However, it’s tougher than the Lehman bankruptcy and the millennium bug, as it affects health as well as financial issues. It’s a matter of the bottom line, which makes people more worried,” is how Gödiker characterizes the current situation. When asked how it feels to open a new location during the crisis, Gödiker responded with humor. “A location?” she asked with a laugh. The new “Gloria Berlin” workspace on Kudamm is the third location that Satellite Office has opened in the coronavirus era, but no one has noticed, Gödiker smiles. And she says she doesn’t see a problem “because Satellite Office comes from a completely different side”.

Strength lies in tranquillity: the Satellite Office approach

Even long before corona, Satellite Office didn’t believe in working closely together. The workspaces in the workspaces have always been very generously proportioned. “Above all, you need space and peace and quiet to work efficiently,” says Gödiker. That’s why Satellite Office launched the pureSilent® Line two years ago. A room concept that creates retreats for deep concentration, for deep working. With shielded areas, protected break-out areas, sophisticated room acoustics, high-quality furnishings and first-class service – but also with spaces to engage in conversation. “There has to be a human touch, everyone has to feel comfortable,” says Gödiker. “Cramped, crowded and loud, that’s mega out. The trend towards peace and space is being reinforced by corona,” says the visionary. “I never understood the hype about working in a hammock with as many people as possible around you. Because it wasn’t and isn’t productive. A lot of people who relied on this once-hip concept now need to dress very warmly.”

Basic mood of the panel: Get to work, get started!

Moderator and panelists agreed at the end of the exciting discussion that we simply have to start again somewhere. And to answer the question posed by the panel: yes, the state of emergency is becoming the normal state. Because everything is constantly changing. With and without corona. Successful business models have always been about recognizing the pulse of the times, developing concepts for them and, above all, implementing them. Anita Gödiker concluded with the words: “I have no doubt that we will get to grips with this economically. The world is turning with us, and we will play a role in it.”