| Expansive | |
| Type: | Private |
| Industry: | Workspace company |
| Founder: | Bill Bennett |
| Hq Location City: | Chicago, Illinois |
| Hq Location Country: | United States |
| Website: | expansive.com |
Expansive, formerly Novel Coworking, is a co-working and office rental company.[1] The company operates 40+ locations across the United States, offering a mix of coworking spaces, private offices, team suites, meeting rooms, and event spaces. They focus on providing affordable options for small businesses, entrepreneurs, and larger teams across a variety of industries.
Expansive was founded under the name Level Office by Chicago entrepreneur Bill Bennett in 2013. The idea was initially conceived in 2007 when Bennett couldn't find flexible, short-term office space for his first business.[2]
Expansive's properties are located in major metropolitan areas like Chicago, Phoenix, and Austin to Midwest and East Coast markets like Albany, Pittsburgh, and Minneapolis. The original venue is located at 73 W. Monroe Street in Chicago's Loop, and was opened in September 2013, followed by two more locations in the Loop in 2014. In late 2014 and early 2015, the company expanded to downtown Houston and downtown Dallas.
In August 2015, Expansive opened its seventh center, in Charlotte, North Carolina's Uptown neighborhood.[3] In December 2015, Expansive purchased the historic Pioneer Building in Seattle's Pioneer Square neighborhood.[4] The company renovated the building's interior to create private offices and co-working space for Seattle small businesses.[5]
The company added a location in Jacksonville, Florida's historic Groover-Stewart building in February 2016.[6]
Since 2016, Expansive has grown to 40+ locations, including it's most recent expansion to seven locations in Chicago, with the addition of the 35th floor of Prudential Plaza[7], and a location in the North Center neighborhood between Lincoln Square and Roscoe Village.[8]
In August 2018, the company rebranded as Novel Coworking.[9]
In June 2021, the company rebranded as Expansive.[10]
Expansive delivers a wide array of flexible workspace options that are tailored to meet the diverse need of their clientele.[11]
Move-in ready spaces to fit the needs of individuals and teams of all sizes that are seeking a productive work environment. Expansive also offers the ability for members to customize their space to showcase their brand.
Access to a vibrant shared workspace lounge including: high-speed WiFi, various seating options, unlimited coffee, tea, and espresso to power the client's workday.
Provides individuals with the ability to use an Expansive's business address as their own address, to establish presence in their desired market.
Corporate Meeting & Event Space: Spaces for corporate seminars, trainings, networking, or social events Expansive's meeting and event spaces provide versatile solutions with modern amenities.
Workspace Management Services: The company also provides workspace management services for property owners. This program helps landlords transform underutilized spaces in their building into coworking spaces and increase revenue. They have helped owners in Mesa, Wauwatosa, and Chicago activate their assets by developing and operating vacant spaces as Expansive locations. [12] [13] [14]
Expansive, has experienced rapid growth in the recent years. With a business model centered around providing flexible office space solutions to a diverse clientele, the company expanded its footprint across multiple cities and countries, capitalizing on the increasing demand for shared workspaces.[16]
The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic brought about a seismic shift in work dynamics, with a substantial portion of the workforce transitioning to remote work arrangements. This sudden and widespread adoption of remote work significantly reduced the demand for traditional office spaces. With businesses downsizing their physical footprints or opting for remote-first policies, this has increased the hybrid workforce, and introduced a larger need for true flexible workspace solutions. Those companies and individuals are now looking to coworking spaces, like Expansive. [17]