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At CREtech New York 2025, WeWork CEO John Santora took the stage with Bisnow Editor-in-Chief Mark F. Bonner for a special live edition of First Draft Live, discussing the company’s transformation and the enduring relevance of the physical office.

A New Era for WeWork
Once a symbol of hypergrowth and volatility, WeWork has reemerged as a restructured, stable enterprise under Santora’s leadership. Following its 2023 bankruptcy filing, the coworking pioneer has rebuilt its foundation with a team of seasoned real estate executives and a focus on disciplined operations.

Today, the company reports over 550,000 members, 77% global occupancy, and $2.2 billion in 2024 revenue. After years of scaling back, WeWork is again adding new locations and positioning itself as a long-term player in flexible office solutions.

Why Office Still Matters
Santora remains a staunch advocate for in-person collaboration. “I’ve always been in the office five or six days a week,” he said, noting that most firms have settled into four-day hybrid schedules. While remote and AI-driven work models are reshaping operations, Santora argued that technology cannot replicate the organic interactions that spark creativity.

“It’s the conversation before the meeting, the chat at the coffee bar — those collisions that lead to ideas and innovation,” he said. “You don’t get that from your kitchen table.”

The Road Ahead
As AI and hybrid work continue to redefine real estate demand, Santora believes the office remains a critical space for connection, culture, and growth. For WeWork, the mission now is clear: to deliver flexible, community-driven workplaces that align with how people and companies work today.

The conversation underscored a broader theme of resilience and reinvention — both for WeWork and the evolving office market it helped redefine.

Original article posted on October 23, 2025

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