Remote work and flexible office solutions continue to reshape global work trends, and a new initiative promises a premium work experience that embraces flexibility and community, tailored to Bermuda’s business professionals.

The smart office, including temporary rentals for meetings, is a part of alternative options for office space in the City that have been made available through the use of a new service, Altura Workspaces, with premises at 22 Queen Street.

The new venture is designed to meet the evolving needs of modern professionals, entrepreneurs and businesses, and could also be valuable to digital nomads, including those taking advantage of the Work from Bermuda certificate.

Work spaces are made available that include a members’ café, high-speed internet, meeting rooms equipped with video-conferencing and presentation technology, ergonomic workstations and a “relaxed work” lounge area.

Membership is not required, but members do benefit from access to exclusive events and a fitness room, bookable from the members’ app.

Brother and sister Scott Kitson and Lee Petty are the operators.

They said: “Our building at 22 Queen Street was built by our father, Kirk Kitson, in 1980, and has always been well regarded by tenants for its high quality and central Hamilton location.

“With the benefit of 75 years’ experience in Bermuda's real estate business, Kitson & Company knew we had to proactively adapt our commercial real estate offering in this post-Covid working environment.

“Businesses nowadays require more flexibility in terms of office space, taking into account work-from-home, hybrid working, more demand for smaller, collaborative open-plan layouts and tech-ready meeting rooms of various sizes. This is what gave rise to Altura.”

Mr Kitson said: “The demand for our meeting room spaces at Rosedon Hotel helped inform our thinking with regard to the changing nature of work in Bermuda following the pandemic.

“After some market research, we also recognised there is demand for more social work spaces that provide a sense of community for entrepreneurs and freelance consultants.

“As a result, we decided on delivering a true world-class solution to meet this demand.”

The demand for flexible office space, advanced technology and adaptable work policies is expected to grow as part of a fundamental change in how businesses operate internationally.

Many organisations are choosing to invest in shared office space. Business is embracing hybrid work models for many reasons, including the cost savings and operational efficiency. Entrepreneurs obtain a professional work environment without the financial burden of maintaining an entire office.

Especially for small businesses and start-ups, maintaining large office spaces can be expensive. Hybrid office solutions reduce a number of overheads, including rental costs and utility expenses.

Technology plays a crucial role in making hybrid office solutions successful, especially if they invest in communication tools, cloud-based collaboration platforms and video-conferencing software.

There is also the attraction of the sustainable and eco-friendly business practices. Reducing office space requirements leads to a smaller carbon footprint.

Such businesses also minimise daily commutes, decrease waste production and optimise resource usage. This environmentally conscious approach aligns with the growing emphasis on corporate social responsibility.