Flexible Workspace Specialist x+why Joins Grosvenor and the Westminster Foundation

Posted by The Landsite on 18th April 2023 -

Leading flexible workspace specialist x+why announced today that they have joined forces with Grosvenor and The Westminster foundation to run and manage their new flexible workspace in the heart of London’s Victoria.  

The new site, located at 8-10 Grosvenor Gardens, will be called Fivefields, and will launch in Autumn 2023. Designed specifically for charities and social impact organisations, it will be a world class flexible workspace and co-working community. 

B Corp Certified, x+why will run and manage the new c.30,000 sq ft charity hub, bringing their innovative, playful and ergometric style as well as their curated programme of purpose related events and workshops including the exclusive Why B and Mission Lit Programmes.

Fivefields will be specifically aimed at charities and social impact organisations who improve outcomes for children and young people.  The Westminster Foundation will offer grant funding for membership costs to a selected group of these charities to see them housed and supported in an ecosystem which will amplify and accelerate their outcomes.  With a particular focus on inclusivity, accessibility, sustainability and wellbeing, Fivefields is designed to help member organisations have an even greater impact. 

Members will be able to choose from partitioned office suites, dedicated open-plan desks or hot desks (or a combination of all three), as well as have access to breakout spaces and meeting facilities. The membership model will allow members to scale up or down according to their needs, providing considerably more flexibility than under a traditional lease. Other parts of the building will be a mixture of private offices and enterprise suites for the open market, prioritising those whose work is complementary to the charity hub occupants.

Rupert Dean, co-founder of x+why comments: “We are thrilled to partner with Grosvenor and the Westminster Foundation to design and operate this incredible building with such aspirational amenity. The combination of supporting Charities through Grant Funding from the Westminster Foundation and supporting them in a dedicated space focused on modern day working alongside businesses is really exciting. We are looking forward to seeing the collaboration and even greater impact that can be achieved.” 

Grosvenor are developing the space into a state of the art, yet sustainable, workspace behind the original Victorian facade.   Alongside amenities including bike parking, showers, and a meeting room suite complete with a twenty-person board room, there will be a library, several Mission Rooms, and a 90-person capacity event space on the lower ground floor to support collaboration, connection and learning.  

The building is centred around a shared 2^nd floor clubspace, the heart of the charity hub, which leads on to a South facing furnished terrace complete with planting a retractable awning. As in all of their spaces, x+why will curate a cultural and wellbeing programme of events including yoga, mindfulness activities, talks, panel discussions, workshops and social networking. 

The project was initiated by the Duke of Westminster, Chair of Grosvenor Trustees and Chair of the Westminster Foundation, who saw the opportunity to combine Grosvenor’s significant property expertise and resources with the Westminster Foundation’s philanthropic leadership. The project embodies one of the Westminster Foundation’s core principles of bringing together like minded organisations to share ideas and build alongside each other for the greatest social impact.

The Duke of Westminster said: “So many brilliant charities and social impact organisations are working flat out to support vulnerable children and young people. We want to help by creating an inspiring workspace that will encourage collaboration, generate new ideas and facilitate the sharing of best practice or how to tackle issues together. I’m delighted we can combine Grosvenor’s resources, the Westminster Foundation’s convening experience in the charity sector and x+why’s leadership in flexible workspace to create this unique venue and community. I’m excited about its potential and can’t wait to see it develop.”

James Raynor, Chief Executive Officer, Grosvenor Property UK said: “By coming together with the Westminster Foundation we have created one of the leading collaborative workplaces in London. Fivefields will offer best in class amenities for charities and social impact organisations in the heart of the Capital, creating the perfect conditions for collaboration, idea sharing and innovation.

“As a business, we have a strong track record of transforming buildings and places to respond to the needs of modern occupiers. At Fivefields we have pushed this one step further, creating an inclusive, accessible, purpose-built space. To be able to do this for organisations who work to improve the lives of some of the most vulnerable people in society is something we’re incredibly proud to have been a part of.”

x+why is a B Corp certified, flexible workspace specialist, with six innovative, green spaces across London and Birmingham - with more scheduled to open in 2023. They are committed to changing the way the world works for good by supporting businesses as they embrace more responsible ways of working. Not only do x+why members enjoy high-quality office spaces with excellent sustainability credentials; they also become part of an active and collaborative community of like-minded, purpose-driven organisations.  

x+why believes that the future of work lies in companies that put people over profit, and who consider their social impact, employees and their suppliers. CEO, Rupert Dean says: “these businesses attract best-in-class talent, build better relationships with customers and suppliers, make a positive impact in society and build a more sustainable, long-term, ethical and profitable brand.”

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