Luc Beriault, founder of the 640 Professional Building in downtown Medicine Hat, says the co-working space will become part of an international group that provides business services to travellers and local firms seeking "flexible" office and meeting room options.--News Photo Collin Gallant
cgallant@medicinehatnews.com@CollinGallant
A co-work space pioneer in Medicine Hat has joined an international service that Luc Beriault says will give world-class service to local clients as well as bring world-class businesses more easily to Medicine Hat.
Beriault and wife Jean opened the 640 Professional Building in 2008 to be both the base for their recruitment business as well offer affordable office space to independent consultants and professionals or out-of-town firms in need of board rooms or other office infrastructure from time to time.
Today, Beriault will announce an agreement for 640 to become part of the International Workplace Group (IWG) network – a global company with 3,300 locations in 120 countries, including 124 locations in Canada and 1,000 in the U.S.
“The work environment changed so much but Regus figured it out, and they’re going to bring people into Medicine Hat,” said Beriault, who plans to continue working at the space in the home base of PLC Recruitment.
The brand, known as Regus, brings standardized service – the same offerings, accounts and business network – from Beijing to London to Toronto and locations between, which has made it popular among the business traveller, said Beriault.
“I’ve always been a big fan of Regus and I’ve travelled quite a bit,” he said. “You know what you’re getting, the size of the office, what it looks like. If you need a board room, there’s no disappointment.”
Last spring the company contacted Beriault about potentially expanding into southern Alberta, and after years of mutual admiration, Beriault said talks progressed quickly.
The location at 640 Third St. downtown has expanded twice over 16 years in business, said Beriault. A new fibre-optic computer network was installed over the winter. A new reconfiguration this spring will bring the total number of work spaces to more than 180, including flexible co-working spaces, 60 offices and board rooms in 16,000 square feet. Security and IT upgrades are also planned,
“Opening a Regus centre in Medicine Hat is the perfect example of the locations IWG is expanding into,” said Wayne Berger, CEO of IWG in the Americas. “Last year, we announced a Regus opening in Red Deer, and we’re marking the start of 2024 by announcing a new Regus in Medicine Hat.”
Both Medicine Hat-area MLAs also added comments for the company release.
“As Alberta’s economy continues to grow and diversify, demand is increasing for new and modern workspaces like this new Regus Medicine Hat facility,” said Premier and local MLA Danielle Smith in a statement on the company’s release.
Cypress-Medicine Hat MLA Justin Wright said hybrid work is on the rise, and congratulated Beriault.
“This state-of-the-art flexible workspace will be an asset for businesses, entrepreneurs and remote workers in our community,” said Wright.
About 60 per cent of his clients are locally based, with the remainder being out-of town firms with the need for a presence in the city, but looking for professional space but without large overhead.
