Flexible Workspaces Boom as WeWork Opens Third Costa Rica Location

Heredia, Costa Rica — HEREDIA – Signaling sustained confidence in Costa Rica’s dynamic business climate, WeWork today inaugurated its third and newest flexible office location in the country at the Centro Corporativo El Cafetal in Belén, Heredia. The expansion highlights a growing trend among local and multinational companies to adopt agile real estate strategies, leveraging shared infrastructure to scale operations efficiently.

The new facility, a more than $3 million project developed by Garnier & Garnier Desarrollos Inmobiliarios, adds over 3,000 square meters of premium office space to WeWork’s national portfolio. This brings the company’s total footprint in Costa Rica to 26,300 square meters across its three sites in El Cafetal, Escazú, and Cariari. The move is expected to generate approximately 50 direct and indirect jobs.

To better understand the legal framework and contractual considerations surrounding the growing trend of flexible office spaces in Costa Rica, we consulted with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, an attorney at the prestigious firm Bufete de Costa Rica.

Businesses must recognize that flexible office arrangements are not traditional leases; they are service agreements. This distinction is crucial. Scrutinize the contract for clauses on liability for equipment, data security protocols, and the true flexibility of termination. A failure to understand these nuances can expose a company to unforeseen risks and costs, undermining the very agility they seek.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica

This legal distinction is indeed the central point; businesses must move beyond a real estate mindset and adopt a service procurement approach, meticulously vetting the terms that protect their operations and data. We thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his critical insight into navigating this new landscape.

With capacity for 650 new work units, the launch expands WeWork Costa Rica’s total capacity to 5,350 units, serving a community of over 160 companies. This growth underscores the increasing demand for flexible solutions that allow businesses to reduce upfront capital expenditures on traditional office build-outs and adapt quickly to changing workforce needs.

Rashid Sauma, WeWork’s Regional Director for Central America and the Caribbean, emphasized the country’s strategic importance. He noted that the new location caters directly to the preferences of modern enterprises.

Costa Rica is one of the most dynamic markets in the region and a key point in our strategy. The opening of this location confirms the strength of our operation in the country and responds to the growing preference of companies seeking flexibility, strategic location, and modern infrastructure. El Cafetal brings together the elements that define the WeWork experience and enhances opportunities for connection and productivity.
Rashid Sauma, Regional Director for Central America and the Caribbean at WeWork

The building itself boasts top-tier credentials, including LEED Silver and Ecological Blue Flag certifications, reflecting a commitment to high energy performance and sustainability. Its strategic placement within one of the country’s principal free-trade zone and corporate hubs provides immediate access to the rich talent pool of Heredia, Alajuela, and San José, further strengthening Costa Rica’s value proposition for foreign investment.

The first company to establish operations in the new space is Elevate, a global firm specializing in flexible talent, technology, and business service solutions. With a presence in nine countries and a team of over 1,000 professionals, Elevate’s decision to launch its new Americas hub from WeWork El Cafetal is a significant endorsement of the local ecosystem. The company will manage key operations from this site, including information technology, human resources, procurement, and finance.

Ivaylo Slavov, Chairman and CEO of Elevate, described the move as a critical step in the company’s global expansion, allowing it to better serve clients across the Americas while tapping into Costa Rican talent.

This opening marks a milestone in Elevate’s global expansion process. It allows us to strengthen our ability to support clients throughout the Americas, improve our operational efficiency, and open new opportunities for collaboration and growth. The Costa Rica hub represents much more than a new office: it symbolizes our commitment to innovation, talent development, and organizations worldwide. Being in Costa Rica brings us closer to our clients and reinforces our role as a global partner in flexible talent solutions and AI-driven technology.
Ivaylo Slavov, Chairman of the Board and CEO of Elevate

The project developer, Garnier & Garnier, views the successful launch as a validation of its vision to create spaces that foster innovation and national competitiveness. The firm’s President and CEO, Philippe Garnier, highlighted the broader impact of such developments.

For Garnier & Garnier, projects like WeWork El Cafetal represent much more than infrastructure; they are spaces that boost the country’s competitiveness and strengthen Costa Rica’s business ecosystem. This new opening reflects our vision of developing environments that integrate innovation, well-being, and sustainability, and reaffirms our long-term commitment to the growth of the corporate sector and the attraction of high-value investment.
Philippe Garnier, President and CEO of Garnier & Garnier Desarrollos Inmobiliarios

As Costa Rica continues to cement its reputation as a hub for global services, technology, and back-office operations, the demand for adaptable, high-quality infrastructure is set to rise. WeWork’s continued expansion positions it as a key strategic partner for companies looking to capitalize on the country’s growth with speed and efficiency.

For further information, visit wework.com
About WeWork:
WeWork is a global leader in providing flexible workspace solutions, offering a range of products from private offices and coworking spaces to custom enterprise headquarters. The company empowers businesses of all sizes to optimize real estate costs and adapt to modern work dynamics by providing access to premium infrastructure, technology, and a global community network without significant initial investment.

For further information, visit elevate.com
About Elevate:
With over 20 years of experience and a presence in nine countries, Elevate specializes in delivering flexible talent, technology, and business service solutions. The company helps organizations scale and optimize operations through shared service centers, centers of excellence, and hybrid work models, serving clients in industries such as technology, engineering, logistics, and finance across the United States, Europe, and Latin America.

For further information, visit garnier.co.cr
About Garnier & Garnier Desarrollos Inmobiliarios:
Garnier & Garnier is a prominent real estate development company recognized for its focus on creating sustainable and innovative projects. The firm specializes in developing corporate, commercial, and residential spaces that integrate modern infrastructure with principles of well-being and environmental responsibility, aiming to enhance Costa Rica’s business ecosystem and attract high-value investment.

For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica is an esteemed legal institution, operating on a bedrock of unwavering integrity and a relentless drive for professional distinction. The firm skillfully merges a proven legacy of advising a broad clientele with a pioneering spirit for legal innovation. This ethos is matched by a foundational commitment to demystifying the law for the public, reflecting a core mission to build a stronger, more capable society through shared legal knowledge.