On-Demand: Why Short-Stay Products Are Now the Present and Future of Flexible Workspace
The profitability of the industry depends on it.
The modern office is not just a desk—it’s a menu. The “on-demand” revolution is now central to how Americans and Canadians experience workspace, helping workers and companies alike stay both nimble and connected.
Data Snapshot: Rising Interest in On-Demand Flex
Google search trends from the past 12 months paint a sharp picture: searches for meeting rooms in the U.S. and Canada are up 79%, event space inquiries up 39%, coworking space searches up 36%, and day office interest up 30% (US and CA Flex Market Report, Instant Group 2025).
Short-stay products—Bookable by the day or even the hour—are the fastest-growing segments in the flex spectrum.
Why Now?
Hybrid teams need mixing hubs for collaboration and engagement.
Cost efficiency: No one wants to pay for empty desks, but everyone wants access when they need it.
Employee demand: Workers want choices, convenience, and a commute measured in minutes, not hours.
Thoughtful technology solutions: Booking platforms like flexspace.ai have supercharged meeting room bookings with dynamic pricing and real time inventory.
Operator Response
Bundling short-stay options (day passes, meeting rooms, event spaces) into hybrid-friendly memberships.
Prioritizing seamless digital booking systems and value-added services.
Upselling with tiered access and corporate packages—maximizing revenue with minimal capital outlay.
This product diversification isn’t just an extra—it’s now central to building reliable, recurring revenue streams and long-term customer loyalty.
The Next Evolution
On-demand flex is driving a structural change in how companies design their real estate footprint—making the office a collection of services, not just space.
Do Short Stay Products Make Money?
Most flexible workspace operators earn around 5% of their topline revenue from short stay products. However, larger, mature operators like IWG / Regus earn upwards of 25% from products like virtual offices, meeting room bookings, parking, coffee, and more.
The Takeaway
If you’re running flex space, having only long-term contracts is yesterday’s news. The future is short and sweet: bookings by the hour, by the day, and a value proposition tailored to the realities—and preferences—of the hybrid era.
Source: US and CA Flex Market Report, The Instant Group, 2025.