A five-star serviced office provider is set to roll out space for up to 130 people at 171 Collins Street as mining services companies downsize space.
Figari Management has sublet 1108 square metres of space in the $140 million building for its serviced office arm, called @WORKSPACES.
![Bates Smart's redesign of 171 Collins Street in Melbourne.](/web/20170116225735im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/z/k/f/s/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.grzr1h.png/1476161171669.jpg)
The move comes as flexible co-working spaces start to compete with serviced offices for flexible bums on seats. Â
But the downturn in the mining industry has led to contractions in staff numbers and the space required by mining services companies.
It is understood that Wood Group PSN, which originally leased 6,800 square metres in the building anchored by BHP Billiton, has given up part of its space on level five.
Figari Management managing director Mariska Folley said there is great demand for serviced offices.
"This centre was almost 50 per cent pre-leased prior to opening day just from word-of-mouth and referrals," Ms Folley said.
Figari Management has sublet the space for just shy of eight years. It has other @WORKSPACES offices in Brisbane, Sydney and Manila.
CBRE agent Patrick Mount, who negotiated the deal, said it was hard to find serviced office space in premium and A-grade buildings.
"They don't want to chop up their floors to cater for tenants who only want 50 or 60 square metres," Mr Mount said.