What we are seeing in Dublin workspace.

We run serviced workspace at The Freight Building in The Point Village, so we get a close view of who’s looking for space in Dublin and why.

These are notes, not a market report. They reflect what comes up again and again in the conversations we have every week.

1. Smaller teams, higher standards

Many of the companies coming to see us want less space than they would have five years ago, but they’re far more particular about it. We’re seeing teams of 10 to 50 exploring alternatives to offices that previously accommodated more than 100 workstations.

They want good meeting rooms, somewhere to take a private call, reliable technology and a comfortable place to bring clients. A smaller office works well when the shared facilities around it give the team everything else it needs.

The question is becoming less about how many desks will fit and more about how the space will work on a busy Tuesday.

2. They ask who else is in the building

People want to know who they’ll be next to. For a studio, that might mean other creative businesses. For a growing company, it might mean access to potential collaborators, clients or experienced people who understand their sector.

At The Freight Building, our work bringing together film, media and technology businesses has made this especially relevant. There is value in proximity, but introductions and shared activity are what turn proximity into useful relationships.

The building’s community has become part of the offer.

3. Flexibility is part of the value

Price matters. So does knowing what happens when the business changes.

Can the team add desks? Is there a meeting room for the days when everyone comes in? Can visiting colleagues be accommodated without taking on permanent space?

For an employer managing uncertain headcount or a new project, those practical questions can carry as much weight as the monthly fee. The value lies in having space that can adapt, with clear terms and someone available to help.

4. The people running it make a difference

A good fit-out gets attention on a viewing. The day-to-day experience gives people a reason to stay.

Someone knows the team, follows through when something needs fixing and helps a visitor feel welcome. Meeting rooms are ready. Shared spaces are looked after. Useful introductions happen.

In my experience of opening and operating workspaces internationally, those details have consistently mattered. They matter just as much in The Point Village today.

What this means for Dublin workspace

Taken together, these conversations point towards a more service-led approach to workspace. The office still needs to function well, but the experience of using it matters alongside its size, location and cost.

For building owners, that means thinking about how a building is operated, who it attracts and what makes occupiers want to remain. For companies looking for space, it means asking more about everyday life there.

We’ll keep sharing what we see.

If you’re looking for workspace, or you own a building and want to strengthen its appeal to occupiers, come and see what we’re building at The Freight Building in The Point Village.