New partnership between hotel operator Hind and flexible workspace expert Pierre Ferrandon brings premium co-working space to Christchurch

Flexible working became the norm during the pandemic – and now, to support business travellers and Christchurch locals who need a flexible office while on the go, a new flexible workspace is opening at Sudima Christchurch City. OMADA (the Greek word for ‘team’) is a joint venture between its co-founder, sector expert Pierre Ferrandon, and Sudesh Jhunjhnuwala, the owner of Hind Management and Sudima Hotels. It represents the next step in the workplace revolution, where the centralised office hub is gradually replaced by hybrid work, flexibility, and hospitality.

OMADA Christchurch will be run by Hind, the successful hotel management company which manages the award-winning Sudima group and now, with OMADA, is expanding into flexible workspaces. A second OMADA site, in Auckland, is already in the pipeline for opening in the near future.

The arrival of OMADA comes amid a resurgence of visitors to the city. Christchurch Airport data shows its domestic passenger numbers have recovered to 90 percent compared to pre-pandemic figures, and the location of Sudima Christchurch City makes it highly appealing to

business travellers who want proximity to the city and the convenience of a fully operational office which can be used for as little as an hour – or as long as 10 years.

OMADA complements the extensive conference facilities available at Novotel Christchurch Airport hotel, also run by Hind Management. OMADA is on track to receive low-carbon accreditation for its operational offsetting next year. The fit-out carbon footprint is already fully offset.

The dedicated and shared 550-sqm OMADA workspace at Sudima Christchurch City on Salisbury Street features core (leased space) and flex (on demand) space to align with hybrid work patterns, so companies and individuals only pay for what they use. In the same space a traditional office would have capacity for 50 people, while OMADA can accommodate 80 on a rotation basis. There is one boardroom, one meeting room, and two training rooms, and ultra-high-speed internet.

Pierre Ferrandon says, “In the past flexible workspaces have struggled to manage at scale and high volume without proper HR support, maintenance, and services such as security and cleaning – and so this new partnership, which has been several years in the making, is perfect for Hind’s expertise. The model of hospitality operators providing flexible workspace has proved successful overseas, and the New Zealand market is ready for it. It meets the long-term trend towards the sharing economy, companies pay less to get more, and it is more sustainable through increasing building utilisation and reducing wasteful space consumption.

For the hotel industry, flexible workspace functions like hotel rooms, offering steady cashflow rather than income from leasing. Sudesh Jhunjhnuwala says, “OMADA is a natural expansion of Hind Management’s hospitality expertise and a true partnership with a flexibility and hybrid work expert. Hind manages hotels and their in-house spas and restaurants – and now flexible workspace. It’s a full-circle moment for me because I used flexible working spaces for the first 10 years I was in New Zealand, building Sudima and HIND.

“The advantage for companies using this space inside Sudima Christchurch City is that everything they need in an office is built in – the fit-out, IT infrastructure, boardroom and meeting spaces – plus the benefit of being within an existing hospitality provider, with its associated food and beverage services and general amenities. The hotel’s all-day bistro The Lane is open from 6am every day, and there is a bar and Moss Spa available to all visitors as well as guests.”

OMADA has done the maths to show how a business can increase flexibility and convenience while reducing overhead costs. For example:

·        A company with six staff and a traditional long-term office leasing agreement:

o   120 sqm lease minimum

o   Costs per sqm (per annum):

• $400 rent

• $150 opex

• $150 fit-out depreciation

• $150 other facilities related costs

• Total = $102,000 per annum ($800 per sqm)

o   For quality space, there is typically a minimum five-year lease term, and to accommodate future growth around 200 sqm would be needed = $170,000 per annum

·        In comparison, for a six-person office, OMADA’s cost would be $82,668 per annum – with a month-to-month service agreement rather than a lease agreement, and zero liabilities.

As Omada opens its doors in Christchurch, it signifies a transformative step in the evolution of flexible workspaces in New Zealand. This innovative venture, a collaboration between Pierre Ferrandon and Sudesh Jhunjhnuwala, seamlessly blends the expertise of Hind Management with cutting-edge flexible workspace solutions.

With a strong focus on sustainability, operational efficiency, and user-centric design, Omada aims to redefine how businesses operate, offering unparalleled flexibility and convenience to both local professionals and business travelers. The establishment of Omada at Sudima Christchurch City not only supports the resurgence of business travel but also sets a new standard for office space utilization, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable and dynamic business environment.

As Hind Management expands its portfolio to include flexible workspaces, it is well-positioned to meet the growing demand for hybrid work models, ensuring that New Zealand remains at the forefront of this global trend.