WeWork opens doors to Jerusalem's entrepreneurs

The opening of WeWork's Jerusalem branch follows the successful launch of eight offices in Tel Aviv, Haifa, Beersheva and Herzliya which together provide affordable work spaces for 5,000 employees.

By EYTAN HALON
WeWork's office in Jerusalem (photo credit: WEWORK)
WeWork's office in Jerusalem
(photo credit: WEWORK)
American collaborative work-space company WeWork officially opened its doors to Jerusalem's start-up community for the first time on Monday evening as it opened its new city center home in the capital.
Outgoing Jerusalem mayor Nir Barkat and successor Moshe Lion jointly cut the ribbon, marking the final public engagement of Barkat's ten-year term in office.
The opening of WeWork's Jerusalem branch follows the successful launch of eight offices in Tel Aviv, Haifa, Beersheva and Herzliya which together provide affordable work spaces for 5,000 employees.
The newest WeWork offering, located at 20 King George Street, can accomodate a further 400 individuals. Globally, WeWork's 335 centers provide offices for approximately 320,000 workers in 83 cities across 24 countries.
"It is the festival of lights and everything that this building, and WeWork in general, aims to do is to bring light to the world," WeWork Israel's general manager Benjy Singer told an audience of innovators and WeWork supporters.
"In this building there are both Jews, secular and ultra-Orthodox, and Arabs, and we can see here exactly what we are witnessing across this most special of cities," Singer added.
Prior to Monday's official inauguration, companies including Gift of Life Marrow, Start-Up Nation Central, Made in JLM and DataToCapital already moved into the new offices.
"It makes me incredibly happy to see the city of Jerusalem developing at fast speed, in hi-tech, culture and other fields," said Barkat. "For me, to cut the ribbon today and to see the formal opening of WeWork warms my heart."
Barkat, a former entrepreneur who now intends to pursue a future in national politics, added that he was committed to advancing the prosperity of Jerusalem in his next position.
"I am excited to be here because I think WeWork and similar places are part of the future of Jerusalem," said Lion. "This is how we will succeed to attract increased employment and more young people to the city."