naked Hub Expanding Co-Working Network into HK, Beijing, Hanoi and HCMC

Shanghai-based naked Hub today announced plans to open new centres in five cities across Greater China and Vietnam as the high-end co-working startup expands its network to 21 locations across Asia.

The new venues in Shanghai, Beijing, Hong Kong, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are being revealed at the same time that the two-year-old flexible office firm unveils new partnerships with developers China Vanke and Minghong Group in China, as well as with the head of Empire City real estate group in Vietnam.

The co-working company’s big leap forward is being supported by an expansion in its partnership with Gaw Capital, which will be involved with the new openings in Beijing, Hong Kong and Hanoi.

Growing to 12 Locations in Shanghai

naked Hub, which belongs to the same group as the naked Retreat resorts has leveraged its expertise in hospitality and design to rapidly build a network of co-working locations across Shanghai, and now into Hong Kong and Southeast Asia.

In Hong Kong naked Hub is occupying several floors in the former EIB Centre on Bonham Strand in Sheung Wan, as it opens its first location outside of China.

In Shanghai, this latest round of expansion will bring the company’s network to 12 locations citywide, totalling almost 100,000 square metres of workspace and 15,000 seats, according to a statement by the company.

“We are building a coworking ecosystem with transformative power. It is bringing not only new landmarks of innovations and sharing, but also vitality and business opportunities to the surrounding neighborhoods,” said Jon Seliger, CEO of naked Hub.

Expanding Through Partnerships

Central to naked’s rapid expansion is a set of new partnerships with developers in China and Vietnam. “The strong partnerships we have built, both new and existing, are demonstrations of trust in naked Group’s vision and expertise to embrace the evolution of working space, and the value we could create for both our tenants and investors,” said Grant Horsfield, Founder of naked Group.

In Shanghai’s former French concession, naked Hub is teaming up with China Vanke to open a new co-working centre at the top-five mainland developer’s Columbia Circle project at Yan’an Lu and Panyu Lu, which aims to bring back to life the pre-war Columbia Country Club. The company also announced a partnership with Minhong Group, a subsidiary of Shanghai Land for its 11,000 square metre, 1,700-desk mega-center on Loushanguan Lu in western Shanghai’s Gubei district.

In opening its new locations in Beijing, Hong Kong and Hanoi, naked Hub will be extending its cooperation with private equity real estate powerhouse Gaw Capital, which led a $33 million round of investment in naked Hub in November of last year.

naked Hub Teams Up with Power Players to Open in Vietnam

In opening its first centres in Vietnam – two in Ho Chi Minh City in addition to the Hanoi location – naked Hub is joining hands with some experienced local players.

Among its new Vietnamese partners are Vo Sy Nhan, CEO of Ho Chi Minh City-based developer Empire City and head of private equity investment firm NP Capital. Vo, who is working with naked as an individual, has also partnered with Gaw and Singapore’s Keppel Land on separate projects. For its Vietnam efforts, naked Hub has also teamed up with Le Minh Hong, head of Vietnamese Internet group VNG and creator of Zalo, Vietnam’s leading chat app.

“As we announce our plan to expand our footprint, I would like to thank all local partners for joining our cause to explore work space solutions for the 21 st century,” said Seliger. “Together using the imaginative space we craft, we discover possibilities and models in business and build quality lifestyle for the public.”