WeWork is turning offices into study halls

NEW YORK: WeWork Cos wants to be more than an office landlord. The coworking giant’s latest venture will give online-degree seekers a desk at WeWork locations.

The New York company said it’s teaming up with online education provider 2U, which develops graduate courses for schools, including New York University, University of California, Berkeley, and Yale University. Students enrolled in digital courses offered by 2U will be able to study from WeWork offices, where they can join in-person study groups and rent conference rooms to work together with classmates. Students will have access to any of WeWork’s 207 locations, known for their hip decor, free Wi-Fi and on-tap kombucha.

Last year, WeWork began testing a private elementary school in one of its New York locations and acquired Flatiron School, a coding academy.