Sometimes, the next big business idea doesn’t come from a boardroom presentation or a carefully planned investment strategy. Sometimes, it starts with a hot desk, a cup of coffee and a conversation that changes how someone sees the future of work.

That’s exactly how Workshop17‘s upcoming Hazelwood location in Pretoria came about. What began as a month-long working arrangement in Paarl has evolved into a property development project that could add a new dimension to Pretoria’s growing business and lifestyle scene.

Scheduled to open in early 2027, Workshop17 Hazelwood represents more than another coworking space. It reflects a growing appetite for work environments that bring people together, encourage collaboration and connect professional life with the neighbourhoods people call home.

From a Hot Desk in Paarl to Pretoria

The story started when Pretoria property developer Andries Pretorius visited Workshop17 Tabakhuis in Paarl, looking for somewhere to work for a month.

Instead of simply finding a temporary office, he discovered the value of being surrounded by people from different industries, exchanging ideas and building connections through everyday interactions.

The experience made such an impression that he returned to Pretoria determined to bring the concept home.

Together with business partner Etienne Maritz, through property development company Bow&Arc, Pretorius contacted Workshop17 CEO and co-founder Paul Keursten through LinkedIn.

The timing worked in their favour. Workshop17 had already been exploring opportunities in Pretoria but hadn’t found the right location.

When Keursten identified his preferred spot in Hazelwood, Bow&Arc took the opportunity further, eventually purchasing the property to make the development possible.

It’s an unconventional business story, but one that highlights how personal experiences and genuine belief in an idea can translate into something bigger.

Why Hazelwood Makes Sense

Location is everything, but increasingly, the neighbourhood surrounding a workplace matters just as much as the building itself.

Hazelwood has developed a distinctive identity within Pretoria, with independent restaurants, cafés, social spaces and pedestrian-friendly streets giving the area an almost village-like atmosphere.

For Pretorius and Maritz, this isn’t simply a business decision. They live in the neighbourhood, understand its character and recognise what makes people want to spend time there.

That connection is central to the Workshop17 Hazelwood vision.

Rather than creating an isolated office environment, the development aims to become part of an existing community. Plans include partnerships with neighbourhood restaurants, coffee shops, running clubs and other local businesses, giving members opportunities to engage with the area beyond their working hours.

It’s an approach that speaks to a broader lifestyle shift: people increasingly want convenience, connection and experiences built around their everyday environments.

The Future of Work Is About People

Remote working changed the professional landscape, but it also exposed something technology couldn’t fully replace: human interaction.

For many people, working from home offers flexibility, but it can also mean fewer spontaneous conversations, limited networking opportunities and the absence of a shared working environment.

Pretorius believes that experience has changed how people think about offices.

At Workshop17, the emphasis is on creating opportunities for people to connect naturally. A conversation over coffee, an unexpected introduction or hearing how someone in another industry approaches a challenge can create value that doesn’t always emerge during scheduled meetings.

This is particularly relevant for freelancers, entrepreneurs, creatives, consultants and smaller businesses looking for professional environments without committing to traditional office leases.

The idea isn’t simply to provide somewhere to sit with a laptop. It’s to create an environment where being around other ambitious people becomes part of the working experience.

A Purpose-Built Space With a Local Identity

Workshop17 Hazelwood also marks an important milestone for the brand as its first purpose-built development.

The approximately 2,455m² building will feature private offices, hot desks, meeting rooms, an on-site café and shared working areas.

Its library-inspired interior design will balance spaces for focused work with areas that encourage informal interaction and collaboration.

Located at the corner of Oaktree Avenue and 18th Street, the development is also an interesting example of property investment shaped by the needs of the business that will occupy it.

Bow&Arc‘s partners have invested in the Hazelwood operation and plan to move their own offices into the building once it opens. They will effectively become landlords, investors and tenants in a project they believe in.

That level of involvement gives the development a personal connection to the neighbourhood it hopes to serve.

Building More Than an Office

Workshop17 Hazelwood is a reminder that the future of work isn’t necessarily about bigger offices, more technology or impressive corporate addresses.

It’s also about creating environments where business, community and everyday life can exist alongside one another.

For Pretoria’s entrepreneurs, independent professionals and growing businesses, the development could offer another way to work, connect and build relationships without leaving the neighbourhood.

And perhaps that’s the most interesting part of its origin story: a month of hot-desking in Paarl helped inspire a new destination for Pretoria’s working community.

Workshop17 Hazelwood is scheduled to open in early 2027 at 26 Oaktree Avenue, Hazelwood, Pretoria.

For more information, visit workshop17.co.za.