WeWork Global Emerges from Chapter 11 After Restructuring

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

After a complex restructuring, WeWork Global has emerged from Chapter 11, which has been underway in the United States for the past nine months.

With this development, the wholly-owned portfolios of the organisation, including WeWork South Africa, can now operate independently without being affected by the Chapter 11 process.

WeWork South Africa is 100 per cent independently owned by the firm and operates separately from WeWork in the US and Canada.

“While WeWork South Africa operates independently from WeWork Global, its strengthened capital structure and optimised real estate portfolio will benefit the entire ecosystem,” said Stefano Migliore, CEO of WeWork South Africa, regarding the global announcement. “Through this process, WeWork Global has achieved extraordinary outcomes by completing a historically large and complex restructuring.”

With its restructuring complete, WeWork Global has also appointed a new CEO to lead the company in its next chapter. John Santora, former Tri-State Chairman at Cushman & Wakefield, is one of the most experienced global commercial real estate executives, having spent decades in various leadership roles at Cushman & Wakefield. Mr. Santora’s deep industry knowledge, strong relationships, and operational expertise make him the right leader to take WeWork into the future.

Andrew Robinson, Executive Director at WeWork South Africa, noted that WeWork Global’s newly optimised portfolio is an asset to local South African members of WeWork.

“WeWork operates globally across a portfolio of over 4 million square metres and approximately 600 locations in 37 countries. The reorganisation of the global business means that our South African members will continue to benefit from this access. In addition, as global office demand continues to move toward flexible solutions, our current and future landlords are guaranteed that WeWork South Africa is well-positioned to capitalise on the technology, data and community support needed to create truly outstanding flexible office solutions.