The Commons Partners with IWG in North St. Charles
A significant new chapter is beginning for The Commons and the North St. Charles community.
Beginning September 1, 2026, The Commons will operate as HQ at The Commons through a Managed Partnership Agreement with International Workplace Group (IWG), making it the first IWG location in St. Charles County.
IWG is one of the world’s largest providers of flexible workspace, with more than 4,000 locations globally across brands including Regus, Spaces and HQ. The partnership brings that larger network and operating platform to The Commons while creating new opportunities for Commons Group to expand its other community-focused initiatives.
So, what actually changes—and what does it mean for members and residents?
Is The Commons being sold? No.
Paul Dinkins remains the owner of Commons Group, and the local vision behind The Commons remains intact. The biggest change is that IWG’s HQ brand will manage the coworking operation through its established workspace platform, systems and global sales network.
For Commons Group, the partnership is an opportunity to pair the resources of a global workspace organization with something The Commons has spent years building locally: a strong community of entrepreneurs, small businesses, remote workers and residents.
What changes for Commons members?
Current Commons agreements will be honored, and members will have access to new HQ membership options as well. One of the biggest benefits is the expanded network. HQ members can access IWG’s broader network of 4,000+ professional workspaces around the world, depending on their membership.
The member experience will also move from OfficeRnD to IWG’s technology platform, and meeting room benefits will transition from the current credit system to HQ’s discount-based model.
The building itself will continue evolving. Plans include a new first-floor meeting room and converting some upstairs space into additional private offices to meet demand for dedicated workspace.
What happens to the Commons team?
The Commons team is staying. Roles will evolve as HQ assumes more of the day-to-day coworking operation, allowing the existing Commons Group team to spend more time supporting the organization’s other businesses, properties and community initiatives.
HQ will also add a dedicated full-time Community Associate at The Commons to support workspace members and daily operations. That means the partnership isn't simply bringing a new brand to the building—it is also creating a new local employment opportunity.
Interested in joining the team?
HQ is currently hiring a full-time Community Associate at The Commons. View the position and apply here.What happens to Commons Fitness?
Commons Fitness remains part of Commons Group and is not becoming part of IWG. The Fitness Center will continue serving members and residents, with Commons Group evaluating opportunities to improve programming, classes and amenities.
In fact, one benefit of the HQ partnership is that the Commons team can devote more attention to businesses like Commons Fitness rather than having so much organizational capacity tied to operating the coworking business.
What about Shire Lane Estate?
The same principle applies to Shire Lane Estate. Shire Lane remains part of Commons Group, and the organization plans to devote additional resources toward developing it as a community gathering and event destination. That includes programming, events, property improvements and creating more opportunities for residents and organizations to use and experience the property.
What happens to NTxConnect?
NTxConnect is staying local—and growing. NTxConnect has evolved beyond its original connection to The Commons into a broader community platform encompassing the magazine, website, email, local events, jobs, business promotion and community storytelling.
NTx membership will now operate independently from Commons workspace memberships, allowing NTx to focus specifically on connecting residents, businesses and organizations throughout New Town and the broader North St. Charles community.
NTx will also play a larger role in promoting and connecting people with Commons Group event spaces, including The Commons Courtyard, Fusion Room and Shire Lane Estate.
Why is Commons Group making this change?
The partnership comes down to focusing resources where they can have the greatest impact. IWG specializes in flexible workspace. It brings an established global platform for workspace sales, memberships, technology and operations.
Commons Group specializes in something different: building local places, programs and connections around community. Partnering with IWG allows each organization to concentrate on what it does best.
It also creates additional capacity for Commons Group to develop initiatives already underway, including Commons Fitness, Shire Lane Estate, NTxConnect, Commons Invest and the planned Commons Foundation.
What does this mean for our community?
Perhaps the biggest story is what the partnership represents. A global organization establishing its first St. Charles County location at The Commons is another significant investment in the continued growth of New Town and North St. Charles.
Local entrepreneurs and remote workers gain access to a much larger workspace network. The Commons gains the infrastructure and reach of an international workspace provider. And Commons Group gains more capacity to invest its time and resources into locally focused businesses, properties and initiatives.
For residents who never use a coworking desk, the impact may show up in other ways: more community programming, continued investment in local properties and event spaces, a growing local media platform, new employment opportunities and stronger connections between businesses and residents.
For local businesses, NTxConnect will continue expanding as a way to reach, hire, connect and engage with the North St. Charles community.
For residents, it means another significant organization has chosen to invest in this growing part of St. Charles County—while the local team behind The Commons remains committed to building what comes next.
The name on the workspace is changing to HQ at The Commons.The larger mission of building community around it is not.