WeWork, once valued at an astounding $47 billion, is now on the brink of filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The company, backed by SoftBank Group, is contemplating this move as it grapples with a substantial debt burden and escalating losses.

Recent reports indicate that WeWork is seriously considering filing for bankruptcy, with the possibility of doing so as early as next week. This potential Chapter 11 petition is expected to take place in New Jersey, according to information from the Wall Street Journal.

WeWork recently struck a deal with its creditors to temporarily delay payments for a portion of its debt. However, this arrangement's grace period is drawing to a close. As of the end of June, the company reported a net long-term debt of $2.9 billion and over $13 billion in long-term leases. This comes at a time when rising borrowing costs are impacting the commercial real estate sector.

The potential bankruptcy filing marks a significant turn of events for WeWork, once valued at an impressive $47 billion in 2019. It also raises concerns for investor SoftBank, which poured substantial investments into the company.

The fall of WeWork 

Founded in 2010, the brainchild of Adam Neumann and Miguel McKelvey promised a revolution in office space solutions. By offering flexible workspaces to freelancers, startups, and businesses, WeWork quickly gained traction. Its unique business model, based on long-term leases and short-term sublets, thrived in an era of low-interest rates.

The company's valuation soared, breaching the billion-dollar mark in 2014, earning it unicorn status. With significant investments from SoftBank Group, WeWork's valuation skyrocketed to an astonishing $47 billion, setting the stage for an eagerly anticipated IPO. However, the winds of change were on the horizon.

As the COVID-19 pandemic swept the globe in 2020, remote work became the norm, and the demand for physical office spaces plummeted. WeWork, heavily reliant on shared workspaces, faced its most significant challenge yet. In an attempt to steer the ship, real estate veteran Sandeep Mathrani took the helm as CEO, implementing cost-cutting measures and restructuring debt.

In 2021, WeWork made a bid for a fresh start, going public through a SPAC merger. The move signalled a strategic shift towards key markets and a focus on serving larger corporate clients with hybrid work arrangements. However, despite these efforts, WeWork's market capitalisation as a publicly traded entity witnessed a staggering decline.

Today, WeWork stands at a crossroads, grappling with excess supply, shifting demand dynamics, fierce competition, and economic uncertainties. Interim CEO David Tolley acknowledges the formidable challenges ahead. 

According to The New York Times, the company has more than 18 million square feet of rentable office space in the U.S. and Canada alone and that its failure could have a “sizable impact” on the commercial real estate industry.

SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son once openly admitted his regret during an earnings call. "It was foolish of me to invest in WeWork. I was wrong," he said.