After initial involvement, the New York-based workspace-sharing company WeWork is no longer connected with a mixed-use project set for downtown Bentonville.
Construction of the project is continuing without WeWork, and developers have announced an early 2022 opening date.
WeWork, known for its co-working spaces that are popular with remote workers, and developer Josh Kyles of Center City LLC debuted plans for a 230,000-square-foot building in Northwest Arkansas in April 2019.
As the year progressed, WeWork was mired with problems that led to a failed initial public offering and the ouster of the company's founder, Adam Neumann. The company was later bailed out by Softbank and representatives continued to meet with Kyles on the Arkansas development, collaborating on the design of the project.
Kyles said in an email Tuesday that "WeWork is no longer involved" but did not go into specifics.
Updated plans released this week show the six-floor building will prominently feature a switchback ramp route for cyclists to access each floor, and offer flexible workspaces for the community.
The project, called the Ledger, was designed in collaboration with Marlon Blackwell Architects and architects Christian Callaghan and Haruka Horiuchi. Cushman & Wakefield/Sage Partners are leasing space and managing the project.
"The Ledger will be a business and community hub serving as the entrepreneurial heart of Northwest Arkansas," Kyles said in a written statement. It is at 240 S. Main St.
Despite leaving the project, the real estate company said in prepared remarks that it was committed to Bentonville through the recent start-up of WeWork Labs in the historic Massey Building downtown and "looked forward to seeing the Ledger succeed."