NEW YORK CITY—When two sharing-economy disruptors join forces, will the result be more disruption? The office, hotel and apartment sectors may soon find out, as Airbnb Inc. and WeWork have begun a pilot program in six cities for corporate customers of Airbnb to reserve space at the closest WeWork location.

A spokesman for Airbnb confirmed a Bloomberg Business report that the program was being launched, initially in New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, Washington, London and Sydney. However, he told GlobeSt.com that the company could not release further specifics on the program. GlobeSt.com's requests for comment from WeWork did not receive a response by late Thursday afternoon.

“We all know part of living includes working, so if an Airbnb guest is looking for a collaborative environment or space to host meetings while traveling for work, we want to provide them with options,” David Holyoke, global head of Airbnb for Work, told the London Daily Telegraph. “Right now, we're piloting a program with WeWork to connect Airbnb travelers with WeWork spaces and amenities.”

The San Francisco-based provider of home rentals has pursued the business travel market since at least 2015, when it launched a “Business Travel Ready” badge for Airbnb hosts who can offer amenities such as Wi-Fi, 24-hour check-in and laptop-ready workspace. This past April, the company rolled out a search tool intended to help travelers zero in on hosts that can provide these amenities. Holyoke told Bloomberg at the time that Airbnb expects to quadruple its business travel volume this year, after tripling it in 2016.

At New York City-based WeWork, Dina Berrada, VP of the firm's product division, told the New York Business Journal Thursday, “The way people work is changing. The way people travel for work is changing. Business travel is becoming less about being a road warrior and more about aligning professional and personal needs. We hope this partnership builds meaningful connections for our members and their guests and provides them with unique and authentic business travel experiences.”

Observes housing law expert Sherwin Belkin, a partner with Belkin Burden Wenig & Goldman LP, “Airbnb's business model in New York City is predominantly facilitating short-term rentals (less than 30 days) which are often violative of a host of laws and the terms of the prime tenant's lease. Thus far, Airbnb's response is to deny responsibility or liability, essentially leaving tenants and owners to 'hold the bag' for potential fines.

“If Airbnb's joining with WeWork places the short term renter's business use outside of the apartment. that would not create an additional concern for residential owners who are already troubled by Airbnb's presence in their buildings,” he continues. “But, if in fact, the alignment by Airbnb with WeWork will now facilitate the business use of a residential apartment, that would certainly add to the already significant concerns of residential property owners where Airbnb is involved in their apartments.”

The Telegraph reported Thursday that Airbnb has not committed to any firm deal with WeWork outside of the trial, and will review its options after the pilot program ends. For its part, WeWork currently accounts for about 25% of all office leasing volume in London, according to the Telegraph.

NEW YORK CITY—When two sharing-economy disruptors join forces, will the result be more disruption? The office, hotel and apartment sectors may soon find out, as Airbnb Inc. and WeWork have begun a pilot program in six cities for corporate customers of Airbnb to reserve space at the closest WeWork location.

A spokesman for Airbnb confirmed a Bloomberg Business report that the program was being launched, initially in New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, Washington, London and Sydney. However, he told GlobeSt.com that the company could not release further specifics on the program. GlobeSt.com's requests for comment from WeWork did not receive a response by late Thursday afternoon.

“We all know part of living includes working, so if an Airbnb guest is looking for a collaborative environment or space to host meetings while traveling for work, we want to provide them with options,” David Holyoke, global head of Airbnb for Work, told the London Daily Telegraph. “Right now, we're piloting a program with WeWork to connect Airbnb travelers with WeWork spaces and amenities.”

The San Francisco-based provider of home rentals has pursued the business travel market since at least 2015, when it launched a “Business Travel Ready” badge for Airbnb hosts who can offer amenities such as Wi-Fi, 24-hour check-in and laptop-ready workspace. This past April, the company rolled out a search tool intended to help travelers zero in on hosts that can provide these amenities. Holyoke told Bloomberg at the time that Airbnb expects to quadruple its business travel volume this year, after tripling it in 2016.

At New York City-based WeWork, Dina Berrada, VP of the firm's product division, told the New York Business Journal Thursday, “The way people work is changing. The way people travel for work is changing. Business travel is becoming less about being a road warrior and more about aligning professional and personal needs. We hope this partnership builds meaningful connections for our members and their guests and provides them with unique and authentic business travel experiences.”

Observes housing law expert Sherwin Belkin, a partner with Belkin Burden Wenig & Goldman LP, “Airbnb's business model in New York City is predominantly facilitating short-term rentals (less than 30 days) which are often violative of a host of laws and the terms of the prime tenant's lease. Thus far, Airbnb's response is to deny responsibility or liability, essentially leaving tenants and owners to 'hold the bag' for potential fines.

“If Airbnb's joining with WeWork places the short term renter's business use outside of the apartment. that would not create an additional concern for residential owners who are already troubled by Airbnb's presence in their buildings,” he continues. “But, if in fact, the alignment by Airbnb with WeWork will now facilitate the business use of a residential apartment, that would certainly add to the already significant concerns of residential property owners where Airbnb is involved in their apartments.”

The Telegraph reported Thursday that Airbnb has not committed to any firm deal with WeWork outside of the trial, and will review its options after the pilot program ends. For its part, WeWork currently accounts for about 25% of all office leasing volume in London, according to the Telegraph.