Speculation has arisen over a potential conflict of interest between WeWork Founder Adam Neumann ’s personal investments and the ~$20bn valuation office management firm . Neumann reportedly acquired a sizeable stake in 88 Eaton Place when investor Elie Tahari bought it in 2015 for $ 70 m . WeWork then signed a forward lease for eight of the 11 floors , giving it a stake in both landlord and tenant . The entire WeWork location was subsequently leased by IBM in 2017 . “I say, ‘What do you mean?’ A WeWork spokesperson said the firm has a transparent process for related - party transactions and that these are disclosed to investors .
Speculation has arisen over a potential conflict of interest between WeWork Founder Adam Neumann ’s personal investments and the ~$20bn valuation office management firm . Neumann reportedly acquired a sizeable stake in 88 Eaton Place when investor Elie Tahari bought it in 2015 for $ 70 m . WeWork then signed a forward lease for eight of the 11 floors , giving it a stake in both landlord and tenant . The entire WeWork location was subsequently leased by IBM in 2017 . A WeWork spokesperson said the firm has a transparent process for related - party transactions and that these are disclosed to investors .