The nature of work is evolving, and one of the biggest changes is the number of self-employed and remote workers around the world. Of course, the stereotype of flat-white drinking, MacBook Air wielding hipsters huddled in cafes and coffee shop will be hard to shift, but one way in which freelancers are gaining a more ‘professional’ reputation is through the proliferation of co-working spaces, which can now be found in most major cities. At these venues, so-called communal desks and private offices are available for hourly, daily, monthly or annual rent, either for individuals or small companies, who then have access to all of the location’s amenities, as well as the chance to meet like-minded workers too.
Loosecubes co-working space in DUMBO, Brooklyn (Photo: PROInhabitat via Flickr)
In Manhattan, you can barely walk more than a few hundred metres before encountering a co-working space. With such a huge choice available, finding the right one for you can be a tricky task. To help you out, we’ve dug deep and looked into all of the options, picking out 7 of the best, based on location, price, flexibility and previous client reviews.
1. Beewake
This vibrant co-working space allows you to work, meet and collaborate in a busy, fun and productive environment – whether you’re alone or here as part of a team. Amenities include including a conference room, private offices, free WiFi and complimentary printing services, while there’s also a kitchen, microwave, hot beverages and snacks. Users can book an on-demand workspace here for as little as a few hours or the entire day. Beewake also has several other locations across New York and beyond.
LOCATION 399 Park Avenue HOURS Mon-Fri 8am-7pm Closed Sat-Sun WEBSITE www.beewake.com
Inside the Beewake co-working space on Park Avenue (Photo: Beewake)
2. Workville
Rated the number one Best Coworking Space in New York by Yelp, Workville has built a reputation for fostering the city’s most talented growth-stage startups. It is also one of the most luxurious co-working locations in the city, featuring spacious offices and open desks, along with sumptuous private terraces where you can kick back and relax, or even take your laptop if you prefer. With over 300 members, including a number of thought leaders and industry disrupters, this is certainly a space where people are focussed on success. The atmosphere is a harmonious mix of professional and friendly, largely due to the management team’s style which focuses on being hands-on and personable. To accommodate growing member demand, Workville recently launched a brand new floor exclusively for large-team offices with between 8 and 25 staff.
LOCATION 1412 Broadway HOURS Mon-Fri 9am-5pm Closed Sat-Sun WEBSITE www.workvillenyc.com
Desks at the Workville co-working space (Photo: Leonardo Mascaro)
3. Blender Workspace
Blender Workspace is a leading, award-winning luxury workspace provider located on Madison Avenue in the up-and-coming NoMad district of New York. Launched in January 2017, the 15,000 square foot space was thoughtfully designed by Parts And Labor Design and caters to a discerning member set of established professionals who require beautiful aesthetics and an elevated work experience. Several prominent firms across industries such as media, creative, fashion, wellness, and lifestyle call Blender home. With amenities such as a cafe, private offices and conference rooms, Blender also curates exclusive events centered on contemporary art, music and culture.
LOCATION 135 Madison Avenue – Floor 8 HOURS Mon-Fri 8am-11pm Closed Sat-Sun WEBSITE www.blenderworkspace.com
Workers chatting over their laptops at Blender Workspace (Photo: Blender)
4. The Commons
Located on the Upper East Side, The Commons is in the heart of one of Manhattan’s most vibrant districts. Spread over two floors of flexible workspaces, conference rooms and phone booths, the space offers a diverse range of packages for small businesses, remote professionals, consultants and freelancers, including day passes and nights and weekend access, meaning there’s certain to be one to suit your needs. Amenities include free WiFi, copiers and printers, a kitchen, and all the coffee you can drink. Another benefit is that The Commons has partnered with several external businesses and brands to offer its clients discounts for anything from yoga classes to local hotel stays. Finally, it wpuld be remiss not to mention the venue’s dedicated therapy room, which provides comfortable and quiet surroundings for psychotherapy sessions lead by licensed professionals.
LOCATION 157 East 86th Street DATES Mon-Fri 9am-6pm Closed Sat-Sun WEBSITE www.commonsnyc.com
5. The Wing
Recent years have seen a number of female-only venues popping up, as women increasingly seek their own spaces in which to navigate daily life. The Wing builds on this trend by only being open to female workers. Membership at the venue’s Flatiron and Soho addresses include access to open-plan and private workspace, plus a number of amenities designed with women’s needs in mind, including a lactation room, blow-dry facilities, and a diverse programme of female-focussed events and activities. There are two membership option at The Wing, one offering access to just a single location and another that allows you to work at either of the two locations.
LOCATION 45 East 20th Street HOURS Mon-Fri 8am-9pm; Sat 10am-6pm Closed Sun WEBSITE www.the-wing.com
6. District CoWork Nomad
Located in the centre of Manhattan, District is more akin to a private members club than a humble co-working space. There’s a private rooftop lounge, an indoor and outdoor market showcasing New York’s culinary entrepreneurs, and even a retail space where vendors can be found hawking their wares. But people don’t just come here to relax, eat and shop – some serious work gets done here too, thanks to the venue’s impressive choice of open work spaces with dedicated desks, private offices and conference rooms. As well as the day-to-day hubbub of working life, District also plays host to a regular programme of curated meet-ups, launch parties, demo nights, start-up mixers, and other professional development events – with all members invited.
LOCATION 1204 Broadway HOURS Mon-Sun 7am-12am WEBSITE www.districtcowork.com/
A busy working day at District CoWork Nomad (Photo: District CoWork Nomad)
7. The Farm SoHo
Spread across a 1,500 square foot loft on Manhattan’s famous Broadway, The Farm is both a dedicated events venue and 24/7 co-working space. The interior is delightful, with plenty of natural light and bespoke reclaimed wood furnishings dotted throughout, helping create a soothing working environment. A number of packages are available, including day passes, hot desk rentals and dedicated desk rentals that give you a permanent private desk with storage. Other amenities at The Farm include conference rooms, a bleacher area with a projector designed for intimate presentation/discussion session, a kitchen with fridges and a microwave, a coffee machine and water purification.
LOCATION 447 Broadway 2nd Floor HOURS 24/7 WEBSITE www.thefarmsoho.com