Home to the University of Texas’ flagship campus, the state capital of Austin has a rich history of nurturing some of the finest minds in America. The city’s academic legacy is also matched by a vibrant modern-day entrepreneurial scene, with a large number of business start-ups across diverse sectors popping up here in recent years.
A view of Downtown Austin at dusk (Photo: Shiva Shenoy via Flickr / CC BY 2.0)
In support of those embarking on ambitious careers, Austin is home to a large number of coworking spaces tailored for productive, sociable, and engaging daily working. If you’re planning to spend time in Austin and would like to use a coworking space while you’re here, we’ve picked out 10 of the best that offer versatile packages ideal for temporary residents in the city.
MELD Coworking
Located in vibrant Central Austin, MELD Coworking is a friendly and colourful coworking space where individuals and small teams can work productively together. With multiple work areas, large screen monitors, ergonomic workstations, and dedicated quiet nooks, remote workers have the flexibility to do their best work however they’re most comfortable. Day passes are available for $25, and flexible month-to-month memberships begin at $180 with no long-term contracts. Additional amenities include adjustable sit-to-stand desks, bike racks, on-site parking, dedicated fibre internet, phone booths, meeting rooms available for rent ($25 per hour), and complimentary coffee, tea, beer, and snacks.
LOCATION 502 West 30th Street WEBSITE meldcoworking.com
(Photo: MELD Coworking)
Work & Woof
Work & Woof is a traditional coworking space with a quirky twist, giving dog owners the chance to bring their four-legged friend with them to the office. Perfect for dog lovers who can’t bear the thought of leaving Rex home alone during the day, the venue offers both a supervised indoor/outdoor play park, or the option to simply keep your dog with you by your desk. There are four distinct membership packages, starting at $400 per month for hot desk access, and all memberships include free doggy daycare while you’re onsite, as well as use of a number of amenities such as office supplies, private phone booths, locked filing cabinets, printing services, a well-equipped kitchen, and free coffee & tea. Day passes cost $30 per day and also come with free daycare for your furry friend.
LOCATION 4930 South Congress Avenue building a WEBSITE www.workandwoofatx.com
(Photo: Work & Woof)
Common Desk
With three venues dotted across Austin (North Austin, Downtown, and East Austin), Common Desk is a well-established name on the city’s coworking landscape. There are a number of membership packages available, starting at $350 per month for a shared desk, while day passes can be purchased for $25 per day. Whatever you opt for, all members have access to a range of amenities and services, including high-speed WiFi, unlimited conference room bookings, chat rooms, cocktail lounges, fruit, food bars and tea/coffee/beer. There are also regular community and wellness events that offer the ideal chance to network and meet like-minded folk.
FLAGSHIP LOCATION 106 East 6th Street WEBSITE www.thecommondesk.com
(Photo: Common Desk)
The Commune
Situated in Austin’s buzzing North Loop neighbourhood, and surrounded by quirky vintage stores and dive bars, The Commune is popular with artists, creatives and anyone keen to work in a community-oriented setting. There are a number of coworking memberships, each offering access to community spaces and workshops, starting at $200 per month for two-days-a-week access. For irregular visitors, there are also day passes for $30 per day. Everyone who enters The Commune can enjoy use of community tables, a lounge, a courtyard, printers and scanners, a mess sink, easels, a design resource library, computer monitors, private phone booths, a kitchen, art storage, a conference room and a photo studio.
LOCATION 101 North Loop Boulevard East WEBSITE www.thecommuneatx.com
(Photo: The Commune)
Orange Coworking
Nestled in a shopping plaza in the suburbs of south Austin, away from the hustle and bustle of downtown, Orange Coworking is a membership-based workspace for entrepreneurs, freelancers, small businesses, telecommuters, and anyone else seeking a remote working environment. There are also meeting rooms and event spaces for rent to members and non-members. Membership rates start at $275 per month for open space working, and day passes are also available for $35 (or for better value, you can buy a pack of 10 for $275). Open 24/7 and with key fob access for members, amenities and services include high-speed internet, printing, soft drinks & snacks, and tea & coffee.
LOCATION 2110 West Slaughter Lane #160 WEBSITE www.orangecoworking.com
(Photo: Orange Coworking)
FIRMSPACE
Opened in 2017, FIRMSPACE’s Austin venue is designed to give established professionals an alternative to traditional executive suites and open-office co-working spaces. Spread across the entire 19th floor of the city’s 500 West 2nd skyscraper, also home to Austin’s Google outpost, the space combines a world class office setting with eye-catching views of downtown. Soundproofed enclosed offices are available starting at $800 per month, payable by the month or by signing up for longer terms. Members also have access to a range of shared high-spec amenities including conference rooms, a common area with cold-brew coffee on tap and a fitness centre.
LOCATION 500 West 2nd Street #1900 WEBSITE www.firmspace.com
(Photo: FIRMSPACE)
CRAFT
Situated a 10-minute walk from Austin’s downtown district, CRAFT offers walk-in coworking for all-comers. But the space’s main USP is that it also caters specifically to people whose day-to-day work involves hands-on creativity in fields such as metalwork, jewellery and cabinetry. There’s space here for up to 40 crafters (plus 200 standing guests) to come here and make use of tables, shelves and an extensive library of DIY supplies and tools. The most basic membership is priced at $10 for the first week and then $60 per month going forwards. Coworking hours are Monday through Friday.
LOCATION 4704 East Cesar Chavez Street WEBSITE madeatcraft.com
(Photo: CRAFT)
Link
Spread across three locations, all within a block of each other, Link offers professional, welcoming work spaces featuring dedicated desks, meeting rooms, connectivity and, most importantly, human interaction. Large library tables, comfy chairs complimentary drinks & snacks, and sweeping views of Austin’s picturesque green spaces add to the experience. Each coworking venue is open 7 days a week, from 6am to 12am, and memberships start at $350 per month for a shared desk.
LOCATION 2700 W Anderson Lane #205 WEBSITE linkcoworking.com
(Photo: Link Coworking)
Duo Works
Located in North Austin, Duo Works is a professional coworking, office and meeting space where remote workers can thrive in a collaborative and creative environment. There’s a mix of private offices, meeting and training rooms, open lounge areas and desk areas, and members can make use of fast Internet, printing services, community events, and complimentary beverages. There’s also a dedicated smartphone app for members to book meeting rooms. The cheapest membership is a Part Time membership package, which starts at $125 and gives you access to hot desking in an open coworking area for 6 days per month, plus 4 hours of meeting credits and use of printing, parking and beverages. Day passes are also available for $25 per day.
LOCATION 8920 Business Park Drive #250 WEBSITE www.duo.works
(Photo: Duo Works)
Createscape Coworking
Opened in 2014, Createscape is an independently-run, coworking office located in a renovated 1950s bread factory in east Austin. The venue offers a variety of budget-friendly memberships including full-time and part-time packages, and discounts are given to artists, students, non-profits, veterans, and for those signing up to longer contracts. Part-time rates start at $120 for a month’s membership, which affords you 5-days-a-month access. There are also day passes which start at $25 for an open desk. All members can make use of a number of amenities including 24/7 access, an on-site grocery store & café, kitchen facilities, patio seating, high-speed WiFi, free guest passes, free parking, and regular membership events.
LOCATION 701 Tillery Street #12 WEBSITE www.createscapework.co
(Photo: Createscape Coworking)
Relay Coworking
Housed within the Center for Social Innovation in East Austin, directly above a popular food hall, Relay offers a shared workspace, dedicated desks, private studios and conference rooms. Designed for individuals and small teams working specifically on social change projects and ventures, the venue has several flexible coworking memberships with options for flex desks, dedicated desks and private studios. Rates start at $325 per month for access to a shared workspace, and all members can benefit from a number of amenities and services such as lounge areas, free parking, bike racks, showers and snacks, as well as a busy programme of community events.
LOCATION 1023 Springdale Road WEBSITE www.relaycoworking.com
(Photo: Relay Coworking)
Impact Hub Austin
Impact Hub has two venues in Austin, both offering coworking, shared workspaces, private offices, and dedicated desks. General coworking rates start at $300 per month, which includes two free guest passes a month, two free hours use of a conference room per month, and access to the HubNet online community. There’s also high-speed WiFi, printers and scanners, a common area, a well-stocked kitchen, free parking, community workshops, yoga & meditation classes, and free Fair Trade coffee, tea and yerba mate.
LOCATION 540 North Lamar Boulevard WEBSITE www.impacthubaustin.com
(Photo: Impact Hub Austin)
