From its central business district to its hip and happening neighbourhoods, Chicago is home to a wide number of coworking spaces that cater to the city’s transient workforce.
(Photo: Second Shift)
Renowned for its striking architecture, Chicago is one of the jewels of the American Midwest. Numerous world class museums provide plenty of cultural interest, while a buzzing bar scene offers no-end of nocturnal fun. For those who work remotely in the city, there are several coworking venues where communal desks and private offices are available for anything from a few hours a week to full-time use. We’ve picked out 10 of the best below.
Second Shift
Located in Logan Square, Second Shift is a come-as-you-are-space for remote workers to gather together and work alongside their neighbours. Members can choose from individual desks, group tables, or quiet dedicated seating. Coworkers enjoy productivity-boosting amenities like gourmet coffee, tea, phone booths, extra monitors, free printing and more. As a community focused space they offer many opportunities to get to know other members of the community. Happy Hours, lunches, movie night, craft events, and Waffle Wednesday are just a few of the social events that take place each week. Memberships at the space are all month-to-month and super flexible, as they understand that work-life balance is important. Members are free to switch up their membership to fit their needs and goals. Coworking starts at $85 a month allowing for once a week access from 6am– 10pm. With a Day Office pass you’ll be given an office for the day so that you have a space to take calls, hold meetings, brainstorm, or meet with clients for $45. Full time office leases are available as well.
3432 West Diversey Avenue Floor 2 / www.secondshiftchicago.com
Nimbler
Located on the top floor of a historic redbrick building on Chicago’s vibrant North Wabash Avenue, Number boast a modern serviced, industrial loft office with gorgeous views of the city. Their hybrid work space options are designed to allow members to work wherever they’d like, the way that better fit their needs, while also having dedicated spaces for in-person meetings and relaxing. Pricing starts at $199 per month for flex desk membership, which allows you access to the open seating area as well as services and amenities including free coffee/tea, lounges, meeting and conference rooms, invites to professional and social events, bike and scooter parking, and gaming rooms. Day passes are $30 per day.
444 North Wabash Avenue / www.nimbler-spaces.com
Regus
A world-renowned coworking operator, Regus have more than 20 venues dotted across Chicago. Many of them boast dedicated business lounges, making them popular with business travellers requiring somewhere to host on-site meetings, and there are custom Business Plan memberships that include unlimited access to any Regus business lounge. All Regus venues also offer open-plan spaces or shared offices, with hotdesking prices varying by location, but in Chicago start at €179 per month for full-time of their North Green Street space. All membership packages include access to amenities and facilities including printers, scanners and photocopiers, plus invites to regular networking and community events. Contracts are available on a monthly rolling basis, or you can ease your monthly payments by locking into a long-term contract up to 24 months.
Venues across Chicago / www.regus.com
Platform
(Photo: Platform)
Platform Coworking was founded in 2008 in the beautiful Ravenswood neighbourhood, with a second spacious location now in Wicker Park. They pride themselves on their diverse and inclusive community and laid-back atmosphere, which is conducive to a productive work environment. On-site services and amenities across the spaces include printing, a conference room, an outdoor patio, and free teas/coffees. Pricing for 24/7 access starts at $225 per month for a flex desk monthly membership, which includes unlimited usage at any unassigned seat. They also offer day passes for $25-30 per day. Additional perks are their relationships with local businesses that offer exclusive discounts to members, and their member events. They hold monthly educational events that explore career-related and timely topics, along with social holiday/seasonal themed events.
Two venues in Chicago / www.platformcoworking.com
Industrious Office
(Photo: Industrious Office)
With venues across the city, Industrious Office’s spaces include their prestigious River North location, bordering the upscale Magnificent Mile at the heart of the city’s creative and entertainment scenes. The space itself is housed within a large 1950’s conversion spanning multiple floors. In terms of pricing, this varies by location, but open workspace membership starts at $299 at one of their spaces. Amenities include ultra-fast internet, unlimited free printing, phone booths, wellness rooms, and lounge areas. There are also regular member events, including curated speaker panels and team offsites, as well as lively parties.
Venues cross Chicago / www.industriousoffice.com
Spaces
Spaces have a total of four fully serviced coworking venues scattered across Chicago. Whether you’re mind-mapping, meeting, collaborating or crunching numbers, their designer desks, tables, sofas, super-fast WiFi and informal meeting areas provide the perfect place for every professional need. So even if you want a quiet desk Monday to finalise the details of your plan, a large table to coordinate with your team, a lunch table to meet a new client, and a cosy coffee corner the rest of the week to vet potential candidates, Spaces has everything you’ll require. Moreover, their event calendar is filled with inspirational events to help you grow your network. Full-time coworking rates are $119 per month at all four venues.
Venues across Chicago / www.spacesworks.com
Workbox Gold Coast
(Photo: Workbox Gold Coast)
A home for innovative professionals and companies, Workbox connect their members to a comprehensive network of resources tailored to support your professional needs. They Chicago venues offer private office, coworking, meeting space, and event solutions designed to help you navigate the rapidly changing workplace environment. Hotdesking starts at $250 per month for a Floating Membership, which includes 24/7 access to any Workbox venue. Fixed desk membership starts at $500 per month and there are also day passes for $35 per day – although only Monday-Friday. All members gain access to super-fast WiFi, private conference rooms, a wellness room, phone booths, bike storage, bottomless craft coffee/tea, and draft/bottled beer, as well as invites to monthly breakfasts and happy hours, and regular community and networking events.
Venues across Chicago / www.workboxcompany.com