Oakland has in recent years benefited from the arrival of San Francisco’s youthful diaspora lured here by the cheaper cost of living – and also the proliferation of coworking spaces found across the city.
(Pboto: Temescal Works)
Slowly but surely, Oakland has been escaping its rough and ready reputation and is now a popular place to live for large numbers of Californians attracted by the city’s relative affordability compared with neighbouring San Francisco. And it is also doing its best to attract freelancers, self-starters and entrepreneurs by opening several coworking spaces across the city. Here are five of the best.
Temescal Works
Situated in a beautifully renovated industrial warehouse in the eponymous district of Temescal, home to eclectic eateries, craft breweries, and a thriving arts scene, this coworking space was founded by local residents with deep roots in the neighbourhood’s community. Featuring all the modern amenities a small business or freelancer might require but with a local purpose and personality, the venue is made distinctive by multiple skylights, exposed brick and timber, and a 25′ high atrium. Hot desking rates start at $295 per month, and there are also day passes for $30 per day. Services and facilities include fast internet, onsite staff, meeting rooms, privacy pods, kitchen, cleaning services and 24/7 access if you need it.
490 43rd Street (Nearest metro: MacArthur) / www.temescal Works
East Bay Community Space
An affordable work space catering for artists, activists, writers, entrepreneurs, and telecommuters looking for a comfortable and inclusive place to work, meet and collaborate, East Bay Community Space offers a wide range of access options as well as a busy programme of events. Pricing ranges from $40 to $120 for 5 all-day passes and $120 to $360 for unlimited access. There are also passes that can be bought by the hour, starting at $5 for 3 hour’s access. The venue also has several spaces for both professional and recreational events, including a large workshop, a meeting room, a craft & hobby area, a dance hall, a sauna, and a café. Regular activities include movie screenings, yoga and meditation classes and night-time parties.
5447 Telegraph Avenue (Nearest metro: Rockridge) / www.eastbaycommunityspace.org
BIG
A coworking space specifically for those working in the architecture, engineering and construction industries, BIG is offers access to hands-on equipment and amenities such as drafting stations, a model-making room, layout space, plotter service, and a design library staffed by a professional librarian. Featuring a mix of drop-in spaces and dedicated desks, pricing starts at $150 per month for 5-day passes and rises to $350 per month for unlimited weekday access. There are also individual half-day ($18) and full-day passes ($35).
1423 Broadway (Nearest metro: 19th Street) / www.bigoakland.space
The Port Workspaces
(Photo: The Port Workspaces)
With three venues dotted across the city, The Port Workspaces offer flexible work space for individuals and teams. Whether you’re a start-up, non-profit, established business, solopreneur or remote employee, The Port Workspaces provides creative spaces to help you thrive. Flexible month-to-month, membership packages start at $125 per month for hot-desking which provides access to all three Oakland spaces, as well as use of the outdoor terrace, quiet room or a standing desk. Add-ons available for any membership includes evening and weekend access, lockers/storage and bike parking.
Kaiser Mall, 344 20th Street; 317 Washington (Nearest metro: 19th Street), Jack London Square (Nearest metro: Oakland Jack London Square); and 101 Broadway, Jack London Square (Nearest metro: Oakland Jack London Square) / www.portworkspaces.com
Evolve
An entrepreneurial coworking community, Evolve offers a wide range of flexible membership packages to suit all kinds of budgets, preferences and needs. Prices start at $99 per month for 25 hours’ of monthly midweek hot-desking access, rising to $415 per month for unlimited access to the space. Additionally, the venue also provides access to an extensive support network that’s been designed to help you and your business grow, from the sharing of transformative and collaborative ideas to informative workshops and regular networking events to classes run by business experts.
2323 Broadway (Nearest metro: 19th Street) / www.evolveoakland.spaces.com