Freelance workers and self-starters seeking a communal workspace in Manhattan are spoilt for choice, with a huge number of coworking venues dotted across the iconic NYC borough.
(Photo: Leonardo Mascaro)
As the nature of work patterns has shifted towards remote working, the stereotype of flat-white drinking, MacBook Air-wielding hipsters huddled in cafes and coffee shops has proven 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 almost every major city. In Manhattan, you can barely walk more than a few hundred metres before encountering a co-working space – and with such a huge choice available, finding the right one for you can be a tricky task. We’ve picked our favourite 5 below.
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.
1412 Broadway / www.workvillenyc.com
Blender Workspace
(Photo: 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.
135 Madison Avenue / www.blenderworkspace.com
Regus
Regus have over 30 coworking spaces sprinkled across Manhattan, each offering a choice of open-plan working and shared offices. Coworking rates vary by location, but start at $129 per month for 5 days a month hotdesking access, rising to $279 per month for unlimited access. There are also day passes available for rates of $59 per day or above. Alternatively, for $150 per month you can get unlimited drop-in access to any of Regus’s business lounges, anywhere in the world. All membership packages include access to facilities such as printers, scanners and photocopiers, plus invites to networking and community events.
Venues across Manhattan / www.regus.com
The Commons
(Photo: 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 would be remiss not to mention the venue’s dedicated therapy room, which provides comfortable and quiet surroundings for psychotherapy sessions led by licensed professionals.
157 East 86th Street / www.commonsnyc.com
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 sessions, a kitchen with fridges and a microwave, a coffee machine and water purification.
447 Broadway / www.thefarmsoho.com