Vancouver has become home to a growing number of coworking spaces in recent years, enabling solo workers and small companies to share desk space in communal and collaborative settings.
(Photo: iQ Offices)
Laying in the Lower Mainland region of British Columbia in in western Canada, Vancouver is a major urban metropolis and one of North America’s most important commercial and business hubs. As part of its efforts to keep pace with global changes in working trends, the city has also kept itself at the vanguard of the coworking scene. If you’re planning to spend time in Vancouver and would like to use a coworking space during your stay, we’ve picked out 10 of the best across the city.
iQ Offices
IQ Offices are committed to creating environments where your best work can happen, distraction-free. Towering above the most recognised intersection in the city’s central business district, and spanning the 21st and 24th floors, their Vancouver coworking space affords stunning 360-degree skyline views. The space features exposed concrete floors, floor to ceiling glass and privacy screening for a contemporary and minimalist aesthetic. On-site amenities include a fitness room, well-equipped kitchens, private booths, meeting rooms, and lounge areas with television and couches. All members also gain access to unlimited gourmet coffee, organic tea, still/sparkling filtered water taps, individually packaged snacks, and weekly happy hours. Coworking rates are available on request.
1055 West Georgia Street / www.iqoffices.com
The Network Hub
(Photo: The Network Hub)
Delivering coworking spaces to entrepreneurs, startups and small businesses in Vancouver since 2006, The Network Hub’s downtown venue offers maximum flexibility designed to allow teams to shrink or grow as they require. On-site services and amenities include high-speed internet connectivity and use of printing & scanning equipment. Membership packages start at CA$325 per month, rising to CA$450 per month for unlimited 24/7 access to a dedicated desk. There are also drop-in passes priced at $5 per hour.
422 Richards Street #170 / www.thenetworkhub.ca
Werklab
(Photo: Werklab / Courtesy Britney Gill Photography)
Located in Strathcona, Vancouver’s oldest residential neighbourhood, Werklab was founded with the aim of shifting the narrative of traditional workplace culture and provide a solution to support a more optimized state of wellbeing. Hotdesking membership starts at $165 per month for 5 days a month access and allows members to choose from any open common space seat on either of the venue’s floors. Unlimited hotdesking is priced from CA$350 per month and full-time use of stationed desks start at $450 per month. Month to month memberships, as well as 6 months and 12 months, are all available, and you can save money by locking in for longer periods. All members also get use of super-fast WiFi, a change room and beauty bar, private phone booths, black & white printing, free coffee/tea, a lunch delivery service, secure bike storage, and community programming.
1275 Venables Street #290 / www.werklab.com
Thrive
(Photo: Thrive)
A new business haven in Downtown Vancouver, located at the bustling corner of Granville and Pender Street, Thrive’s coworking space has been the talk of the town since opening its doors. With sun-kissed interiors, thanks to great natural light, you’ll feel energised and motivated as soon as you step in. Choose from hot desks for those on-the-go, with rates starting at CA$349 or dedicated desks, at CA$449 that allow you to set up your workspace just how you like it. There are also day passes priced at CA$39. Craving a fresh breeze while brainstorming? Open up one of the operable windows and let creativity flow. And let’s not forget the location. Situated in one of Vancouver’s most vibrant neighbourhoods, you’ll find everything from trendy coffee shops to world-class dining just a stone’s throw away.
717 West Pender Street 3rd Floor / www.thrivecowork.ca
L’Atelier
(Photo: L’Atelier)
Housed in a heritage building in Vancouver’s vibrant Gastown neighbourhood, L’Atelier is a boutique, owner-operated coworking space that prides itself on its personalised customer service approach. Nurturing a happy atmosphere with good lightening and cheerful pops of colour, everything from the interior design to how they operate is linked to the core value of making work feel better. Hot desking rates start at CA$195 per month for 60 hours’ access per month and rise to CA$295 for unlimited access. Day passes are CA$35 per day. All members can also attend regular community events.
319 West Hastings Street / www.ateliervancouver.com
MakerLabs
Spread across 42,000 square feet of workshops, studios and common areas, MakerLabs is a communal space created specifically for professional artisans and craft makers of every kind . The venue features a wide range of technical spaces and equipment including a wood shop, metal shop, CNC router table, laser cutters, sewing machines, and an electronics area. Collaboration and an exchange of knowledge are encouraged, while dedicated areas for hanging out and relaxing add to the sociable, inclusive vibe. Membership prices start at CA$190 per month, including 7 days-a-week access, as well as discounts on services, classes, and materials, and rise to CA$350 per month for 24/7 access.
780 East Cordova Street / www.makerlabs.com
HiVE
Founded in 2011, HiVE claims to be Vancouver’s longest standing coworking space that operates as a non-profit society. By using a shared space to cowork, host events and build community, it strives to support and amplify the social impact sector in a way that enables its members and partners to thrive. Entrepreneurs, creatives, activists, professionals and techies can all be found here. Hot desking packages starts at CA$58 for 8 hours’ access per month, and rises to CA$386 for unlimited access, and there’s also a one-time set-up fee of CA$100. Memberships are month-to-month, with no longer term commitment required. All membership tiers also include a certain number of meeting room use. On-site facilities include a kitchen and lounge area, unlimited tea/coffee, indoor bike storage, printing & copying equipment, and regular workshops and community events.
210-128 West Hastings Street / www.hivevancouver.com
Regus
Regus have multiple venues dotted across Vancouver. 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 prices varying by location. In Vancouver, rates start at CA$309 per month for full-time use of their venue in the downtown district of Coal Harbour. 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 Vancouver / www.regus.com
CubeCreative
(Photo: CubeCreative)
Laying at the very southern end of the Cambie Street Bridge, and within brisk walking distance of downtown, CubeCreative is a purpose-built shared urban workspace for independent creatives and design professionals. The venue offers highly flexible lease terms, with shared desk membership priced at CA$250 per month. All paid-up members gain 24/7 access to amenities including a lounge area, high-speed internet, a showroom, and a resource centre.
363 West 6th Avenue / www.cube-creative.ca
VanCubers
Situated in the heart of downtown Vancouver, VanCubers is a coworking space for entrepreneurs and local businesses. The venue is designed to minimise sound, so you can focus and get your job done, and there are also high ceilings, windows all around with lots of natural light, and comfy chairs with modern white desks. Hot desking membership is priced at CA$450 per month with unlimited access, or for CA$550 per month you get a fully equipped dedicated Smart Hot Desk complete with a 24″ monitor, PC/Mac connectors, keyboard and mouse. Day passes are available for CA$35 per day, too. All members also have access to printing/scanning, full kitchen facilities, and all day free tea & coffee.
997 Seymour Street #250 / www.vancubers.com