Part of the Silicon Valley tech hub in California, Palo Alto is home to several coworking spaces that foster collaborative and productive work environments.
(Photo: HanaHaus)
With its burgeoning start-up culture, it’s little surprise that Silicon Valley is a hotbed of entrepreneurialism. For the area’s self-starters who aren’t yet ready to hire their own private offices, coworking spaces provide the perfect middle-ground solution. There are several coworking venues dotted in and around the city of Palo Alto, offering friendly and inclusive environments designed to help people thrive personally and professionally. Here are some of the best.
HanaHaus
Situated at the heart of Silicon Valley, HanaHaus is located inside the historic Varsity Theater, a landmark building on University Avenue in Downtown Palo Alto. It houses a modernised, flexible coworking space that seeks to foster innovation, connection, and creativity. The venue operates on a pay-by-the-hour system, with open seating areas starting at $4 per hour, lounges and group tables at $25 per hour, and meeting rooms at $55 per hour. Amenities include printing/scanning equipment, a boutique café, lockers for personal items, onsite parking and monthly community events.
456 University Avenue / www.hanahaus.com
Nordic Innovation House
(Photo: Nordic Innovation House)
Nordic Innovation House is exclusively designed for entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized companies hailing from the Nordic region who are yet to fully establish themselves. They offer members office spaces, meeting rooms and a strongly connected community to help you hit the ground running. Their downtown Palo Alto venue also hosts regular tailored events that invite you to gain market insights, learn practical information and meet like-minded individuals. Membership starts at $7,800 per year, which allows you to use the workspace on a daily basis, as well as gain access to the venue’s conference rooms and event spaces.
470 Ramona Street / www.nordicinnovationhouse.com
MakeX
Since opening its doors back in 2014, MakeX has evolved from its time doubling as a coworking space for nearby companies to become a fully-student-run makerspace. Catering to budding craftspeople of every stripe, the venue offers completely free-of-charge access to a wide range of sophisticated tools and equipment, as well as teen-led mentorship on how to use them. Among the equipment and work spaces available are laser cats, an electronics lab, 2D/3D printers, computers and an art studio.
4000 Middlefield Road www.makexpaloalto.org
WeWork
(Photo: WeWork)
A major player on the global coworking scene, WeWork boasts a large presence in the Silicon Valley area. Located on Park Boulevard, a short walk from Stanford University, their spacious, three-story Palo Alto venue offers a choice of hot desking and dedicated desk membership packages. The dog-friendly space is also home to expansive lounges, showers, a mother’s room, a wellness room, bike storage, car parking, and frequent networking events for members. There are day passes priced at $29 per day, but monthly coworking membership rates are only available on request.
3101 Park Boulevard www.wework.com
Regus
Another world-renowned coworking name, Regus have five Palo Alto venues, each offering flexible work settings which are particularly popular with business professionals who travel frequently. There are individual and team office spaces, virtual offices, meeting rooms and business lounges. Flexible membership plans are tailored to suit each client’s requirements, with options including access to business lounges, coworking desks, and private offices. Coworking membership rates vary by location, but in Palo Alto start at $219 per month for use of their space on Geng Road, set in landscaped gardens with towering redwoods and koi ponds. Contracts are available on a monthly rolling basis, or you can ease your monthly payments by locking into a long-term contract of up to 24 months.
Venues across Palo Alto www.regus.com
Industrious
Situated in Stanford Research Park, among a diverse mix of Fortune 500 and innovative tech companies, Industrious’ Palo Alto coworking space features cutting-edge design, ample natural light, and a central courtyard that creates a tranquil park-like setting. Their ground floor workspace features a choice of open areas, offices and suites with services and amenities to support productive working. Facilities include private conference rooms, phone booths, colour printing, focus and wellness rooms, food and beverages, and regular member events including happy hours and workshops. Open workspace membership starts at $599 per month, including complimentary meeting room hours and guest passes.
3223 Hanover Street / www.industriousoffice.com
CANOPY
Located in a mixed-used development in Palo Alto’s neighbouring city of Menlo Park, Canopy is a curated 24/7 boutique workspace with concierge-style amenities and world-class design. Set amid nearly two acres of outdoor space, amenities include private phone booths, a fitness centre with locker rooms, a golf simulator and entertainment lounge, a bike parking station, underground parking, a dog park, and several dining options. All members also benefit from invites to frequent cultural programming and events. There are several membership tiers, with rates starting at around $275 per month for 60 days a year access, rising to $725 per month for unlimited access.
1300 El Camino Real Suite 100, Menlo Park / www.canopy.space