09 October 2019 08:27:16

Start-ups & Entrepreneurs

New York’s coolest coworking spaces that will launch your empire

Every CEO starts somewhere and you can bet that the next generation of the world’s most successful leaders will have crossed paths with a coworking space. In the global age of entrepreneurship, this could well mean some of the best coworking spaces NYC has to offer.

Designed to be a hub for creativity, entrepreneurship and networking, coworking spaces have taken on a life of their own. These days they’re shaping up to be inspiring workspaces that marry slick interior design with an exuberant collective culture to help foster the greatest of startup ideas.

One of the world’s most recognised cities for creativity and entrepreneurship is of course New York. What it is not known for is space – affordable space at that. If you’re tired of working under a stairwell or from your parents’ home, there is a solution.

These are the best coworking spaces NYC is boasting today, and you need to know about them if you’re serious about building an empire. They’re so aesthetically pleasing and convenient that you may never want to leave the office again.

NeueHouse

One look at this stunning coworking space and you might just want to live here. The interior of this high-ceiling workspace is a result of the building’s former life as an auction house for artists and collectors in the 1930s. That artistic flair is retained in Neuehouse, which rocks leather, timber and brick across most of its surfaces. It’s been extremely popular among creative entrepreneurs and also boasts luxurious extras like cultural programming, artisan-roasted coffee, an impressive food counter, art exhibitions and noise-cancelling headphones. Oh, and happy hour. All of this comes with the standard wi-fi, printing and meeting room access.

Location: 110 E 25th St, New York

The Wing

Men need not apply. Nothing wrong with them, just that this highly Instagrammable coworking space located in New York’s Flatiron District is designed specifically for women to unleash their creative flair. Their coworking space’s tagline says it all: "The belief that women need and deserve a multi-purpose space designed to make their lives easier, and that magic is created when women gather together." Besides the finely curated interior design, there’s also the standard coworking space services alongside a library filled with books written by female authors only. Extra services include on-demand makeup and social gatherings.

Location: 52 Mercer St 5th Floor, New York

Camp David

If industrial chic is your vibe then this is your ultimate workspace. Decked out in polished wood grain, dark leather and exposed concrete, Camp David features completely furnished workstations along with a wi-fi enabled courtyard, fully sound-proofed studios, gyms with showers, conference rooms, a cafe, lounges, a dedicated office manager and concierge. It definitely feels more like a private club than a workspace. Camp David members also get 24/7 access.

Location: 237 36th St, Brooklyn

A/D/O

Looking more like a Scandinavian interior designer’s industrial playground, A/D/O is the brainchild of car company MINI and it’s packed with striking eye candy. Besides the dedicated workspace requisites of fast internet, conference rooms and breakout zones, A/D/O also houses a design store and restaurant to fuel your creative juices. Even the mirrored lighting design is there to endorse cerebral stimulation for hours on end.

Location: 29 Norman Ave, Brooklyn

Spacious

Only in New York can you find a collective that transforms restaurants unused during the day into fully functioning coworking spaces. Spacious was recently bought out by WeWork but its services still remain and are deserving of a mention thanks to its creative approach to filling empty restaurant seats. Given that this is borrowed hospitality space, most locations operate between Monday and Friday from 8:30am to 5:00pm. Their amenities are simple and include wi-fi, coffee, tea and an outlet space in a communal setting. An easy fix for those who need a quick work base without hassle.

Location: 207 5th Ave, Brooklyn (with additional locations)

The Farm SoHo

If it’s in New York’s trendy SoHo district, you can bet it will be different. The Farm merges rustic barnyard aesthetics with modern technology to bring a unique angle to coworking spaces. With plenty of natural wood, a nap room and a hideaway treehouse for ultra-secretive work, The Farm offers a warm, homey reprieve from the typical Scandinavian and NYC warehouse offerings littered across the city – even the most alternative of startups should feel comfortable enough to get creative here. Members can take advantage of The Farm’s 24/7 access, printing services and conference rooms.

Location: 447 Broadway 2nd floor, New York (with additional locations)

Industrious

Industrious is as the name suggests, an industrial-backed coworking space with the fitout to match. That industrial look, however, is warmed up by a smattering of spicy shades and abundant indoor greenery, which makes for an inviting space that pairs nicely with its offerings. Think coffee, pastries, fruit, fast internet, wellness rooms, parties and special member events.

Location: 594 Dean Street, Brooklyn (with additional locations)

Friends Work Here

Bit more intimate, bit homier, bit less flash. Friends Work Here features all the hallmarks of a signature New York loft – massive windows, natural light, exposed brick, raw timber floors – except it’s a welcoming space for the creative community to collaborate. Makers of things such as filmmakers, writers, illustrators and photographers favour this unorthodox and unstructured approach. A neighbouring perk is The Invisible Dog Art Centre and there’s also a swing, which should help you in times where you need to unwind.

Location: 47 Bergen St Floor 3, Brooklyn

Primary

If achieving ultimate efficiency requires you to be in a constant state of zen then Primary is for you. This beautifully appointed space features an abundance of natural greenery and soft lighting to keep you comfortably charged but not completely mellow. Besides the sleek interior design, members are also privy to wellness services – unlimited studio classes cover yoga, meditation and bootcamp every week, all in-house. On the more pragmatic side there’s 24/7 access, reception and concierge services, unlimited printing, sound-proofed conference rooms and private phone booths for personal work. The tranquil workspace also prides itself on the house cafe’s cold-pressed juices and health food selection.

Location: 26 Broadway, New York

Bond Collective

Another standout facility in the design-led coworking space is Bond Collective. Priding itself on hospitality and beautiful interior design, Bond Collective showcases the epitome of luxury and functionality thanks to a long list of features. Custom buildouts, private meeting rooms, phone booths and guest reception are welcome additions to rapid internet, unlimited printing and in-house mail services. Want a touch of luxury? You’ll get showers with towel service, fresh fruit, weekly breakfast, complimentary sparkling water, craft beer and coffee. There’s even a mother’s room and secure bicycle storage.

Location: 115 E 23rd St, New York (with additional locations)

The Brass Factory

Natural lighting, generous space and a premium feel forms the backbone of The Brass Factory. The name itself is a nod to the building’s former life as, you guessed it, a brass factory. At over 22,000 square feet it’s also one of the larger spaces in the Brooklyn area. Membership is also super simple with a flat fee for private offices (fully furnished), fixed desks, floating desks and ten casual passes with no expiry date. Amenities include seven conference rooms, communal lounges and kitchens, mail handling services, printing, wi-fi, coffee and snacks, secure indoor bike storage and in-house maintenance staff. They also once hosted a Wyclef Jean private concert – bonus coolness factor right there.

Location: 185 Wythe Ave 2nd Floor, Brooklyn

Paragraph NY

If the name didn’t give it away, then the cosy lounge interior should. Paragraph NY is a dedicated coworking space for writers from all walks of life. The basics of a coworking space are all there but what sets Paragraph NY apart is its ambience, which aims to eradicate every iota of writer’s block. That means complete quietness like the libraries of yesteryear. No devices, no phones ringing, no chit chat. If it’s ever too quiet, the space has white noise machines. Beyond these quirks, members will find comfortable desks and lounges, unlimited coffee and tea, rapid wi-fi, free printing, 24/7 access, books to inspire and a hardcore community of writers to bounce storylines off. Membership is also quite affordable.

Location: 35 W 14th St #3, New York (with additional locations)

Ignitia

Ranked among some of the top coworking spaces in New York, Ignitia is known for turning humble office spaces into works of art. Their spaces are designed by award-winning names who make it their duty to merge beauty and functionality. State of the art conference rooms, stunning private offices, high speed internet, four in-house restaurants by Bergn and a beer hall makes this one of the city’s most sought after spaces – whether you’re after a communal spot, an individual desk or private office. There are also plenty of social events and networking opportunities. It sets one of the highest standards when it comes to the best coworking spaces New York has on offer.

Location: 1002 Dean Street, Brooklyn

Work Heights

When a coworking space is decked out with Herman Miller chairs you know it’s going to be easy on the eyes, and your back. Work Heights is a Scandinavian-lit coworking space that tears up the daily and hourly passes to ensure a better chance of networking for members. The basics here include rapid internet and in-house cleaning services. There’s 24/7 access for most memberships and those looking for a place to unwind can hit the lounge spaces or outdoor garden. In the realm of freebies, all members get lockers, mail service, printing, coffee, tea and snacks.

Location: 650 Franklin Ave, Brooklyn (with additional locations)

Kongo

You’re not in New York unless you’re working out of a loft perched above the city’s streetscape. Kongo was specifically designed to be a professional and relaxed workspace for those in the media and creative fields. The clean yet laidback vibe makes it a professional yet modern place to bring clients whilst nurturing productivity. This coworking space offers everything from open space desks to conference rooms with both wi-fi and cabled internet for a seamless connection to customers 24 hours a day. Members can choose setups from a single desk to a private room. Other amenities include a lounge, bar, kitchen, ping-pong table and much more. Just bring your own computer and you’re ready to work.

Location: 68 Jay Street (Dumbo), Brooklyn

Blender Workspace

As one of the newer coworking spaces to land in New York City, Blender Workspace caters to the most discerning entrepreneur or startup professional with a truly luxurious fit out which even includes a dress code. Since 2017 Blender has prided itself on beautiful aesthetics and is now an award-winning luxury workspace taking up the entire 8th floor of a building in Madison Square Park. For the more pragmatic, there's a full-service cafe alongside an impressive selection of gourmet specialties like soups, salads, panini and drinks. Furniture is naturally Danish-sourced for sophistication.

Location: 135 Madison Avenue, 8th floor, New York

Space 530

At first glance the polished interior of this two-level coworking space appears to hail from Downtown NYC. High ceilings, gleaming white walls, glass dividers, polished concrete, black leather and refined wood seats – it's all there until you realise you're actually sitting in buzzing Midtown Manhattan. Convenience without compromise is the charm of Space530, a coworking space which offers various floor plans for startups and businesses of all sizes and stages. The space offers members private offices, team suites, showroom spaces, cool designer breakout spaces and dedicated meeting rooms designed to inspire creativity and discussion. Their main meeting room is a money vault complete with steel reinforced entrance. Beyond this their services include private phone booths, onsite support staff, high-speed Wi-Fi, stocked kitchens, daily cleaning, printing services and 24/7 access.

Location: 530 7th Ave, New York

WeWork

You can’t mention the best coworking spaces in New York without hearing about WeWork. As the pioneers of the trendy coworking space phenomenon, WeWork is a global powerplayer today with over 50 locations in New York alone. We’re not going to ignore the elephant in the room though. At the time of writing, WeWork is going through some highly publicised financial and management issues. The board is attempting to resolve them – in the meantime, their services continue to operate as normal, so we’ve included them in this list.

WeWork’s suite of services has long been the standard for coworking spaces, with their New York locations all situated close to major subway lines, commercial districts and shops. Beyond that, WeWork members receive 24/7 access to the space along with free coffee, fruit-infused water, craft on draft, fast internet, office supplies, daily cleaning and more. For an additional fee, there are services like mailing and conference room booking. A standout feature is that you can work in any of WeWork’s spaces across the city as long as there’s a hot desk. It’s the ultimate tool for networking.

Location: 28-07 Jackson Ave, Long Island City (with additional locations)