By Nitasha Tiku 11/04/11 1:23pm

Coworking

Too many techies, not enough desk.

Is WeWork About to Open the Largest CoWorking Space IN THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD?

Leave it to Observer friend and alum Laura Kusisto to rectify the cold shoulder The Wall Street Journal has been turning toward Silicon Alley’s very own co-working movement with some big news, potentially of the world historical variety.

WeWork has apparently locked down 74,000 sq. ft. on 175 Varick Street near the Holland Tunnel to give techie types a shared space away from home.  It boasts a ridonkulous 700 desks and all the proper startup accountrement: scooters, pool tables, and video games.  Read More

By Nitasha Tiku 10/04/11 9:45am

Coworking

S'okay, we love you, WeWork!

Wall Street Journal Has No Love For New York Co-Working Spaces?

Co-working, as the Journal is here to tell you, isn’t just for Valley types anymore. “Besides the cost advantages, entrepreneurs in technology and other fields say they like co-working spaces because their open floor plans boost collaboration, offer more flexibility on leases and can even help land investors.” You don’t say!

But despite this rising tech tide springing up shared workspaces around the country, the article only name checks two locations outside California and only one from New York’s growing pool: General Assembly, natch. Read More

By Guest Post 9/27/11 6:41am

First Hand Advice

SeatGeek's Space at General Assembly, image by Dan Frommer

When Is It Time to ‘Graduate’ From Co-Working to Your Own Office??

This is a guest post from SeatGeek co-founder Russell D’Souza.

Prior to moving offices in early June, SeatGeek worked first out of Soho Haven (now Projective Space) and then at General Assembly, two shared office spaces in New York. In the early days of SeatGeek, shared office space was a complete no-brainer, but what was much less clear was when to “graduate” to our own office space. Since many startups have been asking us about this of late, I thought we’d break down some of the criteria we evaluated when making this decision. Read More

By Nitasha Tiku 6/28/11 3:31pm

Start-up Slumber Parties

This could be your living room.

Co-Working Is So 2010, Man. In Williamsburg, Start-Ups Move Onto Co-Living

#StartupLife co-founders Steven Liu and Louie Torrellas have already collected $1,040 (and counting!) towards their $10,000 campaign to create an affordable co-living space for start-ups in East Williamsburg. They’re certainly in the right neighborhood for such a collegiate project. McKibbin Lofts, just two blocks away, is so popular with artsy post-grads that it’s often referred to as a dorm. Okay fine, maybe it’s more like that “filthy hipster dorm,” but still.

Perhaps it was that underground ethos that prompted the two co-founders to eschew Kickstarter for their fund-raising campaign and instead opt to advertise on the more DIY-focused San Francisco-based IndieGoGo.

Although you can’t throw a Nexus S1 in parts of the city without hitting a coworking spaces, that still leaves future Dennis Crowleys and Kevin Ryans to fend for themselves after hours. Liu’s plan for a start-up alternative involves “lower-than-market rent, a close-knit start-up community, and a strong network of experienced mentors”–accessible from bunkbeds, private bedrooms, or suites in 20 separate apartment units. Bunkbeds go for under $300/month, but come with access to the courtyard and rooftop. “All you need is a suitcase and a dream.” (Oh, and at least $550/month if you don’t want to become too familiar with your co-founder’s sleepwear.) Read More

By Ben Popper 12/14/10 11:30am

Coworking

You can't borrow a stapler over the net.

How Much Does CoWorking Really Cost?

Coworking is a growing trend among New York’s freelancers, especially for the tech set. Instead of plugging away in their pajamas or snagging a spot at the wi-fi cafe, coworker prefer a more organized, office atmosphere.

But how much does it really save, or cost, to rent a desk in this kind of co-working space? Read More