Inside the World's Coolest New Co-Working Spaces
The rage for co-working has meant a boom in office hives like The Yard and WeWork — and a rise in indie spaces upping the ante on design, food and fringes. Free snacks? So last month. The coolest new co-working spaces let you work in an architectural landmark, detox with an Xbox, hobnob with indie-rock royalty or munch artisan pastries as you teleconference. Here are four co-working spaces to check out next time you’re on the road.
1. Northspace, Toronto
Location: Downsview Park, a quick subway or Uber ride north from Toronto’s jam-packed — and expensive — downtown core. 21 Kodiak Crescent #200, North York, Ontario.
Why it’s different: Collaboration between tenants was Noam Hazan’s mission when he designed Northspace; more than $300,000 in business has been generated through onsite connections. Bonus: razor-sharp design, free snacks, limitless Tim Horton’s coffee... and an Xbox.
How it works: No contract needed. A day pass runs $20 Canadian dollars (~$15). Hazan plans to open three more Northspaces this year, including one in Montreal.
Why you should go: Northspace’s claim to fame is its Scotch room. Book this $15-a-day meeting space, with its wall sconces of vintage wine boxes, and you’ll enjoy single-malt Scotches on the house.
2. Pourt, New York City
Location: Cooper Square, an ideal spot above Soho, beside the East Village, and just far enough from Midtown. 35 Cooper Square, New York City.
Why it’s different: Founders Matt Tervooren and Mike Kruszewski combined the best of a café and workspace — think fiberoptic internet, ultra-comfortable chairs and personal outlets. Bonus: custom desks, Stickbulb light fixtures, a top-end La Marzocco espresso machine and plenty of local art.
How it works: Pourt’s perfect for commitment-phobes — it’s just $7 per hour for a desk here and an extra $2.99 an hour gets you bottomless coffee or tea. Every sixth hour is free, and a five-seat conference room — with flatscreen TV for teleconferences — will run you $25 an hour. No annual contract, or even monthly membership needed.
Why you should go: Pourt's got possibly some of the best food-and-beverage offerings of any Big Apple co-working space — think Intelligentsia coffee, Colson Patisserie croissants, Tompkins Square bagels and sandwiches like chicken breast and kale on Amy’s Bread.
3. Fosbury & Sons, Antwerp
Location: Ground floor of WATT Tower, a 1958 building by legendary modernist architect Léon Stynen. Mechelsesteenweg 271, Antwerp, Belgium.
Why it’s different: This might be the world’s best-designed co-working space. “We told our architects, Going East, we wanted a space where people just love to come, every single day," said founder Stijn Geeraets. "That atmosphere is accomplished by the color of light, which is warm light, the materializing of the walls with a rough texture, steel windows, warm wood, greenery, high ceilings and big windows.”
How it works: Memberships are tiered and priced fairly: Guest, €15 (~$16) per month, ideal for those who refer to Starbucks as their second home; Nomad, €195 (~$213) for 10 days, so you can pop in anytime; and Resident, €295 (~$322) per month.
Why you should go: Coffeelabs, an Antwerp destination on its own, is housed here. Along with superb espresso drinks and fresh-squeezed juices, its irresistible eat-it-clean plates include lush avocado toast, just-sweet-enough homemade granola and house-made brownies, cherry crumbles and oat-date bars.
4. Meanwhile Space, London
Locations: Walthamstow, a white-hot East End enclave at the end of the Victoria Tube line. 88-90 Hatton Garden, London.
Why it’s different: It’s the newest nonprofit “community interest center” from Meanwhile Space, which rejuvenates idle buildings in partnership with local governments. Below-market rents have attracted an indie A-list of tenants: folk-music label From Here, Depeche Mode sound engineer Jimmy Robertson, filmmaker Orlando Capitanio and GoFundMe’s UK operations.
How it works: Co-working desks go for £230 (about $296) per month. While the founders ask for two weeks notice before a contract ends, co-founder Sean Urquhart also says they're very flexible.
Why you should go: A former city-council building, the 66,000-square-foot space is awe-inspiring — London starchitects Gort Scott have refitted it industrial-style, with all steel frames and exposed pipes. Meanwhile Space fills the huge space with groovy tenants like a cafe/bakery, bespoke Italian cycle shop and a 'pre-loved' women's clothing store. “The interior has the feel of a Berlin post-Bauhaus café,” said Urquhart.
What co-working situations have you tried? Let us know in the comments, below.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.