Three New Wave Coworking Spaces Around Town
- Sabrina Martinez
- Jun 1, 2019
- 2 min read
Compare the perks, offerings, and fees of The Riveter, The Commune, and Soma Vida.
In March, WeWork announced plans to open a 65,000-square-foot coworking facility inside South by Southwest’s new corporate headquarters downtown, the company’s sixth Austin-area location. Not that the news should have come as a surprise, considering that Austin has become a coworking hub, ranking fourth in the country, just behind Silicon Valley.
In the current freelance economy, where designated offices are becoming a thing of the past, these rented spaces are a booming business, providing collaborative environments equipped with the tools for new ideas. Three female-owned alternatives to the biggest names have recently emerged, targeting creatives along with well-heeled professionals.
Below, a handy cheat sheet to see which one might be right for you.
101 E. North Loop Blvd.
About
Lauren Cunningham couldn’t find an office situation that best suited her needs as a graphic designer, so she decided to create her own, transforming an abandoned, graffiti-covered building on North Loop Boulevard into an inviting space for creatives. Opened on April 22, The Commune now hosts an array of artists, from jewelry makers and painters to woodworkers and graphic designers.
Membership Fee
Day passes, $30. Monthly passes, $350. Dedicated desk spaces with 24/7 access, $475. Private studios, $875-$1,200/monthly.
What’s Offered
Community and dedicated desk spaces; private studios; conference rooms; large computer monitors; access to photo studio, print station, scanners, private phone booths, lockers, easels, and more.
Perks
Access to design resource library; events and workshops; a mailing address; free Wi-Fi; event space; a selection of coffees and snacks; 10 percent discount for members living within a two-mile radius.
1145 W. Fifth St.
About
“If I could describe my business in one word, it would be ‘supportive,’” says The Riveter founder, Amy Nelson, who recently opened this office space ideal for professionals, small business owners, and working mothers.
Membership Fee
Floating desk space, $99 to $375/monthly. Dedicated desk space, $450/monthly. Office space starting at $750/monthly. Community membership starting at $59/monthly.
What’s Offered
Floating and dedicated desk spaces; mother’s rooms for nursing; mail service; private phone booths; conference room; and private office spaces that fit up to 13 people.
Perks
Members enjoy professional programming; HD projectors; 24-hour access; free Wi-Fi; meditation rooms; outdoor decks; events and workshops.
2324 E. Cesar Chavez St.
About
In 2008, Laura Shook Guzman became the first woman to launch a co-working space in Austin. Along with partner Sonya Stattmann, the duo’s bright teal, two-story work-space targets wellness entrepreneurs, independent yoga instructors, therapists, and healing coaches.
Membership Fee
Open community desk spaces starting at $95/monthly. Day passes, $25. Private offices starting at $25 an hour; studios, $40-$60 an hour.
What’s Offered
Yoga classes; open community desk spaces; furnished private offices; small and large studios; conference room; and open workshop space.
Perks
Membership includes on-site wellness services; fiber optic wireless internet; wireless printer with copy, scanner, and fax; a selection of organic coffees and teas.
This article was published in the June issue of Austin Monthly Magazine June 1, 2019.
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