Coworking has long been a needed resource for entrepreneurs, creatives and freelancers. But with the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, that flexible space has also become a solution for those desperate for a change of pace in remote or hybrid work.
Flexibility in working patterns has become a "must have" for employees, according to research by commercial real estate services company Jones Lang LaSalle. That report, released in June, says 63% of the workforce wants to work in a hybrid style in the future, having the ability to switch between different places of work: home, office and third-party places.
Fortunately, there's plenty of coworking communities in Kentucky's two largest cities, Louisville and Lexington. Here's a breakdown.
31e | Location: 1415 Bardstown Road, Louisville. Cost: Reserved desk spaces starts at $250 per month, and private offices start at $600 per month. Amenities: 24-hour, key-fob access, all utilities, high-speed internet, conference room access, cafe/break-room area, mailbox, month-to-month membership agreement and no deposit. From its website: "31e is an environment that stimulates out-of-the-box thinking, every day. It allows for innovation, ideation, and cross-pollination. By having an open environment with lots of room to collaborate and create, you now have a space that absolutely fosters creativity."
Awesome Inc. | Location: 348 E. Main St., Lexington. Cost: $70 for virtual members and $199 per month for open-desk members. Prices not available for private office space. Amenities: Secure wifi, gigabit internet, conference and meeting rooms, downtown mailing address, podcasting room, 3D printer, networking events and access to a break room and kitchen. From its website: "We exist to create and grow high tech startups. We do this by hosting community events, leading technology education courses, and offering a shared workspace environment."
BaseHere | Locations: 110 W. Vine St., Lexington (Base110); 163 E. Main St., Lexington (Base163); and 249 E. Main St., Lexington (Base249). Cost: $150 per month for single location or $199 per month for multi-location access, $325 per month for dedicated desks and private offices start at $425 per month. Amenities: Day access for all members, 24/7 access for dedicated desk and private office members, coffee and beverage bar, high-speed internet, on-site parking, community events. From its website: "We’ll celebrate your wins, listen when things don’t go as planned and share a drink with you for either occasion. We are building a diverse and inclusive community to welcome and support you in your startup and business journey."
(c)space | Location: 1640 Lyndon Farm Court, Suite 108, Louisville. Cost: Individual memberships are $80 per month, and dedicated workspaces start at $325 per month. Amenities: Free parking, kitchenette, meeting space, notary services, video conferencing, visitor reception, wireless network and free coffee and snacks. From its website: "(c)space was created to offer nonprofit organizations and community-minded businesses and professionals, a well-appointed, affordable and flexible, turn-key office solution."
CO11AB | Location: 323 W. Main St., Louisville. Cost: "Hot Spots" start at $250 per month, dedicated desks start at $450 per month and fully-furnished offices start at $750 per month. Amenities: Free wifi, private phone booths, fee-based huddle and conference rooms, mail services, kitchen and bar. From its website: "CO11AB features a modern urban design offering our users the opportunity to escape working from home. Where you can rent what you need at your convenience."
Elevate at Bolt + Tie | Location: 1400 Main St., Clarksville, Indiana. Cost: Free coworking, office suites start at $399. Amenities: Private parking lot, keyless entry, business-grade wifi, conference rooms, kitchen, on-site management and individual mailboxes. From its website: "With a view of the Louisville skyline, Bolt + Tie is nestled along the river in the town of Clarksville. Fueled by entrepreneurial spirit, it is the first live-work community of its kind in Southern Indiana."
Hopewell | Location: 731 Brent St., Suite 201, Louisville. Cost: Not available online. Amenities: State-of-the-art tech, 11 meeting rooms and 20 different types of workspaces. From its website: "Hopewell is an affordable membership-based working club. Plan large offsite meetings, coffee chats, or just drop in for the day to get some focused work done."
iHub | Location: 204 S. Floyd St., Louisville. Cost: Not available online. Amenities: Powered desks, conference rooms, complimentary printing, parking and open workspace areas. From its website: "iHub is an ideal Downtown Louisville work space, not far from the popular NuLu area. It is perfect for growing your company, cultivating your business and holding events."
Launch Louisville | Location: 816 E. Broadway St., Louisville. Cost: Memberships start at $100 per month for 24/7 use of workspace, meeting rooms and studios and go up to $300 per month for semi-private offices. Amenities: Quiet space, Covid-19 compliant and regulated, studio space by appointment, community of business owners and meeting space. From its website: "Launch Louisville is a member managed non-profit entrepreneurial community, providing affordable shared workspace and a platform to launch your dream."
Lodgic | Location: 552 E. Market St., Louisville. Cost: Open coworking starts at $300 per month, dedicated desks start at $450 per month and private offices start at $600 per month. Amenities: 24/7 access, meeting rooms, bottomless coffee, fiber wireless network, member mingle events, direct-to-desk food and beverage service and private call and videoconferencing booths. From its website: "Conveniently located at the confluence of NuLu and Downtown, Lodgic is steps away from Slugger Field, Whiskey Row and the rest of Downtown. Our state-of-the-art workplace is located in the business corridor, with easy access to everything Louisville has to offer."
LouieLab | Location: 745 W. Main St., 4th Floor, Louisville. Cost: Free to any member of the public who is actively working on a project approved by a Louisville Metro Government sponsor. Amenities: Coworking room, training room and a large conference room. From its website: "LouieLab is a civic innovation hub for public-private collaboration, and coworking space that features an open office and run by the Office of Performance Improvement. It is a physical manifestation of continuous improvement and innovation that are the foundation of Louisville Metro Government. This space is available to the public for events and co-working."
LVL1 | Location: 1205 E. Washington St., Louisville. Cost: $50 per month. Amenities: 24/7 key access, access to all tools and equipment owned, donated or loaned to LVL1 and ability to propose additions to LVL1's collection of tools and resources. From its website: "LVL1 is a hackerspace (sometimes called a makerspace) in Louisville. Our hackerspace is an open community lab and workshop democratically operated by its membership. We are friendly community of tinkerers, makers, engineers, educators, scientists, artists, hackers and overall geeks."
Maker13 | Location: 629 Michigan Ave., Jeffersonville, Indiana. Cost: Equipment memberships start at $30 for 10 equipment hours per month. Amenities: Access to Maker13's woodshop and metalshop, as well as welding, laser etching/cutting, 3D printing, embroidery, sewing, quilting and electronic equipment. From its website: "Maker13 is a community-based non-profit workshop that gives individuals and small businesses access to tools, training, and knowledge to create new ideas, start new businesses, create local art, and drive an interest in advanced manufacturing."
Story | Location: 900 E. Main St., Louisville. Cost: Hot desks are $250 per month, dedicated stations are $350 per month and private offices start at $550. Amenities: High-speed wifi, free local coffee, access to meeting rooms and event space, 24/7 access, business mailbox, monthly member mixers. From its website: "Located in the heart of the NuLu neighborhood in Louisville, Story is more than just physical spaces, we are a community fostering the growth of start-ups and innovators. We are a place for local artists, creatives and entrepreneurs who are tired of feeling isolated and working from the same ole' coffee shops."
Regus | Locations: 312 S. Fourth St., Suite 700, Louisville; 10200 Forest Green Boulevard, Suite 112, Louisville; 9850 Von Allmen Court, Suite 201, Louisville; and 2333 Alexandria Drive, Lexington. Cost: Coworking starts at $207 per month and varies by location. Amenities: Unlimited access to global business lounge network, regular networking events, shared collaboration areas and member discounts. From its website: "All our workspaces are home to a dynamic mix of businesses. Work alongside like-minded individuals and collaborate with other businesses through our range of networking events. Be part of a vibrant, global community of 2.5 million professionals and create new opportunities for your business."
The Root | Location: 110 E. Market St., New Albany, Indiana. Cost: $120 per month for individuals and $180 per month for teams. Amenities: 24-hour access, conference rooms, free coffee and snacks, high-speed wifi, printing services, phone booth and refrigerator and microwave access. From its website: "The Root is a coworking space located in the heart of downtown New Albany. First built in 1859, our historic building is designed to be a hub of new ideas and innovation, business and creative activity, and resources for your business to flourish."
Yes Working | Location: 965 Baxter Ave., Louisville. Cost: $80 per month for 25 hours a week, $120 per month for 24/7 access and $295 for a dedicated desk. Amenities: Private phone booth, high-speed internet, mail service, conference room and French press coffee. From its website: "Whether it’s working for yourself, remotely, or on a team it’s great to be in a community. Our purpose is to create an environment that allows you to focus on what’s really important, getting your work done and meet interesting, enthusiastic people."
