Coworking is growing by leaps and bounds in D.C. There are more than 70 coworking spaces in the city, according to a new map from Washington D.C. Economic Partnership’s (WDCEP), up from 50 coworking spaces last year.
That map is embedded below, at the bottom of this post; DC Inno decided to take a look at a handful of the most prominent coworking spaces and ask the people leading them what sets a coworking space apart: what makes it more than just a desk, free coffee and high-speed Internet?
Some spaces haven’t withstood the test of time. Affinity Labs, D.C.’s first coworking space, closed at the end of 2014. Still, coworking is gaining traction.
Looking for a place to open up your laptop? Here are their responses and a guide to 10 coworking spaces worth knowing about in DC.
Adam Segal, Cove
When it comes to physical coworking spaces, there’s “a big spectrum,” said Adam Segal, founder of Cove, which is headquartered in DC. Different members need certain work atmospheres, and coworking spaces try to cater to those preferences. “For us, it’s about understanding what your needs are and what your behavior is, and aligning with a space that best suits you. Some people aren’t looking for an office replacement,” Segal said. “That’s where we fit in nicely.”
Kley Sippel, WeWork
Design is a key part of successful coworking, said Kley Sippel, DC lead of coworking space WeWork. Coworking involves “a balance between collaborative space and the ability to interact with others, and the ability to tuck away and get your work done,” Sippel said. “Amazing coworking spaces are well designed to help people do what they want to accomplish that.”
Shana Glenzer, MakeOffices
Coworking spaces give entrepreneurs opportunities to grow their business while also drawing on community members for inspiration, said Shana Glenzer, chief marketing officer of coworking space MakeOffices.“There are spaces to hunker down and be productive, and also opportunities to meet new people. Good coworking is striking balance between a space and a place to be productive and a community that supports you as you’re growing your business,” Glenzer said.
Here is a guide to 10 coworking spaces worth checking out in the D.C. area. After the list, check out WDCEP's map of more than 70 coworking spaces in the D.C. area.
- Pricing: Rates range from $30/day to $550 for a 3-month contract - Locations: Dupont Circle - 6,000 square-feet of open space with desks and no closed doors. Members include Lyft, Presidential Innovation Fellows and Startup Angels.
- Pricing: Ranges from $69 rate for nights and weekends to $169/month premium rate - Locations: 14th Street, Capitol Hill, Chinatown, Columbia Heights, K Street, South Dupont - Members can pay by the hour
- Pricing: Ranges from $75/month for a virtual office to more than $550/month for private offices - Locations: K Street, Dupont Circle, Clarendon, Reston Town Center, Tysons, Bethesda, Rosslyn - Offers perks including monthly networking events; a game room; and a wellness room.
- Pricing: Varies by location; A desk at Metropolitan Square starts at $350/month, and a private office at K Street costs $730/month - Locations: Metropolitan Square, Tysons, Manhattan Laundry, K Street, Dupont Circle, Wonder Bread Factory, Chinatown, Crystal City - Take a break from work at the space’s game room, open-air patio or lounge areas.
- Pricing: Ranges from an “affiliate membership” for $110/month to furnished private office for more than $725/month - Locations: SE DC - Has a washer and dryer in case businesses need to put in extra hours.
- Pricing: Depends on amenities. Ranges from a “community rate” of $50/month to a “community premium rate” of $375/month - Locations: Chinatown - Home to a number of organizations that are striving for change. Members include Social Rise, The Educator’s Lab and Pacific Strategies and Assessments.
- Pricing: Ranges from $20/hour room rates to a $400/month full-time membership - Locations: Adams Morgan - Hosts technical and educational workshops that give startups the tools they need to build a sustainable business
- Pricing: Depends on amenities; Mailing and phone service starts at $99/month, while a permanent executive office space starts at $1,100 a month depending on location - Locations: G Street, Pennsylvania Avenue, K Street, Capitol Hill, Farragut North, Georgetown, Metro Center, The Willard; Maryland and Virginia locations - Offers personal assistant services including shopping and dry cleaning
- Pricing: Varies depending on membership status and requested space. Call for rates. - Locations: Downtown Washington D.C. - Houses more than 35 organizations working on open government reforms in areas including tech, research, media and advocacy.
- Pricing: Depends on the size of the space and if you’re a member. A meeting room costs $25/hour for non-members; an event space costs $150/hour for non-members - Locations: Friendship Heights - Focuses on female entrepreneurs
