COWORKING SPACES

BY CHRIS DUHAIME

Why has coworking become so popular?

If it seems like coworking or shared office spaces are popping up everywhere you look…it’s because they are.

Coworking spaces are on the rise, with an estimated 29,968 locations expected worldwide by 2022. So, what’s the deal? What exactly is a coworking space, and why are these locations proving so popular?

WHAT IS COWORKING?

Simply put, coworking represents a location that provides professional space for members to access according to their membership plan. Depending on your specific needs, you might require a reserved conference room for a guaranteed number of hours per month.

Maybe a day pass every other week does the job, or perhaps your business has grown to the point of needing private office space, but you don’t quite have a budget big enough for a longterm lease.

Regardless of your specific membership plan, all members of a coworking space are provided with certain amenities, like free Wi-fi, printing capabilities, high-end furniture, a professional mailing address and guaranteed quiet surroundings for optimal productivity, along with perks like free coffee and refreshments.

But, does that account for the arguably meteoric rise in popularity of coworking spaces across the globe? There’s a little more to it.

A NEW FRONTIER

You’ve heard it before, but in case you need reminding — we are living and working in the era of the gig economy. Working remotely is increasingly common, thanks to the abundance of technological advancements that make doing so possible. It’s an attractive option for businesses, too, cutting down on operational costs. Currently, more than 3.9 million Americans work remotely approximately 50% of the time.

Now, given that working from home isn’t always practical, peaceful or productive, depending on the environment and who else might be sharing it, you can start to understand the appeal of the coworking space. It’s like a home-office-away-from-home office, with none of the distractions like being in eyeshot of your overflowing laundry room or in earshot of screaming kids or barking dogs.

A SHOT OF SUPPORT FOR COMMUNITIES

The benefits of coworking spaces are easy to track for freelancers, solopreneurs, startups and small businesses. But what often gets overlooked is the advantage a coworking space offers a community.

Consider this analysis of coworking spaces in a community by Josh Shronce, community manager of Venture X West Palm Beach:

“When entrepreneurs succeed, the community thrives. With more resources and more career opportunities, community members flourish. That’s why we’ve offered our space as the central hub for Palm Beach Startup Week. It’s a chance to show off our space, sure, but it’s also our chance to give back to the community and drive more economic growth.”

While coworking spaces support professionals on an individual basis, the collective advantage cannot be overstated.

COWORKING SPACES IN NEW HAMPSHIRE

Chuck Roast Venture Center

90 Odell Hill Road, Conway, NH 03818 603-356-9129, chuckroast.com/venture 1 or 2 days per week $35/week or $90/month Unlimited usage $60/week or $150/month Private small office $175/month

Cowerc of Londonderry

184 Mammoth Road, Unit 3, Londonderry, NH 03053 603-484-8292, cowerc.space A variety of services available

Coworking House

52 Nashua Street, Milford, NH 03055 603-556-8267, cohonh.com Open coworking day pass $35 Private day office pass $50 Open seating, 24/7 access $199/month Family membership (2 seats, same household) $249/month Private office $699/month

COVE (Cooperative Venture Workspace)

36 Maplewood Avenue, Portsmouth, NH 03801 603-610-8250, coveworkspace.com Day pass $25/day Part-time coworker (10 days) $199/month Full-time coworker (unlimited access) $299/month Dedicated sit-to-stand desk or cubicle $449/ month Executive office $699/month

HRKNSScowork

11 S. Main Street, Unit 200, Concord, NH 03301 909-660-3301, hrknsscowork.com Offers a variety of services

New England Executive Center

264 South River Road, Bedford, NH 03110 603-644-4554, newenglandexec.com 2 day passes $49/month 5 day passes $99/month 8 day passes $149/month 20 day passes $299/month

Red Oak Coworking Offices

66 Hanover Street, Manchester, NH 03101 603-668-8282, redoakcoworking.com Day use $49/day Shared office workstation $249/month Prime glass office $399/month with parking special Prime suite $499/month with parking special Premier suite $749/month with parking special

Regus

888-673-7850, regus.com 15 Constitution Drive, 1st Floor, Bedford, NH 03110 Starting at $350 per person/month 1 Tara Boulevard, Suite 200, Nashua, NH 03062 Starting at $370 per person/month 170 Commerce Way, Suite 200, Portsmouth, NH 03801 Starting at $240 per person/month

Spark

500 No. Commercial Street, Suite 502, Manchester, NH 03101 603-934-3222, sparkoffices.com Spark seats $95/month ; Coworking $195/month; Exclusive office $345/month