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Guest post by Stefan Bhagwandin | Feature image courtesy of Cove, taken by Jeremy Rusnock
When you think coworking, you probably picture a bunch of techie Millennials hacking away at a new app or website. That stereotype exists for a reason: coworking has long since been dominated by the youthful tech industry, and it feeds off of small startups that want to work in proximity with their like-minded entrepreneur peers.
But as coworking has grown, it has also broadened its target audience. Right now, in the U.S., there are countless coworking spaces that are dedicated to specific industries, from beauty to art, to fashion and baking. If you’re a freelancer who spends a lot of time at the desk (whether you’re writing or coding), there are coworking spaces out there meant specifically for you.
The Study in Chicago
Unlike traditional coworking spaces that sometimes double as incubators and provide resources for startups to grow, The Study targets individuals who’ve already got their business running. The space offers quiet desks for freelancers and independent workers who simply need a productive environment to get work done.
The space is deliberately minimal. The work stations are private, phone calls aren’t allowed, and the only amenities are free wifi and coffee. It’s like a coffee shop without the distractions.
Commerce Club at the Oxford Exchange in Tampa
This coworking space is an artist’s dream office. Elegantly designed, the Oxford Exchange is a historic hotel in Florida (built in 1891!), and its Commerce Club coworking space lives up to expectations. The space is as beautiful as it is convenient. Members have easy access to hotel amenities like food and drink, and the desks are private, making it easier to keep to yourself when you’re deep in thought.
Noise is kept to a minimum since most of the members are independent workers, rather than teams that need to keep in constant contact. It’s the perfect pick if you like to look up from your computer and be greeted by visual inspiration.
Cove in Washington, D.C.
While the previous two coworking spaces pride themselves on their quiet, independent work spaces, Cove stands out by offering flexibility and convenience. The D.C. coworking space offers short-term plans, allowing you to pay $59/month for 1.5hr access per day. While most coworking spaces require you to be a full-time freelancer in order to justify the price, places like Cove are perfect for part-timers who want an office to drop by after class or the day job.
Freelancers think of coworking as a library in university; working in a quiet place with others can put you in a better mood than trying to do the same work from home or in a loud public area, at least so says Share Your Office.
Yet, with the increase of coworking spaces globally every operator needs to have a differentiating factor; catering to specific niches (freelancers, culinary, fashion, etc) is one of the ways that allows coworking space providers to successfully differentiate themselves from other local operators.
