The Coworking Industry Is Taking To The Streets — Literally

Coworking has expanded into numerous other commercial real estate industries since its founding — from hotels to shopping centers, this office sector seems to have a grasp on every corner of the market. The latest trend is unlike any of the aforementioned: it’s called WePark, and yes, it literally sits in an empty parking space.

The idea came to fruition when San Francisco-based coder Victor Pontis wanted an alternative workplace that wasn’t his apartment and was more affordable than a standard coworking space.

What came next was a congregation of a mixture of workers sitting at a few tables, working on their own projects together. Although it started off as a joke became a reality and makes a good point about the high expenses of the city’s work spaces.

After the project was a success, other cities around the world caught wind and set up their own WePark stations.

We’ve even seen it in popular culture, such as an episode of Broad City where one of the main characters sets up SheWork, a coworking space on a sidewalk made for women and smokers.

“We had people come through who didn’t have an office because they work for themselves or from home, who couldn’t afford coworking, but like the idea of having a work community,” said Matt Brezina, an entrepreneur and investor.