Remote work is a rising trend. People want to be their own bosses and to be in control of their schedule – instead of falling victims to the 9 to 5 lifestyle. Many companies are now trending in the new direction that our working culture is taking. In the U.S, 56% of companies allow their workers to telecommute to some extent. But the truth is that those who work from home don’t always want to work… at home. That’s why projects like Spacious exist. This isn’t your regular coworking spot. In fact, it isn’t a physical spot per se. Rather, Spacious is an idea based on one single problem: the lack of space in urban areas. With that in mind, Spacious looks for usable space where others didn’t think to look and add those locations to their network; so that remote workers have more options of places to do their job.
Spacious Business Model
As stated on their website, Spacious’ mission is to reimagine “how to use urban space more efficiently”. The secret to this is to look at facilities that already exist and understand how it can be used to its fullest potential. In short, that’s precisely what Spacious does. There are two phases to Spacious’ process: firstly, looking into high-end restaurants and secondly, into vacant retail spaces. Why these two types of facilities? The answer becomes clear when you realize how many high-end restaurants are closed until 5 PM. Also, how many retail spots are left unused for so long, waiting for someone to finally open a store and give some life to the space.
The Spacious’ business model looks to take advantage of these two situations. So, they build a network of spaces where remote workers can be productive and meet like-minded people by:
- Partnering up with restaurants that are closed during the day and that can provide several seats and reliable Wi-Fi.
- Connecting with retail landlords in order to turn their unused space into a coworking spot, providing them with a new source of revenue.
To have access to this network of locations, you have to choose one of three memberships – each of which allows you a certain number of guest hours per month in all Spacious spots.
Spacious Locations In NYC
Since locations are transient, you can view all up to date spacious locations here.
The Milling Room
The Milling Room is the perfect spot for any interviews or meetings with coworkers or clients, as it has the perfect dining room in the back for this type of occasion. It is wheelchair accessible and it has a lounge where you can chill anytime you need a break. This location also has a copier, scanner, and printer for your use.
Location: 446 Columbus Ave, New York
Opening hours: Monday to Friday: 8:30 AM until 5 PM
Saturday and Sunday: Closed
Bohemian Spirit
Located on the Upper East Side, the Bohemian Spirit restaurant has a lot of natural light, making for the perfect setting to have a productive day of work. With many individual tables, it’s the perfect space if you’re planning on a solo working day. It also has ergonomic chairs, ensuring you maintain a good posture even after hours of working in front of your laptop.
Location: 321 E 73rd St, New York
Opening hours: Monday to Friday: 8:30 AM until 5 PM
Saturday and Sunday: Closed
Crave Fishbar
The Crave Fishbar is located right by Central Park, so you can always go for a nice walk whenever you feel like having a pause from your work. The space itself has many types of seating: low, standing and communal tables, as well as booths, so it’s perfect for any type of working session you’re planning to do, whether you’re by yourself or in a group.
Location: 428 Amsterdam Ave, New York
Opening hours: Monday to Friday: 8:30 AM until 5 PM
Saturday and Sunday: Closed
Spacious Flagship
Whenever you want (or have to) push yourself and work a few more hours than usual, the Spacious Flagship is the right place for you. Even if you need to do some extra hours during the weekend, the place is open seven days of the week. It has a printer and a phone booth you can utilize, it is wheelchair accessible and it has gender neutral bathrooms.
Location: 30 W 53rd St, New York
Opening hours: Monday to Friday: 8 AM until 8 PM
Saturday and Sunday: 10 AM until 5 PM
Union Square East
The Union Square East space is another option for extra/weekend hours, where you have three floors of drop-in workspace with many low and standing desks to choose from, and a printer available to use. There’s also a microwave, so you can save some dollars by taking your lunch or dinner to work.
Location: 34 Union Square East, New York
Opening hours: Monday to Friday: 8 AM until 8 PM
Saturday and Sunday: 10 AM until 5 PM
Hearth
Located in the East Village, Hearth is the perfect place to go if you’re looking for a cozy environment to work. It’s one of the few spaces that doesn’t have standing tables; however, it has booths that you can use if you need to meet up with a client or colleague.
Location: 403 E 12th St, New York
Opening hours: Monday to Friday: 8:30 AM until 5 PM
Saturday and Sunday: Closed
7th Ave @ W 18th
7th Ave @ W 18th is located in Chelsea, where you’ll find the Chelsea Market and over 200 art galleries to enjoy during your breaks. The coworking space has many types of seatings and it is wheelchair accessible. Whenever you’re flooded with work and the 9 to 5 schedule isn’t enough, you can come to this location.
Location: 127 7th Ave, New York
Opening hours: Monday to Friday: 8 AM until 8 PM
Saturday and Sunday: Closed
7th Ave South @ W 10th
This location is in the West Village and it has two floors of drop-in workspace. If you enjoy working with natural light, you choose to use a low or standing desk on the top floor; if you don’t mind the type of lighting, you can go down to the lower floor and work in a cozier space.
Location: 130 7th Ave S, New York
Opening hours: Monday to Friday: 8 AM until 8 PM
Saturday and Sunday: Closed
Bar Primi
Bar Primi is an Italian restaurant in the Bowery, an area full of color and art, perfect for any creative worker. During its coworking hours, you can head to the second floor lounge and choose between the communal area, the private room or the long table in the back. It’s also close to the train station, so you don’t have to worry about an extra long commute time.
Location: 325 Bowery, New York
Opening hours: Monday to Friday: 8:30 AM until 5 PM
Saturday and Sunday: Closed
Fulton @ Rockwell
This coworking space is located right near the Gotham Market, where you can go get some takeaway food for lunch or dinner. If you choose to bring food from home, this location has microwaves available. Just like the other Spacious dedicated spaces, it allows for extended and weekend hours, so it’s one more option for busy times.
Location: 590 Fulton St, Brooklyn
Opening hours: Monday to Friday: 8 AM until 8 PM
Saturday and Sunday: 10 AM until 5 PM
5th Avenue @ Union
Finally, the 5th Avenue @ Union location is where you can go when you need to put in those extra hours. It used to be a bank in the 30s and it has plenty of natural light to enjoy during the day. This space has one main floor and two mezzanines with low, standing and communal tables.
Location: 207 5th Avenue, Brooklyn
Opening hours: Monday to Friday: 8 AM until 8 PM
Saturday and Sunday: 10 AM until 5 PM
What Is Included In A Spacious Membership?
There are three Spacious plans you can choose from:
- Annual: $129/month for 40 free guest hours per month
- 3-month: $149/month for 15 free guest hours per month
- Monthly: $199/month for 5 free guest hours per month
If you want to start with a smaller commitment, you can also choose to get a $20 day pass (or a bundle of them) and see if Spacious is the right choice for you.
All memberships give you access to:
- All of the eleven locations (and any other that are further added to the network)
- Free coffee and tea (both for members and guests)
- Fast and reliable Wi-Fi
- Many power outlets
- Opportunity to organize small meetings in any of the locations (limited according to membership – after those, you’re charged $5 per hour, with a daily limit of $20 per guest)
