The Shared Space Revolution!
So you think it is too expensive to set up shop for your small business or start-up in New York. And you are overwhelmed at the thought of three months of security deposit, moving expenses, equipment rentals, renovation costs and monthly utility costs, Think again! A new dawn of affordable office space has been born in New York City!
Manhattan real-estate prices have continued to skyrocket throughout the recession. Commercial space in midtown and neighborhoods like the Flatiron, Soho and Tribeca are hard-to-find and cost prohibitive. Keeping costs down might scare you out of the city that never sleeps, despite the advantages it has for innovation and creative stimulation. But the crop of cheap and easy shared office space is making the boroughs of Manhattan and Brooklyn look like Palo Alto in the 1990s.
Here are some stats:
Private workspace in the hottest small business neighborhoods in New York runs anywhere from $35 a day to $700 a month and includes high speed web access, kitchen facilities and access to conference rooms and event space. Not to mention the camaraderie that other newbies can provide. You just might find your new BFF here. But better yet, you just might find his or her Brin to your Page.
Some of the best spots we have seen are:
These snazzy digs bill themselves as “The Physical Social Network.” Their motto embodies the new model of collaborations and claims that “We Work Better Together.” With 8 locations in New York (4 in San Francisco, 2 in LA), you have lots of options and convenience to choose from. In the trendy meatpacking district on Little West 12 Street, $550 will get you a desk at the Inn, while $800 will garner you a private office! Both are equipped with high speed internet, high style furnishings and conference room hours. All you need is laptop and cellphone to get started! If you need a landline, phone access is shared and substantially cheaper than Verizon’s outrageous costs. A secondary perk will be the new are friends you be making and your close access to the after work wines you will be sipping at nearby Pastis!
For those who prefer something a little more conservative in layout, but equally cost effective, Micro Office might be the best option for you. With office locations in Midtown near Madison Square Garden, the Flatiron or Chelsea, you can set up shop with a furnished cubicle for under $500. With that low price you get up to eight hours of conference room time, additional hours for $25.
Micro Office saves you some serious headaches, since IT staff are on site and can reboot your system with little downtime. Have to fax, print, copy, file? Don’t worry. It’s all there; anything you need to run your office is onsite and available at low cost. Month-to-month short-term rentals, temporary and part-time office space are also options and allow you the ability to grow without locking you into a long-term lease. This cheapie office space is a great starter option for newbies to get up and running fast or for professionals who want a New York address to hang their hat in between clients other than Starbucks. Best of all, you don’t have to commit.
The beauty of these spaces is that anyone can get started with a few hundred dollars and an idea. Security deposits range from one month to two months. No credit check needed, just a credit card and the cost of a Le Bernardin dinner for two and you are in business! So no more excuses, what are you waiting for?
Category: pennypinching, the basics
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