Office Space News
Affinity Lab: A Coworking Pioneer Thrives in Recession
Published March 10th, 2009 by Jennifer LeClaire
When I hear the word coworking, the first thing that comes to my mind is coworking couples. You know, those married folks who work at the same place and sometimes complain about too much togetherness.
But coworking is taking on a new meaning in this recession. Just as executive office suites and shared offices are getting more visibility, coworking arrangements are also gaining momentum.
Looking for office space in the Washington, DC?
As the coworking trend attracts interest from freelancers, start-ups and home-based businesses looking for alternative office space, I thought it an opportune time to look at one of the oldest coworking companies: Affinity Lab in Washington, D.C.
Office Space for your Dream
Affinity Lab’s tagline: An Entrepreneurial Dream and Action Space. The company describes itself as an entrepreneurial launch platform serving a rich community of creative businesses, non-profits and start-ups. The Lab manages the shared business and operations needs of its clients so they can focus on executing their mission.
How does a coworking space compare to a serviced office space? While executive office spaces are about cost-savings without skimping on reputation, coworking facilities are about creating a culture that fosters collaboration and idea sharing.
Affinity describes it as “shared office space meets incubator meets entrepreneurial club house.” That’s because when you hook up with Affinity, you join a group of peers, build a new network, expand your circle of friends, and share experiences with other entrepreneurs. Sometimes, these environments lead to completely new ventures.
Affinity Has the Coworking Hookup
Affinity Lab gives you dedicated workspace in a shared office environment. You’ll have access to locking storage, a bookcase and office chair, a large event room, welcome area, kitchen, lounge and, yes, a disco ball. The space is right next to a 24-hour diner, making it easy for the coworking entrepreneurs to catch a bite to eat without ending the collaboration.
Affinity also offers dedicated telephones, high-speed Internet access, networked printing, high-speed copiers, whiteboards and flip charts, postage machines and scales, and a TV, VCR and DVD player in the conference room.
Affinity Lab’s pricing model is interesting. You can be a virtual member for $235 a month. This membership level aims at entrepreneurial folks with full-time jobs that are trying to launch a business or non-profit on the side. Shared members pay $575 a month, sharing a desk space and phone line with another member. Full members pay $995 a month and have everything they need to hit the ground running, from voicemail to bookshelves to file storage.
Coworking is not for everybody, but Affinity Lab is proving that it’s for many with its Washington, D.C. offices that are home to the likes of innovative non-profits and companies like Cause TV, Climate Lab, and Investors without Borders. Check them out for yourself or visit a coworking facility near you.
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Rob Zeus March 10th, 2009 at 7:03 pm
What a great example of coworking. I see it’s not necessarily always a cost savings over serviced offices, but it’s the advantage of working in an environment with others. This is going to be revolutionary for Generation Y workers coming out of college during this recession and looking to start their own businesses.
Bill Brookshire March 10th, 2009 at 7:10 pm
Shared office space meets incubator meets entrepreneurial club house. That’s cute. I think the coworking trend is great, but it would drive me crazy. I need a quiet, private office space where I can concentrate. The buzz of a coworking facility would be too distracting for me. To each his own.
Elizabeth Sanchez March 12th, 2009 at 6:42 am
What I’d love to see is a hybrid model… a coworking facility that also has serviced offices. I think that would offer the best of both worlds to some. For example, I might start out in a coworking facility and then decide I need a more private space. Or, I might hire an employee and have them work in the coworking area while I conduct business in the executive office suites on the next floor. There are all sorts of scenarios. I expect to see some creative things in this industry going forward.
Melanie Jones March 12th, 2009 at 6:47 am
Affinity Labs is a master of coworking facilities. Other start-ups in the office space industry should be looking at this model. I think this company has been around for about 20 years, if I’m not mistaken. They must be doing something right, especially considering coworking hasn’t been a major trend in office space rentals for very long.