A coworking opportunity in Ballston

[Neil Takemoto]

What if there were 5000 s.f. of creative space at a government-subsidized lease rate, right next to the Ballston Metro, that was just begging to become a coworking space for Arlingtonians? Are there people in Arlington willing to run with such a business opportunity? Commit now to becoming coworking tenants? The opportunity is real, so the question is, are there people in Arlington capable of executing? Please post here, or reply to me directly!

For illustrated examples of coworking spaces, click here, and check out the news coverage on the Affinity Lab coworking space in Adams Morgan, DC here.

[AJ Malik]

Perhaps. I would approach Jennifer Ives and Cindy Richmond, both principals with Arlington Economic Development, Arlington residents, and members of Creative Arlington.

[Jason Rylander]

Might also check with the Ballston Partnership. I think it is an excellent idea. I can't say if I would ever use it myself, but one never knows. My sister set up a successful coworking space in Seattle -- www.officenomads.com and, of course, Affinity Labs in Adams Morgan is a great local example.

[Kennedy Smith]

I'd be interested in being a tenant. (I'd be MORE interested if it were in Clarendon, Pentagon City, or Crystal City, rather than Ballston.)

[Haitham Omar]

I would be also intersted in being a tenant, i think it is a cool and good approch to doing business.

[Julie Martin Mangis]

This is Julie Mangis, Executive Director of the Ballston-Virginia Square Partnership, and also a member of Creative Arlington. The space Neil is talking about really exists and would be available by the end of the year. Co-workers would, however, need to put together a viable business plan because the owners of the building would be looking for credit worthy tenants.

[Ernesto Gluecksmann]

I am not sure if we could be tenant. It would depend on the membership levels, I found Affinity Lab's here: http://www.affinitylab.com/membership/levels

5000 square ft is a lot of space. It's better than a good idea, I think it's needed in the area. I would be happy to contribute in whatever way I could.

[Sheridan]

We were curious about this space and in the neighborhood, so I visited the location with Neil yesterday. It's a really neat space and there is room for plenty of tenants. Right now, I don't think I could commit to being a tenant, but I think it's a fantastic opportunity for anyone looking to get involved in coworking in Arlington. It is in a good location in a professional building with its own cafe and convenience store, and it's right near a park/courtyard that would provide a nice alternate space for coworkers. Anyone who's interested in executing this space should definitely get in touch with Neil or someone else involved and take a look for yourself!

[Neil Takemoto]

More details: The lease is $16/s.f. and must be registered via a nonprofit.

[Courtney Kissell]

Would certainly be interested in learning more about this idea! Keep me posted. Although 5000 sq feet sounds like a lot of space to fill.

[Tom Merrihew]

I realize some time has passed since this discussion started, but I would like to offer my help in (1) locating space that qualifies for subsidized E.D. space, (2) putting together the business plan, (3) forming the necessary entity and (4) utilizing some of the space for my company. If there's still interest from this group in creating something akin to Affinity Lab (which I have visited) or another coworking model here in Arlington, can we strike back up the conversation?

[Lauren Damme]

I'm new to Arlington (and Creative Arlington), but I would be interested in getting involved...what is the status on this? Do we have more details now?

I've a small business that I only do PT (www.alluresilverjewelry.com), and it's something I can do from home...so I'm more interested in the social aspect of a public workspace that's available on a first-come, first-serve sort of basis within the creative co-working space of permanent tenants (perhaps with additional rented storage space?). Has this sort of thing been discussed? Or is there other interest in it (for people with slightly more mobile SMEs like mine?)

Cheers!

[Brad McKay]

I would very much be interested in this opportunity. There are several places around Arlington that seem like they would be excellent potential locations for precisely this kind of workspace; I did not realize anyone else was working on the same thing. Please let me know where the process is regarding the Ballston location. Thanks.