Search Results for: gate-3

Thursday, 12 March 2009

Twin Cities Co-Working Conversation Re-Ignited

by Garrick van Buren 12 Comments on Twin Cities Co-Working Conversation Re-Ignited


UPDATE 27 May 2009
New url for this effort: TwinCitiesCoWorking.org

Earlier this week, I had a fairly thorough conversation with a St. Paul-based serial entrepreneur exploring starting a co-working business.

I’ve been writing about the “co-working” / “work club” concept off and on for a while now (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, Bonus) and there hasn’t been any blips on my radar for more than a year. So, I was pleasantly surprised to hear from him.

The notion of having access a low-cost office-y space with some of the amenities of ‘bigger’ offices is attractive. Unfortunately – like flying cars and carbon trading markets – there are a number of reasons why it hasn’t caught on. Some of those reasons are obvious (Herman Miller decor) others are less so (How is it different than Kopplin’s?).

In one of my earlier posts, I talked about these third places as transitional places.

“The third workplace is inherently a transitional place – a place to go until. Until the home office is renovated. Until the go-to-the-office habit is kicked.”

I predict 2009 and 2010 will be banner years for small business starts and a transitional space is exactly what these new entrepreneurs need.

If you’ve got interest in or experience with a temporary, shared office space, leave a comment or drop me a line.

Thursday, 3 May 2007

Thursday, 17 February 2005

The Creative Grotto Vibe

by Garrick van Buren 1 Comment on The Creative Grotto Vibe

This morning Jen brought up the Temporary Office Space idea again. It’s something she’s brought up before. As a highly-mobile professional, the idea is very compelling. To have comfortable, secure place to send faxes grab a decent cup of coffee, and recharge off a good vibe for an hour or two, I think you can see how tempting it is.

This is why I’m tracking the next iteration of the Gate 3 Work Club.

On a smaller scale, I scanned the blogroll (opml) this morning, Brand Autopsy has a nice write-up on Po Bronson’s Writer’s Grotto.

If you’re interesting in this idea and closer to the Twin Cities, check out the Renaissance Box’s Writer’s Refuge.

Here’s a quick list of what I want from my work space (temporary or otherwise):

  • Wireless Internet
  • Chairs and tables fitting people over 6′ tall
  • Really good coffee
  • 2 reservable conference rooms; 1 for 2-4 people, 1 for 4-8 people
  • An open lofted, studio area where everyone can work quietly, and be aware of others working quietly
  • Postal substation
  • High speed, color copier

More as it comes to me.

Thursday, 3 February 2005

Gate 3 Work Club Closes

by Garrick van Buren 2 Comments on Gate 3 Work Club Closes

Five months ago, I was excited to see the opening of the Gate 3 Work Club in Emeryville, CA.

I completely believe in the principles;

  • people like to work from home – just not all the time
  • people like to work around others

I was skeptical that Herman Miller furnishings were necessary, and thought IKEA would be fine.

Well looks like February will be their last month open…due to funding issues.

I wish Neil Goldberg the best in the next iteration of the Work Club concept.

Thursday, 11 November 2004

Pajunas Hosts More Than Your Website

by Garrick van Buren Comments Off on Pajunas Hosts More Than Your Website

Like a midwestern version of Gate 3 Work Club, Allie at Pajunas is offering monthly office subscriptions.

That’s right, for a couple hundred dollars a month, you can move your start up out of your house and into downtown St. Paul’s fantastic Renaissance Box.

I spoke with her at the Pajunas open house tonight. We had a great conversation on the value of community, quiet, and internet access in getting a business off the ground.

If Pajunas doesn’t have the right space, check out the $50/month writer’s refuge elsewhere in the building. Perfect for your great american novel (breaks down to $1 / word) .

Monday, 4 October 2004

Gate 3 Work Club Opens

by Garrick van Buren 1 Comment on Gate 3 Work Club Opens

The Gate 3 Work Club officially opens this week in Emeryville, CA.

The culture of work in the US is dramatically changing. No longer segregated to the industrial parks and office buildings, knowledge workers and other members of the Creative Class are more mobile, more collaborative, and more flexible with their work.

This cultural change creates an opportunity ripe for the picking. Gate 3 Work Club is the first to pluck.

Gate 3 WorkClub is a flexible, “out of the office” workspace, designed to meet your needs – whether you work for a corporation or for yourself….Gate 3 WorkClub members discover an alternative to noisy cafes and the isolation of home offices.

All the amenities of a “real” office are there:

…WiFi, conference rooms, copiers, printers, phone, mail service.

My initial reaction is that the overhead could be lower. A place like this doesn’t need to be furnished by Herman Miller, IKEA would be fine. I also say nix the workstations and wired internet – those in need of a place like this already have laptops with wifi and mobile phones.

In all, best of luck to Gate 3 Work Club on their opening. I expect to see more competitors and locations soon.