Finding the right home for a coworking space involves balancing a complex formula of factors:
- Location
- Size
- Price
- Ceiling height
- Natural light
- Shape
- Flooring
- Amenities (bathrooms, kitchenette, etc)
- Entryway/hallway
- Availability of connectivity
- Cell phone reception
- Need for buildout (offices, conference rooms, etc)
- Friendly landlord
…and probably several other smaller factors.
It may be possible to find a space which is nearly perfect on all these counts, but the time it may take to find it could be prohibitive.
We find ourselves, right now, performing this balancing act as we seek our new home. We’ve found spaces that score fantastically well on most of the above requirements, but fall disturbingly short on some others.
We also have a finite amount of time to find our home. Our current accommodations are great, but we can’t operate without a home of our own forever. So we can’t wait for the perfect space to fall into our laps. The answer, unsurprisingly, lies in making a responsible compromise.
The first time around, I faced a choice between committing to a space which I had a handful of serious reservations about, or passing on it and extending the search for months longer. I had to balance the risks of a less than ideal space against the risks of losing momentum.
After enough potential members saw the space and approved, I took the plunge. Over time, I found that while my concerns were well-founded, we circumvented or overcame them over time.
Yes, our space was hard to get to from the east side. Yes, the photo-ID-required security was a pain. Yes, the space was noisy. But it was close enough to make it work. Now, we’re faced with a similar situation, and the stakes are much higher.
How important are things like the entryway, shape of the space, and natural light, when stacked up against a great area, price, size, and high ceilings? As with the last space, and as with any major decision when it comes to a coworking space, the answer lies in the wants and needs of the community.
An open house or two holds the answers.
I’m waiting for some more information to come through, but in the meantime, if you’re in the NYC area, keep your eyes peeled for tomorrow (Monday) afternoon. Just in case :-)
