In recent years, the Philly area has become a hub for all kinds of creative office space.
There are more than 30 shared office spaces in the city, ranging from an office that lets members rent the whole space out to upscale coworking offerings with private offices cloaked in glass to huge warehouse spaces for artists and startups alike. Many coworking spaces, like The Hive, Business Casual Coworking, the South Philadelphia Co-op Workspace and 3rd Ward, which later became Impact Hub, have also closed down over the years. Find all our coverage of coworking here, plus a 2016 wrap of our biggest coworking stories here.
Here’s our guide to maneuvering the scene. We’ve broken down each place by notable amenities (Does it allow puppies? Does it offer free beer?), pricing and anchor tenants. We ranked size in terms of small (fewer than 10,000 square feet), medium (between 10,000 and 20,000 square feet) and large (more than 20,000 square feet.) Prices are monthly unless otherwise noted.
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Benjamin’s Desk at The Curtis. (Photo by Lian Parsons)
Benjamin’s Desk
601 Walnut St. in Old City
Founded in 2012, Benjamin’s Desk is Philly’s homegrown coworking contender, competing with the likes of out of town coworking providers WeWork and Industrious. It offers both private offices and desks.
Notable amenities: Beer
Size: Medium (two floors, 19,700 square feet)
Price: $399/desk, $1,399/office
Office to desk ratio: 1:1
Anchor tenants: Technically Media (full disclosure), Engine Room, Compass
Other locations: Flagship at 1701 Walnut Street and newly opened 1608 Walnut Street in Rittenhouse, plus licensing deals in Wilmington and Ambler.
Bok
1901 S. 9th St. in South Philly
After Bok Technical High School closed in 2013, developer Lindsay Scannapieco converted the building into a massive makerspace this year. It features artist studios and other small businesses. Klip Collective featured an art installation as a tribute to the school at Bok (that was met with some controversy). Bok is currently backed by private investors and a bank construction loan.
Notable amenities: Dog friendly, on-site rooftop bar (Le Bok Fin)
Size: Large (340,000 square feet)
Price: $325/small studio bay, $450/private studio, $400/300 ft. room, $950/750 ft. room
Occupancy: 40,000 square feet occupied
Anchor tenants: Fringe Salon, Revival Letterpress, Project PLAY School, Hive76
Inside the Camden Co-Lab in 2014. (Photo by Juliana Reyes)
Camden CoLab
200 Federal St. in Camden, N.J.
Opened two years ago, the CoLab is now home to Hopeworks N’ Camden’s Camden Code Day and other tech companies. It looks like a traditional office environment with rows of offices and cubicles. Can’t afford a membership right now? Camden CoLab offers fellowships to student entrepreneurs and Kiva Zip fellowships to small businesses who have accepted a Kiva Zip loan.
Size: Large (25,000 square feet)
Price: Budget-friendly ($250/dedicated desk, $400/private cube, $500/office)
Office to desk ratio: Mostly offices
Anchor tenants: Girl Develop It Camden, Hopeworks N’ Camden, LEAP Academy FAB LAB
City CoHo
2401 Walnut St. in Center City
The environment is on the brain at City CoHo, which houses environment-focused companies. The building features reclaimed barn wood desks, a green roof and a 17,500 gallon rainwater cistern. The space opened in 2014 following a $10.5 million makeover of the building in 2011.
Size: Large (25,000 square feet)
Price: $400/desk, $12,000/office
Office to desk ratio: 1:3
Occupancy: About half full as of November
Anchor tenants: Sustainable Business Network, Anexinet, Recycle Bank, Context Travel
CultureWorks
1315 Walnut St. in Center City
CultureWorks is an artist-focused space, founded by Thaddeus Squire in 2012. (He gave us some pretty handy coworking tips back in 2013.) It provides not only coworking, but copiloting, offering flexible staffing, advisory services and classes. Read more about the space here.
Size: Small
Price: $350/7 days a week
Anchor tenants: Head and the Hand’s Nic Esposito, Mural Arts’ Jane Golden, Interactive Mechanics
Globe Dye Works space for rent. (via Globe Dye Works on Facebook)
Globe Dye Works
4500 Worth St. in Frankford
The massive Globe Dye Works opened in 2009 as an industrial makerspace with artist studios and offices for small businesses. Tenants can customize their space like installing plumbing and utilities. Because of this investment, tenants usually rent for a year or more, cofounder Peter Kelly told us. Globe Dye Works is funded by a combination of a small group of partners, equity and construction financing from a bank. It also received a $17,000 city grant in 2013.
Notable amenities: Customizeable space
Size: Large (12 interconnected buildings, 150,000 square feet)
Price: Starts at $3,000 for a 500 square foot studio
Occupancy: Full
Anchor tenants: Petrichor Press, Brett Thomas Photography, Weckerly’s Ice Cream
A meeting in Headroom in Wayne. (via Headroom on Facebook)
HeadRoom
230 Sugartown Rd. in Wayne
HeadRoom’s second location in Wayne opened in October 2015. Catered toward business professionals, the decor and furniture are relatively minimalist and functional. It’s one of the few coworking spaces in the suburbs. HeadRoom also cohosted Delco Tech Week this year.
Size: Small (3,000 sq. ft.)
Price: $350/50 hours (additional renting by the hour)
Office to desk ratio: 10:1
Occupancy: About half full as of November
Anchor tenants: Results Repeat, PowerMatch, Brinker Simpson & Co., JAMIS Sales Solutions
Other locations: 24 Veterans Sq. in Media
Industrious Philadelphia
230 S. Broad St. in Center City
Industrious opened its Philly office in May 2015. It initially planned to open two Philly locations, but the second one has yet to pan out. The Brooklyn-based company’s flagship is located in Chicago. It is backed by Riverwood Capital, and as of September has raised $51 million.
Notable amenities: Relaxation rooms
Size: Large (two floors, 20,774 square feet)
Price: $400/desk, starting at $750/private office
Office to desk ratio: 4:1 (60 offices, 13 desks)
Occupancy: 98 percent full as of November
Anchor tenants: Philadelphia Citizen, Bloom Planning, Yellowdig, Athena Global Advisors, Jacobson Strategic Communications
Other locations: None in Philly yet, but all over the country, including Chicago, Los Angeles, Atlanta and Nashville
Indy Hall
399 Market St. in Old City
Launched in 2007 and founded by Alex Hillman and Geoff DiMasi, Indy Hall is the OG of the Philly coworking scene. It has seen two locations including Strawberry Street off Market and 20 N. 3rd St., before finally settling at its current location in August. Indy Hall is home to many entrepreneurs and even Girl Scout Troop #9573.
Notable amenities: Field trips, free/discounted events
Size: Small
Price: $300/5 days a week
Office to desk ratio: 100 percent desks
Anchor tenants: Johnny Nines, Lauren Ancona, Nick Eubanks
At the Innovation Center @3401. (via the Innovation Center on Facebook)
Innovation Center @ 3401
3401 Market St. in University City
The Innovation Center @ 3041 is an incubator from Drexel University and the University Science Center. It is funded by the Science Center and Drexel as equal partners and receives additional support from Safeguard Scientifics. It launched in 2014, aiming to be the “Innovation District’s” entrepreneurial center.
Size: Medium (17,500 sq. ft.)
Price: Declined to comment
Office to desk ratio: 1:6 (54 desks, 8 offices)
Anchor tenants: DreamIt Ventures, Point.io
South Jersey Entrepreneurs in Technology meeting at King’s Hall February 2015. (via King’s Hall on Facebook)
King’s Hall
14 Kings Hwy West in Haddonfield, N.J.
King’s Hall was founded by husband-and-wife duo Sean and Devon Perry in December 2014. It is the first coworking space of its kind in South Jersey. The three buildings that make up the space include a renovated center-hall colonial house and a former funeral home.
Size: Medium (three buildings, 10,000 sq. ft.)
Price: $99/non-dedicated desk, $299/dedicated desk
Anchor tenants: Linode, Remax of Haddonfield, Community Foundation of South Jersey
At MakeOffices’ Philly location launch in February 2016. (Photo via Facebook)
MakeOffices
2001 Market St. in Center City
D.C.-based MakeOffices, originally known as Uber Offices, opened its first Philly location this January. MakeOffices is planning to open more Philly locations but canceled plans to open at The Bourse last month.
Notable amenities: Beer and wine, gym, game room, relaxation room with massage chairs
Size: Large (25,000 square feet)
Price: $300/desk, starting at $600/office
Office to desk ratio: Mostly offices
Anchor tenants: Bainbridge Health, TowerView Health, Lloyd Group, Club OS, Lanyon
Other locations: None in Philly yet, but around the country, like in Chicago and Washington, D.C.
NextFab
2025 Washington Ave. in South Philly
NextFab is a high tech workshop, founded by Evan Malone in 2009 and opened in January 2010. Originally at the University City Science Center’s 3711 Market Street building, it opened a bigger location in 2013. NextFab allows Philly makers to prototype their creations, including participants in the annual Jefferson University Health Hack. Health IT startups like BioBots and Biomeme used to have office space here.
Notable amenities: Studio equipment, usage of tools, workstations, experts on staff, entertainment room, instruction provided for multiple skill levels
Size: Large (21,000 sq. ft.)
Price: $199/unlimited days at every location
Anchor tenants: Sharif Pendleton, Taylor McDowell, Shelley Spector
Other locations: 1227 N. 4th St. in Kensington and forthcoming in Wilmington
Old City Collective
222B Race St. in Old City
Described as an alternative to the traditional coworking format, Old City Collective has an intimate, boutique-like feel. Members can rent out the whole space for a period of time. Its location used to house The Hive, which closed in January.
Size: Small (two levels, 950 square feet)
Price: $300/4 hours, $400/8 hours
Anchor tenants: PhiladelphiaHeadshot.com, Bella Angel Hair & Makeup, GlossPhilly.com, Botanical Bash
At the Pennovation Center. (via Pennovation Center on Facebook)
Pennovation
3401 Grays Ferry Ave. in Grays Ferry
The University of Pennsylvania’s huge research hub and incubator opened in October. The multi-purpose facility features a coworking space powered by Benjamin’s Desk. Funding includes outside sponsors like Hershey, Co. and Comcast.
Notable amenities: On-site cafe
Size: Large (58,000 sq. ft.)
Price: $399/desk, $1,499/office
Anchor tenants: Amriton, Edible Philly, Free Library of Philadelphia, Penn Vet Working Dog Center
Pipeline Philly
30 15th. St. in Center City
Miami-based Pipeline opened its Philly location last December with local partners Tayyib Smith, Josh Dubin and Gregory Stott. The space is designed to be sleek and modern with lots of glass and big windows.
Size: Large (22,000 sq. ft.)
Price: $499/desk, $649/office
Office to desk ratio: 1:1
Occupancy: Full
Anchor tenants: Billy Penn, Little Giant Creative
Other locations: None in Philly but several in Florida
Coworking at Rally Coffee. (Photo via Facebook)
Rally Coffee
701 S. 7th St. in Bella Vista
Rally Coffee offers an intimate, literal coffee shop atmosphere and a workspace for those who are prone to camping out in Starbucks. Opened this spring, the space is also suitable for one-on-one meetings and can be rented out for larger events.
Notable amenities: One complimentary espresso per visit, 20 percent off cafe food, waive table reservation fee
Size: Small (800 square feet)
Price: $100/monthly membership
Office to desk ratio: 100 percent desks
Occupancy: Rolling, but the space’s max. occupancy is 15 people
The Cedar Works
4919 Pentridge St. in Cedar Park
The Cedar Works was a fixer-upper story when it opened in January 2013. Now, it’s a makerspace and offers studios and workshop spaces. Photographers are especially drawn to it for the natural light throughout the building. The place is owned by the folks that own The Fire Works in West Philly.
Notable amenities: Outdoor garden patio
Size: Medium (15,000 sq. ft.)
Price: $1/sq. ft./month for studios
Office to desk ratio: Mostly studios (19 studios, 3 offices)
Anchor tenants: Mill Creek Farm, Seeds of Potential, Training for Change
Can't make today's #ExchangeBreakfastClub? Follow along using the hashtag above to hear from @DAFrizzG! pic.twitter.com/LJHQyhxVby
— Exchange PHL (@ExchangePHL) June 21, 2016
The Exchange
1501 Cherry St. in Logan Square
The Exchange is designed for organizations and companies working in the nonprofit, philanthropy and social impact fields. It was launched in 2013 by Joe Pyle and Matt Joyce. The space is set up with traditional rows of cubicles but also includes private offices and half-desks. Funding is primarily member-driven through memberships.
Size: Small (6,500 square feet)
Price: $315/cubicle, $630/office
Office to desk ratio: 3 offices and 5 conference rooms
Occupancy: Nearly full
Anchor tenants: Green Light Fund Philadelphia, Philly Fellows, uAspire
At The Fire Works. (Photo by Bryan Suchenski)
The Fire Works
701 50th St. in West Philly
The Fire Works opened in January 2014, founded by Linford Martin, also one of the cofounders of the makerspace The Cedar Works.
Notable amenities: Outdoor green space
Size: Small (2,000 sq. ft.)
Price: $60/5 days+$12/additional day, $100/10 days+$12/additional day
Office to desk ratio: 100 percent desks
#arthappens with Amber Art and Design at @theloomphilly #mural #philly #artstudio #makerspace pic.twitter.com/AvKRyEBxP0
— theloomphilly (@theloomphilly) June 3, 2014
The LOOM
3245 Amber St. in Port Richmond
This former textile mill turned makerspace has been around for decades. Owner Chris Dardaris and his former business partner bought the complex ten years ago and it quickly attracted artisans and manufacturers. The space has a total of three buildings and is industrial and multi-purpose.
Notable amenities: Loading docks, freight elevators, passenger elevator
Size: Large
Price: Prices vary
Occupancy: Full
Anchor tenants: PaperTHINKTank, A.V. Rental Services Inc., Zakiya Caldwell, Wild Cherry, Mural Arts
We had a great time at the Philly Design Center's grand opening event last night. pic.twitter.com/AmJvdu4JDh
— Vectorworks (@Vectorworks) April 1, 2016
The Philadelphia Design Center
1313 South 33rd Street in Grays Ferry
The Design Center caters to architects, industrial designers and fashion and costume designers. It opened this spring and currently hosts five resident designers. It is funded by in-kind corporate computer hardware and software contributions, foundation support, memberships, internal fees and donations.
Notable amenities: Washer/dryer, dressing room, sewing machine, irons, steamers
Size: Small (1,500 sq. ft.)
Price: Prices vary based on need
Occupancy: About 60 percent full
Anchor tenants: Becca Austin, Natalia de la Torre, Joshua Gallagher, Amanda Jensen, Robin Stamey
Our founders, Jenny Du & Brian Cosgrove talk about the ups & downs of coworking spaces: https://t.co/eAB5E8FlKO pic.twitter.com/Pp3KUKunXm
— THRIVE Philly (@Thrive_Philly) June 30, 2016
THRIVE Philly
444 N. 3rd St. in Callowhill
Founded by Jenny Du and Brian Cosgrove (also the founders of digital marketing agency BrainDo) this spring, THRIVE Philly seeks tech companies to share the space.
Notable amenities: Dog friendly, ping-pong table
Size: Medium (11,000 square feet)
Price: $410/desk, $1,640/office (1-8 people)
Anchor tenants: BrainDo, TPG
Full house for today's #rubyonrails event with @startupleaders pic.twitter.com/VmOltpjDCc
— Venturef0rth (@venturef0rth) January 17, 2015
Venturef0rth
417 N. 8th St. in Center City
Venturef0rth opened in February 2012 and since then has experienced highs and lows. In the summer of 2015, it nearly shut down but was saved by an anonymous donor. Venturef0rth hosts community events and tried to raise a seed fund to help startups working out of the space.
Notable amenities: Free beer, dog friendly
Size: Medium (10,000 square feet)
Price: $365/desk, $800/office
Anchor tenants: Pico, AltEquity, Collages.Net, Kitchen Cred, Bokeh Fire
Walnut St. Labs
319 W. Gay St. in West Chester
Chris Dima founded Walnut St. Labs in November 2013 to make working and commuting easier for startups in the suburbs. The space has desks but also more casual seating like armchairs and sofas.
Notable amenities: Frequent events (like this one)
Size: Small (2,000 square feet)
Price: Depends on the size of the business
Anchor tenants: Common Bond, Aetna, Zoetis, National Equipment Parts
WeWork
1010 N. Hancock St. in Northern Liberties
Located at the former Schmidt’s Brewery, coworking giant WeWork in NoLibs is a bit industrial and a lot hip. The New York-based company opened at the beginning of this summer and has since opened two other locations.
Notable amenities: Game lounge, dog friendly, mothers’ room
Size: Large (2 floors, 30,000 square feet)
Price: $425/desk, starting at $600/office
Other locations: 1430 Market St., 1601 Walnut St., plus 19 U.S. cities and 11 countries
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