1776NY loses space and shuts down, plans to reopen next year

Coworking and incubator space 1776’s weird year continues.

Word came out Wednesday that the space will be closing down its Brooklyn space in two weeks, to reopen some time next year, when the buildout of its new space in Building 77 of the Brooklyn Navy Yard is complete.

1776 had been renting the space from its next door neighbor, the industrial startup hub New Lab.

“[There is] no real change other than New Lab (our landlord for our temporary space) is in need of their space back for their growth,” explained 1776’s new owner, Anthony Maher, by text message. “We are giving our companies virtual memberships and they will join the hundreds of other companies and thousands of mentors on that platform until our build out of B77 is ready.”

1776NY’s program director, Camille Hoisington, and its campus manager, Rianna Mallard, will both be let go by the company, according to those with knowledge of the move.

The incubator/coworking space model and branding 1776 had has always been a bit different from other coworking spaces, which don’t ever typically invest in the startups that work at them. This might change when 1776 reopens, according to one of its current members, who said that the reopened space might be more of a traditional coworking model.

1776 was acquired just last month by Philadelphia-based coworking company Benjamin’s Desk, founded by Maher (and home to the Philly HQ of Technically Media). In an article with Technical.ly Philly he had said no layoffs were expected.

According to those with knowledge of the organization, more hires are expected when the space reopens.

Building 77 had a grand opening, with an appearance by Mayor Bill de Blasio, just last week.