Co-Working Spaces Surge in Chicago Amidst Downtown Office Vacancies

Co-working Space

Co-Working Spaces Surge in Chicago Amidst Downtown Office Vacancies

As the pandemic continues to redefine the office landscape, Chicago is experiencing a surge in co-working spaces, offering a unique blend of convenience and community to a workforce that is increasingly embracing hybrid work models. Amid record high office vacancies and a growing reluctance to return to traditional office environments, co-working spaces are flourishing in the Windy City, appearing in locations as diverse as suburban shopping centers, apartment buildings and even upscale health clubs.

In the wake of COVID-19, the concept of co-working has evolved from its pre-pandemic image of trendy urban spaces, popularized by the likes of WeWork, into a more flexible and accessible option for both employers and employees. As Mark Dixon, CEO of IWG, the world’s largest provider of co-working space, explains, “We’re converting empty shops, warehouses, office buildings and apartment blocks. For us, it’s a period of super-high growth.”

Co-working spaces are not just about providing a physical location for work. They offer a range of amenities like copiers, coffee machines, conference rooms, free Wi-Fi and even the best sit stand desks. These facilities offer remote workers an escape from home distractions while maintaining the convenience of working close to home.

Interestingly, this shift towards co-working is not confined to downtown Chicago. IWG is opening more centers in the suburbs, reflecting the realization that not everyone needs to be in a centralized location. This trend is backed by data from CoworkingCafe, which reveals that there were 6,163 co-working spaces across the U.S. at the end of June, marking a 10% increase over the first quarter.

Chicago ranks fourth in the U.S. with 234 co-working spaces totaling 6.29 million square feet. This growth comes even as the city’s office market continues to struggle with high vacancy rates and an increasing inventory of subleases.

Beyond their geographic expansion, co-working spaces are also popping up in unusual places like health clubs, apartment complexes and retailers. This diversification reflects the demand for more flexible and convenient work environments.

A prime example is Life Time, a national fitness chain that opened a co-working space adjacent to its new athletic club at One Chicago residential tower in River North. There are now more than a dozen Life Time Work locations across the U.S., tapping into an apparent demand to co-work where you work out.

Another innovative example is BIAN, a high-end private wellness club located on the ground floor at 600 W. Chicago Ave. Initially launched as a wellness club offering yoga classes and spa services, BIAN has now added a 9,000-square-foot co-working space for its members.

BIAN’s co-working space offers members access to conference rooms equipped with video screens, a lounge area, private meeting rooms and even an electric height adjustable standing desk. This combination of wellness and work facilities provides a unique working environment that also fosters community โ€“ an aspect that many remote workers miss in their home offices.

As co-working spaces continue to evolve and diversify, they are emerging as a powerful solution to the challenges posed by the pandemic. Offering flexibility, convenience and community, these spaces are redefining the concept of work and paving the way for a new era of hybrid working.

author avatar
Guy Director
Higher Diploma in Mechanical Engineering. Ergomotion Director since 2005.

Google Reviews

Ergomotion

Google Reviews

Rick Bruce 02/11/24

Google
After doing some due diligence and research into actuators I settled on this unit from ergomotion this unit is so solid and the operation is quite and flawless. The purchasing process and the shipping was absolutely fantastic!! I couldnโ€™t be happier with the product and the entire process, I would highly recommend this companyโ€ฆ. Rick Bruce

Shelley Jensen 07/09/24

Google
Guy (the owner) delivered the desk and set it up quickly. He then gave me a lesson on how to use it and how to get the most out of it. Arrived on time and was absolutely lovely to deal with throughout the whole process. Highly recommend.

clifford sneider 06/09/24

Google
Guy was fantastic and the desk is amazing

Jo Manning 08/08/24

Google
I bought an adjustable desk from Guy a couple of years ago, got great service and good price. Recently we had a tiny issue which could not be fixed over the phone. Guy was more than happy to come out and look at it 2 days later. All fixed! I really appreciated his patience with me and accommodating us so quickly. Great old fashioned service and piece of mind. I love it. I know where to get my second desk when needed. Thank you Guy. Jo Manning

Deborah Hunt 25/07/24

Google
ergomotion were fantastic to deal with. excellent customer service and a great product.

Andrew Pieterse 14/06/24

Google
Great service and really quick shipping. It is great to know that you are getting quality parts from a Scandinavian manufacturer with your standing desk purchase rather than the cheap knock off stuff you get from other major brands. Reasonably priced for the quality too!

Janette Clarke 20/05/24

Google
Guy was very accommodating with meeting him at a time that suited me. He assembled the desk prior to me collecting so I only had to carry it inside with help (it's pretty heavy). The desk is great, the storage racks underneath with the 6 x built in powerpoints was worth the extra money. I have a functioning & tidy workplace.
Guy was brilliant, I highly recommend.
Janette

Nickel 10/05/24

Google
Have now purchased 2 stand up office desks off Guy, benchmark sales service from him, all via email, so easy; from quote to plug in, only matched by the strong quality of these machines, solid and stable. If only everything in life was this easy and reliable.

Jennifer Fadriquela 23/03/24

Google
I purchased an EDesk this month from Ergomotion, and it was a remarkably smooth transaction. Guy was eager to answer all my questions before my purchase. As a first-time buyer of a standing desk, I truly appreciated how he addressed my queries with thorough details and provided options within my budget.

The delivery process was also smooth, despite a slight delay in the ETA. Guy ensured I received all necessary updates from the courier/removalist.

I've been using the desk for a couple of weeks now and I'm satisfied with it. It's sturdy on all height adjustments and the motor works as expected. I also like oak finish because it's clean-looking and suits my room setup.

Overall, I'm happy with my purchase and I'll definitely recommend Ergomotion to someone looking for their desk needs.

Josh Oliver 04/02/24

Google
I've had an ergomotion desk for 10 years. It's still as good today as it was brand new. Over the years Guy has always responded promptly to any guidance I've needed (mostly help putting the desk back together after removalists take it apart).
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