Back to work: Co-working spaces in our hood!!
When I googled the word “co-working spaces”, I stumbled upon this quote “We break down walls so that we can breakthrough in our business”. Indeed, the focus of co working spaces is as much on the "co" as it is on the "working. And while the underlying foundation is similar, each of these spaces is unique in the services they offer and sometimes, clientele they attract. What’s more is that these co-working spaces hold several interesting workshops and events that are open to non-members too for a nominal fee.
Team LocalHood hopes this guide of specifics of the co-working spaces helps you in your search!
1. The Hive Kennedy Town, The Hive Studios and Maker Hive
Spread across three floors, each with a unique vibe, The Hive is a very aesthetically done up space. To help members unwind, there is a “Sound Sauna” with a resting area. Interestingly, the sound system for the room was designed by a member.
The Hive Studios, with its upbeat vibe naturally attracts people in the creative field. It is equipped with a photography studio which also rounds up as an event space. Their flagship fashion event, Runway, a platform for budding fashion designers to showcase their craft, takes place twice a year and is attended by at least 200 people!
Maker Hive with its facilities such as a 3D printer, laser cutter and sewing machine enables designers to build prototypes.
Address & contact: 6/F, 8/F, 10/F Cheung Hing Building, 12P Smithfield Road, Kennedy Town, Hong Kong
Website: www.thehivekennedytown.com.hk, www.thehivestudios.com.hk, www.makerhive.com.hk
Email: kthosts@thehive.com.hk
Tel no. +852 24489830, +852 28178199, +852 24489033
Pricing details: Hot Desk: Part-Time HKD 2,000 for 10 Full days or 20 Half days (valid for 1 month); Full-Time HKD 3,200/month, Dedicated Desk: HKD 3,600/month, Private Office (3-20 persons): From HKD 5,500/month/person. Please contact them for more details/discounts for startups/early stage companies.
Upcoming events: Tuesday, 8th January 2019, 7pm-8.30pm - Start your New Year Off Powerfully by Nicole Lana Lee, Wellness Curator and Communications Coach. For more details, please see https://www.facebook.com/events/822790868051829/
Thursday, 10th January 2019, 7.30pm-8.30pm - A Night with Vivek – a comedy performance. For more details, please see https://www.facebook.com/events/259539568073941/
2. theDesk, Sai Wan
theDesk Community Director points out that they strongly advocate the concept of Inclusive Community building. “theDesk is like a blank canvas - it's the people who bring in the color”. The Desk has a minimalistic design and is spread across three floors; an outdoor space on the ground floor for events (including barbecues) and balconies on the top floor for members to de-stress or take private calls. To top it all, members can also take their pets to work! Apart from regular events and workshops, they facilitate networking by developing a variety of “Water cooler moments” and offering weekly “Tuesday Treats” and regular “Wine Down Fridays”.
Address & contact: G/F, 511 Queen’s Road West, Sai Wan, Hong Kong
Website: www.thedesk.com.hk
Email: paul@thedesk.com.hk
Tel no. + 852 37033360
Pricing details: Hot Desk: From HKD 3,200/month; Dedicated desk: From HKD 5,000/month; Private Office: From HKD 6,500/month/person. Please visit https://www.thedesk.com.hk/pricing/ for more details
Upcoming events: Wednesday, 16th January 2019, 7pm-9.30pm - theDesk Sai Wan Pub Quiz (free for members, HKD50 for non-members)
Yoga classes: Thursday, 10th January 2019, 1pm-2pm. For full program contact theDesk.
3. playground.work, Sheung Wan
True to its name and focus on creating a good work-life balance, playground.work has a bouldering wall and a gaming console for recreational purposes. It also has a shower facility to give members that added flexibility. The playground.work takes their coffee very seriously with baristas brewing fresh coffee for members!
The space attracts SMEs but that said, it doesn’t deny membership to start-ups and others. Members get access to ventures such as “Brewmasters” and “Next Academy” with which playground.work has partnerships. Brewmasters teaches coffee making and tasting, latte art and is open to both members and non-members for a fee. Next Academy conducts courses for SMEs and facilitates business introductions with their contacts.
Address & contact: 11/F, 21/F, 244-248 Des Voux Road Central, Hong Kong
Website: www.playground.work
Email: hello@playground.work
Tel no. +852 3897 9666
Pricing details: Hot Desk: From HKD 2,500. For pricing details for full-time and part-time desks contact playground.work, Dedicated Desk: From HKD 5,000/month
Upcoming events: Applications for the Next Academy program for SMEs and Business Tours to Vietnam open in 2019, please see https://nextacademy.hk/next-program/
4) Paperclip Startup Campus, Sheung Wan
Founded by a serial entrepreneur, Paperclip, apart from its vibrant co-work space, understands a startups requirement and caters to them by providing “Mentor Clinics” which are one-on-one sessions with industry experts. They also facilitate introductions to HK Science Park for incubation programs. Paperclip conducts various workshops; some of which are by members themselves. These Mentor Clinics and workshops are free or discounted for members, and there are also some free community events.
Address & Contact
: 3/F, Nam Wo Hong Building, 148, Wing Lok Street, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong
Website: www.papercliphk.com
Email: startup@papercliphk.com
Tel no. +852 35862888
Pricing details: Flexipass: up to HKD 1,800 for 10 sessions, Hot desk: up to HKD 1,400/month, Dedicated Desk: up to HKD 2,000/month, Private Office (can accommodate 3-4 members): please contact them for more details. Paperclip offers a two-day trial period for one to try out the space first before committing.
Upcoming events: Thursday, 17th January 2019, 6.30pm-7.30pm – Presentation Skills favoured by investors by Christian Masset, Public speaking trainer. For more details, please visit http://papercliphk.com/academy/
5) Hatton Jewellery Institute, Sheung Wan
Hatton provides jewellery designers a space to work at, a platform to show case their work and helps them in their marketing efforts and connects them with various brands in the city. For those of you wanting a sneak peek into jewellery making, there are short workshops to make festive jewellery such as for Christmas, Chinese New Year and even to make your own wedding band.
Address & Contact: 13/F, Cheong Sun Tower, 118 Wing Lok Street, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong
Website: www.hjiasia.com
Email: info@hjiasia.com
Tel no. +852 2857 7751
Pricing Details: Flexible Bench Rental: HKD 2,900/month, HKD 400/day for 1-day pass, HKD 1,800 for 5-day pass (valid for 3 months), HKD 3,400 for 10-day pass (valid for 3 months). Includes basic hand tools such as hammer, saw frame and files. Permanent Bench Rental: HKD 3,500/month (3- month contract), HKD 3,200/month (6-month contract), HKD 2,900/month (12-month contract)
Upcoming events: Please visit https://www.hjiasia.com/all-courses/ for a list of courses and workshops offered