Connecticut’s Thriving Co-working Spaces Make Revisions for New Normal

Co-working spaces are essentially shared workspaces. Occupants typically are freelancers, entrepreneurs, start-ups and small teams who want to take advantage of a flexible space. They generally offer affordable office space for those looking to “escape the isolation of a home office, or the local coffee shop,” as one co-working website described it. 

The number and variety of locations had been steadily growing across Connecticut, and now, after weeks of stay-at-home orders, co-working spaces are making adjustments to prepare for members and visitors to return.  The goal of building a community within co-working locations remains, but day-to-day routines  are being altered for safety and peace of mind.

The state Department of Economic and Community Development lists more than two dozen co-working spaces, of varying sizes and amenities, in communities throughout the state.  Included are Bridgeport, Groton, Guilford, Hamden, Hartford, Manchester, Middletown, New Haven, New Milford, Norwalk, Stamford, Stonington, Watertown, West Hartford and Westport.  Some cities have more than one facility, and some communities launching co-working spaces in recent years have yet to be added to the state’s official listing.

As re-open requirements make sitting shoulder-to-shoulder a thing of the past, and sharing coffee makers and copiers tougher to navigate, changes are in the works. 

One of Hartford’s numerous co-working locations, Upward, has announced that its 34,000 square foot workspace within the Stilts Building on Church Street downtown will convert to meet social distancing guidelines for companies soon returning to their location. In addition to their 29 private offices and open co-working space, officials explain that Upward is transforming many of their meeting and training spaces to serve as spacious offices with flexible terms for local companies and corporate teams seeking transitional, satellite, or overflow workspace upon lifted lockdown restrictions later this month.

“The future of work is flex, and we are here to serve the fast-changing needs of our community partners” said Upward Director of Operations Samantha Wanagel. “Now that company leaders are being forced to discover options as they solve multiple operational complexities, our facility’s unique offerings will prove more strategic than ever. Upward is an immediate solution, offering flexible terms and safe working conditions for those who need breathing room in order to make sense of their permanent workplace landscape.”

B:Hive in Bridgeport is located in a former bank building on Main Street in the city; Upward in Hartford has multiple floors in downtown Hartford, including space that was the former studios of FOX61.  The Drive co-working is located as part of the District facility on the outskirts of downtown New Haven in a facility that was previously part of a bus depot.  That space is in the midst of an expansion due to growing demand.

Bridgeport’s B:Hive has been open only for essential businesses, and they are preparing to reopen more broadly, with necessary social distancing and other safeguards in place, when it is appropriate based on state guidelines.

At SoNo Spaces in Norwalk, Space Partner Karl Heine reports that “We are following all the mandated guidelines from the State and also keeping a close watch on the surrounding states for insight. Our co-working environment has been altered and we have been keeping our community informed and are making changes to keep everyone safe. We’re finding that our private offices are more popular than ever.” 

In a recently published local interview, Felicia Rubinstein, founder of HAVYN in Darien, which opened a year ago and targets women for membership, said a Zoom Room was set up as shutdowns began but the space ultimately closed to comply with the local health lockdown.  Plans for reopening will be shared on the co-working space website when they are finalized. 

At Upward, directional signage throughout the facility will promote safe distances between members in common spaces, including stairwells and cafe areas. Seating throughout the space will be redesigned to encourage collaboration, but at a safe 6 foot distance, according to officials. Professional cleaning will continue on a nightly basis, with a heightened focus on contact points such as door handles, stair railings, coffee machines, elevator buttons, and other commonly touched areas within open and private spaces.

The Drive co-working space in The District New Haven has reconfigured spaces to allow for the recommended 6-feet per person social distancing.  Everyone is being required to wear a mask or cloth face covering in the common areas until further notice throughout the facility, meeting room capacity is being reduced, one-way markers are being added to narrow hallways, and the frequency of daily cleaning is being increased. 

In addition, they will be installing automatic openers for the main entrance doors to reduce touchpoints and main entry doors will be propped open during business hours.  Also, members have been advised that all staff, co-work members and their visitors, will have their temperature taken before entering, and anyone with signs or symptoms of a fever above 100.4 will be required to stay home. 

The steps are being taken “for the health of all of our community,” management indicated. 

Upward photo by Jade Soto.