For freelancers, small business owners, and creative entrepreneurs, working from home can seem like a dream come true at first. But after one too many days in your pajamas, it can become a boon to creativity and, with no one to chat with by the water cooler, it’s not long before the homeworker blues set in. Not to mention, when it comes to meeting with clients or expanding your operations, the dining room table may no longer seem like the ideal workspace. The rise of co-working spaces has solved this problem, allowing you to rent as much (or as little space) as you need, either on a monthly basis or through subscription programs that allow you to use desks on an ad hoc basis without the overhead of a regular office. You’ll benefit from working around other creative, passionate individuals and enjoy the amenities that Toronto’s top co-working spaces have to offer.
Workplace One
Workplace One has three locations: Queen West, King East, and King West. They offer a variety of office sizes equipped with workstations, desks, and chairs. Each location has a modern, thoughtfully designed aesthetic and their members enjoy access to a full kitchen, coffee bar, friendly reception, and printing services.
MaRS Commons
Part of the innovative MaRS Discovery District, the commons offers state-of-the-art office, co-working, and laboratory spaces among a diverse group of carefully curated tenants. Housed within a 20-storey LEED® Gold standard tower, MaRS Commons connects entrepreneurs in the IT, communications, and entertainment industries by providing co-working space for high-potential start-ups — but it’s an exclusive group and requires an invitation to move in.
Centre for Social Innovation
CSI is specifically designed for organizations focused on changing the world through economic, environmental, social, and cultural innovations, whether they’re nonprofits or for-profits. Artists, entrepreneurs, activists — everybody’s welcome. With locations in the Annex and Queen West, as well as a new location in NYC, their buildings are designed around shared spaces with private offices, private desks, and ‘hot desks’ available depending on an organization’s needs. More than just a workspace, CSI is a community hub offering consulting services and speaking engagements to aid in the creation of innovation and change.
iQ Office Suites
The iQ Office Suites are characterized by the chic, modern design of their interiors. With locations in the historic Dineen Building and the Bank of Canada building, their central locations make them ideal for Toronto’s busy entrepreneurs. Their commitment to flexibility means they’ll create an office rental solution tailored to your business.
Network Orange
Located above the Tangerine Downtown Cafe on Yonge Street, Network Orange offers entrepreneurs space to grow their businesses and work with one another around the common goal of improving the City of Toronto. Based on a model of community and collaboration, Network Orange members shape the growth and direction of the space, while using it to reach their individual goals.
If you work in a shared office space, let us know in the comments below or tweet us @ViewTheVibe.
