Dallas-based Common Desk coworking operator makes Houston debut in East End.
Dallas-based Common Desk opened its first Houston venue in the East End and is on track to bring several other locations to area hot spots for commerce and creativity.
Common Desk brings its “all inclusive” brand of coworking and office suites to a 25,000square-foot space at 2339 Commerce St. on Nov. 2. The offices are part of The Block, a warehouse redevelopment by Houston-based Ancorian.
The industrial vibe and artsy community is reminiscent of Common Desk’s original location in the Deep Ellum neighborhood of Dallas, which opened in 2012. The space features open work areas, private offices, team suites, conference rooms outfitted with Zoom Room technology, a break area crafted out of a former loading dock, outdoor patios and a hospitality-style espresso bar with the company’s Fiction Coffee brand.
“We didn’t put any of our expansion plans on hold because of COVID,” said CEO Nick Clark. “When there’s a distributed vaccine, there will be a surge in demand for office on the flexible side of things.”
Clark anticipates companies that have traditionally thought of coworking as an option mostly for startups and entrepreneurs may take a closer look at spaces for projects or teams of employees.
“I think real estate directors and HR directors are starting to realize, our companies are doing just fine at home, but we need part-time space,” Clark said. “As leases are coming up for renewal, it’s our belief there’s going to be more and more companies interested in the idea of flexible space, on-demand space.”
The East End outpost incorporates a less dense layout than normal to allow for social distancing, Clark said. An office that may have previously housed six people, now houses four. Materials and surfaces were chosen that are easy to clean and sanitize. To keep it safe, the company conducts temperature checks and put cleaning and sanitation protocols in place.
Free parking, ease of getting in and out, and competition from coworking operators downtown factored into the decision to locate nearby in the East End, Clark said, adding that a location is in the works in Midtown.
Common Desk pricing is $250 per month for full-time shared space membership, including unlimited use of conference rooms. Part-time and student membership costs $150. Offices, which can accommodate from one to 15 people, start at $500. Prices vary for enterprise suites, which accommodate from 15 to 50 people.
Members have access to any of Common Desk’s locations in Austin, Dallas and soon San Antonio.
Common Desk plans to open a 29,000-square-foot office in a lakeside setting near the Galleria at 3040 Post Oak by year end. It is being developed in partnership with landlord MetLife and Stream Realty Partners.
The company recently inked a deal with USAA Real Estate and Patrinely Group to open on the first two floors of the 2500 City West building in the Westchase District in the spring.
Both the East End and Post Oak locations will offer a selection of large team suites, Clark said. They come with flexible walls that can be interchanged and moved around so companies can configure the space to their liking.