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20,000 square foot coworking / hackspace opens in Manhattan

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Re: 20,000 square foot coworking / hackspace opens in Manhattan

#11
Is this really a hackspace? I know it's a woolly word, but a hackspace seems like a different thing to a coworking space - less focused on building businesses, and more on making cool shit and the sense of community.

Sure there's overlap, but it seems to me the ideal time at a coworking space would be quiet crunching on your business, with some interesting people to chat to in the kitchen. The best times at a hackspace are when someone gets an idea, and someone else gets excited, and before you know it you're learning how to cast something in resin. The hackspace is the ideal "Third Space", whereas a coworking space is still ... work. Cool work, and hopefully pleasant and fulfilling to be at, but still work.

Re: 20,000 square foot coworking / hackspace opens in Manhattan

#12
post #3

It looks like their coworking space is by invite only and is currently full. Anyone know of any other good coworking/hackspaces in the NYC area that have space available?

AFAIK the "drop-in" membership isn't full yet, just the dedicated desks. The common space is beautiful and well-designed; there are details that aren't finished (I think more couches are going in soon) but the vibe is nice and I've already met some nice NYC folks there.

Re: 20,000 square foot coworking / hackspace opens in Manhattan

#16
post #11

Is this really a hackspace? I know it's a woolly word, but a hackspace seems like a different thing to a coworking space - less focused on building businesses, and more on making cool shit and the sense of community. Sure there's overlap, but it seems to me the ideal time at a coworking space would be quiet crunching on your business, with some interesting people to chat to in the kitchen. The best times at a hackspa…

It will depend on the space I believe, but both can definately have a community vibe, though the people they attract may be different. A hackspace may attract more of the "hacking/building/creating" crowd, but a coworking space may attract more business-type folks, like consultants and freelancers. The last group still may work together and network. Also, lots of coworking space host a variety of events, so you can get to know people and network.

Re: 20,000 square foot coworking / hackspace opens in Manhattan

#18
post #11

Is this really a hackspace? I know it's a woolly word, but a hackspace seems like a different thing to a coworking space - less focused on building businesses, and more on making cool shit and the sense of community. Sure there's overlap, but it seems to me the ideal time at a coworking space would be quiet crunching on your business, with some interesting people to chat to in the kitchen. The best times at a hackspa…

Yeah, nycresistor comes much closer: http://nycresistor.com

Re: 20,000 square foot coworking / hackspace opens in Manhattan

#19
post #2

Coworking is really gaining a head of steam. I use a coworking space in Seattle that I can't say enough good things about: http://officenomads.com . Great space, great community. Indispensable for those who could work at home, but don't want to.

Awesome! I'm also in Seattle- I'm not working for myself yet, but I might be in the future, in which case I'm really thinking about joining office nomads.

Do the people from similar disciples give each other help much? I like the idea of being around other programmers that I could query, but I'd feel guilty about wasting their Work time.

Re: 20,000 square foot coworking / hackspace opens in Manhattan

#20
In London, Islington there is "the Hub". A visit to that space a couple of years ago, as part of an introduction to the startup-scene by a friend of mine, was a very inspiring experience, that oddly enough made me decide to study in the UK :)

http://islington.the-hub.net/public/

(and they have multiple locations, including two in the Bay Area: http://bayarea.the-hub.net/public/)

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