After rebranding as The We Company, the largest co-working provider in the United States is introducing membership-free co-working spaces in retail areas.
The We Company’s latest endeavor is to maximize the use of flex space in Manhattan’s Flatiron District combining co-working spaces with retail by offering food, apparel, and stationery made by its member companies’ products.
The We Company describes its newest offering as a new town square center where people can come together to work, grow, support mission-driven products made by members.
Despite the jarring criticism the company received for pursuing its rebranding effort after SoftBank Group, it largest investor, drastically cut funding to $2 billion from an expected $16 billion earlier this month, the new project exemplifies one thing the co-working operator does exceptionally well- creating community.
“Everything we do at The We Company, from the spaces we curate to the service offerings we provide, is intended to create meaningful human connections,” said WeWork partner Julie Rice.
“Made by We was launched with a vision to connect the We community with the rest of the world, and provide people with the best on-demand workspace, services, and products, no membership required.”
Membership-free co-working pay by the minute pricing
With the new space comes expansive tables, modern sofas with 100 co-working workplace seats and private meeting rooms for larger groups which can be reserved online or by walk-in for a minimum of 30-minutes to an entire day.
The modern, bright space is equipped with racks of displays full of member merchandise and a café by Bluestone Lane, an Australian-influenced hospitality brand known for its coffee and personalized experience.
The pay by minute pricing for individual workplace seats starts at $6 for the first half hour and $0.20 per minute thereafter and goes up to hefty $65 for a full day.
Terrence Kelleman founder and president of Dynomighty, a New York-based company that makes tablet, laptop and assorted pencil cases, is among one of the member companies whose products are featured in the retail market.
“I’ve spent over a decade as an entrepreneur, and in the few years that I’ve been at WeWork, I’ve learned a lot about how to continue to grow my company, especially online, thanks to the great WeWork community and networking events,” Kellemen stated.
“I was thrilled to pitch my products to Made by We. Now I have a brick-and-mortar presence in the same community, which will continue to give me feedback and support my products throughout New York.”