Traditional coworking is broken and no longer serves workers or employers. There are many reasons for this. For one, traditional coworking is expensive, costing $200 to $700 per desk. It can also be lonely and boring, providing little vertical integration or activities outside of work.
Across the board, traditional coworking spaces are declining in popularity. In fact, 58% of coworking space operators report that fluctuations in membership are a top challenge. Only 7% of workers prefer coworking to traditional offices, emphasizing the problems of traditional coworking.
However, there are other options. The community coworking model is a good example. Tavern is a company pushing for this model, striving to create an affordable, inclusive, and community-focused movement that emphasizes social and professional experiences.
To achieve this, Tavern creates niche communities, schedules social activities such as communal lunches and happy hours, and partners with community organizers. Community coworking is a sustainable model, using underutilized space in bars, restaurants, and hotels to its advantage. This means that it has $0 real estate expenses, which sets it apart from traditional coworking.
While traditional coworking is no longer effective, there are other models of coworking that can build community and support workers. Community coworking in NYC is one of these models. It is less expensive and more social than traditional coworking, making it a promising arena for workers to connect and build community.
Source: Tavern Community