Coolest Work Space One Continuous Desk

The growing demand for coworking spaces signals not only the end of cubicle life, but the rise of a New Working Order. More than ever, we have to take our lives and futures into our own hands. We have to be for something great – not just against someone terrible. We have to spend our energy building the future – not destroying each other. We have to do more than coexist – we have to connect. And we have to do more than care – we have to create.

So Paste went from sea to shining sea in search of the coolest coworking spaces in the country. If anything has been made clear in recent weeks, it's that the brightest voices are those joined together in pursuit of possibility and inclusivity. Coworking spaces exist for passionate, collaborative people who want to gather, create, build and share their ideas & innovations with the world. A recent study by Stuttgart-based research organization Fraunhofer IAO found that the number of coworking spaces has doubled every year since 2006. Nearly half a million people are coworking in America and the number grows larger every day.

Most of the coworking spaces on this list create connection on limited, localized, member-supported budgets. Those backed by corporate sponsors are using funds to build on the basics, typically with after-hours activities focused on education, community building, and small business initiatives. Coworking spaces vary widely in focus, size, service and ambiance. Standouts are the ones offering flexibility, independence, accessibility and community connection. That last feature is key. According to Deskmag, successful coworking models lead to revitalization of forgotten buildings and, over time, can positively impact surrounding neighborhoods.

Paste narrowed the list down to coworking organizations that have been open for more than a year, focusing on atmosphere and variety of services offered. Check out our top picks and please share your coworking experiences in the comments. We especially want to hear from individuals and organizations using coworking spaces to mobilize grassroots movements.

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1. Alabama, Huntsville West

Designed for young entrepreneurs and startups, Huntsville West offers high speed Internet and Wifi, along with spacious meeting rooms. We like the low-commitment lease options and bright space full of modern chandeliers and comfy club chairs. huntsvillewest.com

2. Alaska, The Boardroom Anchorage

This massive office space in downtown Anchorage offers treadmill workstations and free local microbrews, not to mention copy & print services and airy conference spaces. theboardroomak.com

3. Arizona, CO+HOOTS

This collaborative space offers nothing less than you would expect in the thriving, connected city of Phoenix. Outdoor bike racks? Check. Superman Booths for those private phone calls and video conferences? You got it. Traditional fixed hours may turnoff the night owls (who should check out Gangplank instead), but regular special events and a host of members-only features more than make up for it. cohoots.com

4. California (Northern), The Urban Hive Sacremento

Rent a private desk, private office or regular access to shared coworking spaces at this Sacramento gathering place. If you need to impress a group, you're in luck. The Urban Hive not only has tricked out conference rooms (complete with drop-down HD projector screens). They also offer slow pour coffees, loose-leaf teas and kombucha on tap, in addition to serving both healthy (and unhealthy!) breakfast fare. theurbanhive.com

5. California (Bay Area), The Port Workspaces

Remember how we mentioned that turning forgotten buildings into coworking spaces can totally change a neighborhood for the better? See Exhibit A: The Port. Occupying three historic Oakland buildings, members include tech entrepreneurs, professionals and makers who are reinventing their shared community. If that's not enough to convince you to head west and spend 2017 turning your app ideas into reality, maybe the cheap membership rates at The Port will do it. No? What if you had access to a rooftop garden? 30-foot tube slide? Onsite coffee and craft beer? Oh, and you wanted a view of the water? Done. portworkspaces.com

6. California (Southern), Hera Hub Carlsbad

Designed for women-owned businesses, the Hera Hub founders are fanatical about creating workspaces that inspire focus and productivity. The Carlsbad space is designed for the senses, with live plants, aromatic candles, soft music, and standing desks among it's many offerings. herahub.com

7. Colorado, Green Spaces Denver

Located in the RiNo Arts District, Green Spaces Denver offers a space built with socially and environmentally conscious members in mind. The space has over 160 solar panels on the roof (offsetting almost 100% of the energy used by members). The Colorado coworking space also features handcrafted living walls and signage. greenspaces.com

8. Connecticut, The Grove New Haven

People who want to solve social, environmental and urban problems will fit right in at The Grove. Artists will appreciate the projector, white boards and resource library available to members, where entrepreneurs of all stripes will enjoy the collaborative ecology. Community members do everything from building mobile apps to community organizing in this tri-state area coworking space. grovenewhaven.com

9. Delaware, The Mill

If you're focused on the IoT space, The Mill in Wilmington is an innovation lab that should be on your radar. This coworking space may be better described as a startup incubator for creatives moving through early stage iteration and investment rounds. We're smitten with the old-school seating and raw wood everything. themillspace.com

10. District of Columbia, WeWork Wonder Bread Factory

Housed in a former bakery, this D.C. coworking space spans two light-soaked floors full of high-energy entrepreneurs. The outdoor patio is perfect for working during the day and networking at night. You can also connect with members in the videogame or brainstorming rooms, both of which are designed to foster unexpected collaborations. wework.com

11. Florida, The WaVE

A home for "talented techies", The WaVE has supported over 125 local startups, who in turn have raised over $20 million in investment capital and created hundreds of jobs in the Tampa Bay area. The coworking space-tech incubator hybrid is the real deal. Read more about the accelerator program and coworking space itself at tampabaywave.org

Full disclosure: I'm one of the many young creatives embraced by The WaVE during the incubator's early days. I worked on branding strategy as part of a student hackathon sponsored by the ad agency 22squared. Where creativity and connection through coworking are concerned – The WaVE made a true believer out of me.

12. Georgia, Strongbox West

Atlanta's favorite coworking space is absolutely massive – 49,000 square feet to be exact. The Box is quirky, inspiring and best of all, affordable. There are a wide variety of membership plans available, from drop-in rates to offices for teams of up to 10. Yes, teams can include four-legged members; to call this Atlanta coworking space dog-friendly is an understatement. We love the strong female leadership, out-of-the-box decor, and westside location. (See what we did there?) strongboxwest.com

13. Hawaii, The Box Jelly

Located in Kaka'ako Honolulu, The Box Jelly is Hawaii's first coworking space. Things to love? The #GetShitDone attitude, communal coworking spaces starting at $35/month, soundproof phone booths, an artist residency program, and crazy cool meeting & event spaces available for rent. Oh, and it's dog-friendly, too. theboxjelly.com

14. Illinois, Creative Coworking

24/7 key fob access makes Creative Coworking the perfect professional coworking space for grad students, entrepreneurs and creatives who want round-the-clock access to a collaborative energy. Like the original Creative Coworking space at Evanston, the new Colvin House coworking space will double as a local art gallery. Unique offerings include designated quiet zones, gorgeous task and natural lighting, and interns for hire (at $15/hour, natch). creativecoworking.com

15. Indiana, MatchBOX Coworking

A self-described "home for the creative class", MatchBOX is a place for people to work if they don't have a place to work. We're really into the industrial vibe. Part coffee shop, part office park, part old garage, Lafayette's coworking space welcomes moonlighting entrepreneurs, hobbyists, professional nomads, developers, designers, strategists, artisans, writers, makers and change-makers alike. matchboxstudio.org

16. Iowa, Gravitate

Still not sure if coworking is really for you? Not a problem at Gravitate in Des Moines. The friendly folks there will hook you up with a drop-in day pass or ten pack punch card, starting at $10/day. It gets you access to the kitchen, lounge and conference rooms. With a community of over 1,000 people focused on innovation in Iowa, you never know who you'll run into. gravitatedsm.com

17. Kansas, The Labor Party

Wichita is where it's at for indie midwestern creatives, and The Labor Party is dedicated to providing more than just a rented cubicle. A moderate membership fee gives access to the usual fare – shared or private workspaces, and conference rooms you can reserve in advance. But what really sets the space apart from other coworking spaces in Kansas is that The Labor Party ethos drives culture and connection around the neighborhood – through events like Final Friday art shows, Brown Bag Concerts, and regular parternships with restaurants, shops and entertainment spots in Old Town. labor-party.com

18. Kentucky, The Park Louisville

This members-only workspace is one of the most exclusive on the list – but is also one of the most beautiful. Open and flexible access to this sustainable Kentucky coworking space is available only after taking a tour and applying to become a member. The Park online application process is described as "picky". We recommend listing the name of an existing member who referred you. workatthepark.com

19. Louisiana, Launch Pad New Orleans

Events are the name of the game at Launch Pad New Orleans. Here's a random sample: BitCoin and Cryptocurrency Meetup, Louisiana Drupal Users, Women Entrepreneur Hour, Code for New Orleans, Hack Night and Pitch to the People. In fact, the communal meetup space has been so successful, it's expanding into a new, larger space in early 2017. lp.co

20. Maine, Think Tank

Think Tank Coworking spaces in Portland, Yarmouth and Biddeford are among the largest spaces for coworking in New England. Hundreds of members enjoy thoughtful amenities like Apple TV mirroring for presentations, standing desks, and whiteboard ideation stations, along with events like book launches, campaign fundraisers and pop-up concerts. thinktankcoworking.com

21. Maryland, Beehive Baltimore

The Beehive offers both individual and group memberships, which we see as the perfect solution for growing small businesses that don't need or want their own space. Terms are flexible and memberships are available for purchase online via PayPal. etcbaltimore.com

22. Massachusetts, Oficio Boston

Oficio is undeniably chic. Think massive bay windows, hardwood floors, and a super sleek fireplace. Dedicated desks, buzzing event spaces, meeting rooms available for rent by the hour or day, and rotating artworks from local artists make setting up shop in this Boston coworking space a wicked good idea. myoficio.com

23. Michigan, Blue 35

The Blue35 coworking space in Grand Rapids has an all-female staff connecting members and guests with workspace solutions for a day – or a year. Multiple floors of meeting spaces and conference rooms (not to mention a rooftop deck) are unique features for midwestern coworkers. The central location of this Michigan coworking space also makes it a great choice for small conferences, strategy sessions, team trainings and special events. blue35gr.com

24. Minnesota, Coco Minneapolis

COCO is a "dream accelerator" offering multiple coworking locations, meeting venues and events for dreamers, creators and doers. In addition to enhancing their flagship location, COCO is expanding at the downtown Minneapolis Grain Exchange Building to accommodate increased demand for collaborative coworking spaces in Minnesota. COCO is one of ten Google for Entrepreneurs tech hubs in North America. For good reason. We think it offers some of the most forward-thinking amenities of all the spaces on this list. Among them? A private mother's room for entrepreneurial moms, free access to Nice Ride bikes, and beanbag workstations. explorecoco.com

25. Missouri, Nebula

Fiber Internet meets Fido in this pet-friendly workspace. And when we say pet-friendly, we mean it. The vending machine is stocked with dog bones. No seriously. Nebulites call their 25,000 square foot space an "unconventional workspace for the unconventionally employed". But don't let the playful attitude, pool hall or pinball machine fool you into thinking this is a casual hangout spot. You'll find political activists, an indie record label and real estate revitalization companies among the multitude of members. nebulastl.com

26. Nebraska, Fuse Coworking

This space was started by the "Three Amigos of Coworking", entrepreneurial tech guys who had a vision for the small-but-mighty city of Lincoln. Fuse hosts regular yoga classes and happy hours, in addition offering courses in HTML/CSS, .NET, Javascript and JQuery, data analysis and other techie topics. Drop-in, desk and dedicated space membership options are available. fusecoworking.com

27. Nevada, Innevation Center

The Innevation Center is a 65,000 square foot collaborative workspace that was created and donated by Switch Founder and CEO Rob Roy. Membership is offered at a flat monthly rate that includes 24/7 access to the facility, conference room usage and a deep discount on event space rentals. The center holds 20 Meetups every month for people making colocation cool. Amenities like an onsite cafe, zen room and dry cleaning services don't hurt either. innevation.com

28. New Hampshire, Alpha Loft

New Hampshire isn't exactly where you'd expect to find a tech accelerator supported by the VP of IBM's Cloud Innovation Lab. But Alpha Loft incubates and accelerates startups across the state with locations in Durham, Portsmouth and Manchester. The emphasis isn't on amenities – it's on programming, events, advice and mentoring sessions. If your goal is to accelerate the development or funding rounds of an early-stage, scalable business model by joining a coworking community, look past the paint job and concentrate on the connections you can make at this New Hampshire coworking space. alphaloft.org

29. New Jersey, Mission 50

We're obsessed with the light-filled space at Mission 50. A terrific example of how coworking revitalizes old buildings, if you look closely you'll see original tilework and architecture typical of older Hoboken neighborhoods. Standing desks, wheelchair accessibility, Skype/Phone/Recording Booths and high-speed internet are just a few of the features bringing this New Jersey coworking space (and neighborhood) into the future. mission50.com

30. New Mexico, FatPipe ABQ

Why do they call it FatPipe? Let's just say it has something to do with the download speeds offered to members at this Albuquerque coworking space. The decor is best described as "cubicle cool", but what really makes FatPipe special is their partnership with a local credit union to sponsor startup entrepreneurs – covering the cost of three month's rent. fatpipeabq.com

31. New York (City), The Farm

HGTV meets IoT at The Farm. We love the brick walls, 16' ceilings and industrial lighting, to say nothing of the 1,000 mbps up/down internet speeds and partnerships with Amazon Web Services and General Assembly. There's 24/7 access for members in the city that never sleeps… but this engaged New York City coworking space also has a nap room… just in case. thefarmsoho.com

32. New York (Upstate), Syracuse Coworks

This coworking space in upstate New York is an anomaly, in that it is part of a larger communal complex. Commonspace is a unique, integrated live-work space focused on technology, community outreach and social connection through thoughtful interior design choices (like shared kitchens, for example). Syracuse Coworks itself functions as an entrepreneurial hub for Commonspace residents and non-residents alike. The amenities are standard fare, but thanks to simple rolling desks and ergonomic chairs, the space is endlessly configurable. We like the way the approach to interior design echoes the "anything is possible" innovation ecosystem ethos of this upstate coworking hub. syracusecoworks.com

33. North Carolina, Mojo Asheville

Mojo Asheville has been on the North Carolina coworking scene for many years and has always embraced a future built by independent small businesses. The simple, solution-focused mission really comes across in the pricing structure for members. Mojo Asheville offers a range of rates, from basic hangout-in-the-cafe pricing to event space rentals accommodating large groups. mojocoworking.com

34. Ohio, The Perch Short North

We like The Perch because the coworking community is made up of serious members. The modern space is filled with a consistent group of long-term entrepreneurs, remote workers and startups who enjoy 24/7 access to dedicated desk or office space, AppleTV and large monitor for presentations, and on-site parking. Located in the Short North neighborhood (not far from Italian Village and Downtown) this space is locally-owned and highly connected to the business community in Columbus. theperchshortnorth.com

35. Oklahoma, Commonwealth OKC

This Oklahoma coworking space is so simple but so stylish. We love the vintage flags, schoolhouse seating and highly-curated artwork on the walls. Commonwealth OKC hosts labs, lectures and other events serving a tight-knit community. Membership is by application, but it's a casual process: a quick email to the managing team can get you everything from a day pass hookup to a fixed desk space. Rumor has it they might even be open to putting your logo on the side of the building if you become a committed member. thecommonwealth.co

36. Oregon, TENpod

TENpod has been serving the Portland coworking community since 2003. Demand for coworking space in Oregon has grown so much that the team just opened a second location in St. Johns, and has plans to open a third location in 2017. Members enjoy 24/7 access, bike parking and standing desks. The TENpod conference spaces are intentionally designed to serve artists in the community and can be used for rehearsals, small video shoots and other creative endeavors. tenpod.org

37. Pennsylvania, The Candy Factory

The Candy Factory is a small community of highly collaborative, full-time freelancers, students and small business owners. Members like casual conversations that lead to immediate collaborations and ventures. New members get support and shout-outs on The Candy Factory website, and all members have access to large, ADA accessible workspaces, conference rooms and lounge areas. candyissweet.com

38. Puerto Rico, Piloto 151

Piloto 151 is the first coworking space in San Juan. Whether you're a remote freelancer or want to get a new project off the ground in Puerto Rico, this coworking space offers unique services like tax incentives, registered agent and incorporation assistance, fast-track permitting, and virtual receptionist & concierge services. Short-term walk-in rates and monthly memberships including shared or dedicated workspace options are available. piloto151.com

39. Rhode Island, The Hive

The Hive features business leaders, authors and financial experts as guest speakers, and hosts Power Lunch Tuesdays, weekly get-togethers where members share business ideas and drum up new partnerships. The North Kingston workspace is located in a renovated textile mill steps away from a greenspace where members take group walks, bike rides and runs through wooded trails. We love the original exposed brick and cozy, casual environment. thehiveri.com

40. South Carolina, SOCO

This South Carolina coworking collective is a great example of how forward-thinking founders are preserving historic architecture while building new gathering spaces. In addition to the standard fare, SOCO offers an online portal where you can learn about the background and business of each member before scheduling a tour or dropping in on a free day pass. soco-work.com

41. South Dakota, The Garage Rapid City

The Garage Rapid City is yet another coworking community that has converted a historic building – in this case, an auto repair shop – into a thriving gathering space. So how does it stand out from the crowd? Well, we're pretty sure that The Garage is the only place with a Chalk Artist-in-Residency Program. The space also offers a completely wireless workspace, free bicycles for wheeling around town, and a working bubbler. This isn't the first time The Garage has made it onto an exclusive list – the South Dakota coworking space is also listed on the National Historic Registry. garagerapidcity.com

42. Tennessee, TheCO

TheCO is a unique coworking space on this list because it offers a true makerspace for tinkers and prototype-makers. We'll let the tool list speak for itself: 90watt laser cutter, 12×20" etcher bed, CNC router, 3D Printers, Drill Press, and a Dual Bevel Sliding Laser Compound Miter Saw for good measure. You can get access to the tools, along with lightning fast internet, phone and meeting booths, patios and conference rooms, for under $100 a month. attheco.com

43. Texas, Capital Factory

Austin is one of the most coworking-dense cities in the world. We love Capital Factory because when it comes to connecting entrepreneurs, programmers and designers, this coworking space is in a class of it's own. In 2015, Capital Factory hosted over 32,000 people – counting coworkers and meetup, class & hackathon participants. Members enjoy treadmill desks (or massive beanbag chairs, depending on your level of motivation), 360 degree city views and a fully stocked kitchen. And if you need a place to do QA, research, development or customer support, Capital Factory has a pretty sweet Device Lab, too. If you're a designer or programmer and your 2017 priorities include building an MVP or finding VCs, get thee to Austin. capitalfactory.com

44. Utah, Church & State

Housed in a historic (renovated!) church in downtown Salt Lake City, Church & State is a no-strings-attached business incubator offering Utah entrepreneurs mentorship, training workshops, and resource partnerships. Organized as a 501 c (3) non-profit organization, this coworking space operates totally debt-free and offers both community-use space and entrepreneur resource center spaces for free or crazy cheap. The goal is building an ecosystem of free resources, support and connections to promote Utah as a business and cultural hub. cs1893.com

45. Vermont, Study Hall

This Burlington coworking spot offers up all the space, coffee and Wifi you need to #GSD. Perfect for students looking for a little more community than the local coffee shop can provide, you never know what kind of gathering will happen in the 1,400 square foot loft space located in – you guessed it – a historic 1890's building. In addition to serving the coworking community, Study Hall functions as a venue for musical performances, pop-ups, photo shoots and "revelry of all kinds". studyhall.space

46. Virginia, Studio IX

Studio IX invites entrepreneurs to work outside the box. The community of innovators includes freelancers and remote workers, but what we really dig is the way this Virginia coworking space adds kids to the coworking mix. Studio IX hosts Computers4Kids Entrepreneurship Pitch Nights, an opportunity for young entrepreneurs to practice their public speaking skills in a supportive, tech-centered environment. studioix.co

47. Washington, Fellow

Fellow welcomes part-timers and full-timers alike. It would be impossible to work in this space without getting inspired by existing members, like Food For All (a project working to improve local agriculture affordability and accessibility) or Terrain Spokane (a young arts organization that isn't quite ready for full-time office space). The Washington coworking space is all concrete, brick and light. Members don't have to look hard to find work-life balance at Fellow. In addition to shared and dedicated coworking spaces, conference rooms and meeting booths, the building houses a winery, coffee roastery, art gallery, whisky bar and yoga studio. workatfellow.com

48. West Virginia, The Hub Coworking

This West Virginia workspace offers all-inclusive general memberships for $100/month. Members can choose from traditional or standing desks, collaboration tables or lounge areas with wireless or hardwired Wifi. JMU student entrepreneurs will appreciate free snacks, bike storage and lockers for securing laptops. thehubcoworking.com

49. Wisconsin, The Docking Station

This Wisconsin coworking space targets both solopreneurs and small startups. Perfect for independent developers, technologists and salespeople who want a creative office space without a long-term lease commitment, The Docking Station offers 8-5 access to no-frills desks, conference rooms, and scanner/printer amenities with drop-in passes starting at just $10/day. For another $5, you can get a Nomad pass that lets you use the space five days a month and use The Docking Station as your business address. (They'll even hold your mail.) It's not fancy, but this coworking space connects the Green Bay community at an extremely affordable price. thedockingstation.net

50. Wyoming, Spark Jackson Hole

Last but certainly not least is the Wyoming coworking space Spark at Jackson Hole. The interior design, programming, and events center around Spark's mission to create a community inspired by the mountain lifestyle and values. True to form, member gatherings include Fun Rides, Shark Tank-style pitch days, and Small Business Innovation Research workshops. sparkjh.com

Emily Ray is Paste's Assistant Design Editor.

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Source: https://www.pastemagazine.com/design/50-coolest-coworking-spaces-across-the-country/

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