Make Spaces
International coworking space sets up newest Austin outpost at The Domain
There is some glamor in the freedom of a remote worker’s lifestyle. But running out of yoga pants, subsisting on leftovers, and realizing you haven’t used your voice once all day is not as cute. Spaces The Domain, coming to Austin in 2023, may break these remote work curses for many Austinites, as professionals settle into the new norm in one of the best cities for remote workers in the United States.
Spaces The Domain is presented in collaboration between workspace conglomerate IWG and Domain property group Simon; Spaces is in 466 locations worldwide and counting. The Austin area is already flush with coworking spaces (including three existing Spaces locations on Congress Avenue and near Braker Lane), but this one combines a huge global network with one of the most hospitable locales within city limits.
WeWork, the leading coworking space in the United States, seems competitive on pricing (with a more complicated pay-as-you-go system, although Spaces is still relatively affordable compared to many Austin competitors), and is also situated in The Domain, where a huge portion of Austin’s workforce lives, preferring not to drive downtown or farther to get some work done. Spaces, however, is not at the heart of a ridiculously well-publicized scandal represented by Jared Leto and Anne Hathaway, which turned many viewers off to the default company.
Spaces promises a custom design to suit the existing building and area, pointing out nearby businesses like Cap City Comedy Club, Punch Bowl Social, and a number of hotels in a press release. Workstations will remain customizable “with ergonomic furniture, private areas, adjustable-height desks, meeting rooms and 24-hour access.” Although Spaces may come at a small premium compared to nondescript smaller offices, the company’s size makes its system much more transparent and customizable when shopping around.
The release goes on to describe a potential savings of more than $11,000 per employee, per year, centering business heads over individuals like freelancers or solo entrepreneurs. Still, the pricing plan pans back to individuals, with unlimited, non-site-specific memberships ($255 per month) and even smaller commitments. The least expensive, a five-day monthly pass ($109) comes out to $21.80 per day — certainly more than a coffee, but likely less than a worker would spend buying a well-balanced lunch in a less-crowded restaurant, and without the awkwardness of having to relocate after a few hours.
“The Domain has always been a leader in innovation and bringing a co-working space to the property is another testament to our commitment to the live, work, play and stay environment we have curated for the north Austin community,” said Simon exec Patrick Peterman in the release.
More information about Spaces (not including Spaces The Domain, which has not yet been added) is available at spacesworks.com.