Working It

The 17 coolest coworking spaces in Austin for getting stuff done

As Austin’s population continues to rise, an onslaught of professional transplants are left to work in crowded coffee shops turned makeshift office spaces. Sure, the free WiFi is nice, but the struggles to find parking, ample desk space, and a quiet place to take important phone calls are all too real. Luckily, a variety of coworking spaces have popped up in the 512 to offer a much-needed respite to chaotic communal venues.

We’ve rounded up the coolest coworking places in Austin to help you stay on track and get stuff done. Root yourself in a permanent office space or pop by and hang with fellow creatives in shared working spaces designed to foster productivity and, of course, profits.

CRAFT
Where: East Austin
What: Makers are invited to pull up a seat at CRAFT. This wide-open studio is located less than 10 minutes from downtown and offers seating accommodations for 40 crafters and up to 200 standing guests. Guests are encouraged to mix, mingle, and create with fellow makers. Membership includes tables and shelves for use and an extensive library of DIY supplies and tools to create metalworks, jewelry, and more. Not a crafter? No problem. CRAFT offers walk-in coworking for all. Budget-friendly coworking hours are Monday through Friday.
Cost: $10 for a limited time

Duo+Works
Where:North Austin
What:This North Austin coworking space offers 24/7, full-time access to best suit any busy schedule. Memberships include coworking, reserved desk, and office options. Perks like weekly community breakfast, hot beverages, and mail delivery services are also included.
Cost: $125-$850 per month

East Side Collective
Where: East Austin
What: This spacious venue is ideal for designers, builders, developers, and engineers. The 1,500-square-foot space is comprised of offices for small businesses and creative professionals. Amenities include a library area, innovative conference room, beer, and exclusive events. Day passes, dedicated desks, and non-dedicated desks are available with membership. East Side Collective is also dog-friendly, so you can bring your furry friend to work to keep the creative juices flowing.
Cost:$250-$500 per month; $25 per day

Fibercove
Where:South Austin
What: Keeping productivity high and costs low is more than feasible at this South Austin shared space. Customizable monthly drop-in plans are available for traveling professionals. For those who prefer to stay long-term, Fibercove offers standard membership, dedicated seats in open coworking spaces, and dedicated desks in an office suite.
Cost: $400-$700 per month; $35-$250 a month for drop-ins

Greenway Central
Where: North Austin
What: Greenway Central is the ideal shared workspace for entrepreneurs and independent professionals seeking a haven from the busy coworking spaces of downtown Austin. Membership options range from dedicated desks to private offices and include access to a 12-person conference room. Additional perks include unlimited printing, mail delivery addresses, free parking, and member happy hours.
Cost: $450-$1,500 per month

Impact Hub Austin
Where: South Austin and North Austin
What:Let your creativity run wild at the spacious Impact Hub locations. Options include coworking, dedicated desks, shared workspaces, and private offices to best fit your business needs. Amenities include yoga and meditation classes, an on-site car wash, fair trade coffee, monthly events, daily office supplies, and more.
Cost: $35-$500 per month; private offices vary by size

Industrious
Where: Downtown
What: Industrious is a stunning shared space located in the bustling Warehouse District. Professionals can enjoy floor-to-ceiling windows, indoor parking, common areas, a mother’s room, coworking spaces, and private offices in the heart of downtown. Other fun perks include relaxation rooms, locally sourced treats, parties, and more.
Cost:Desk rentals starting at $545 per month; private offices starting at $972 per month

Link Coworking
Where: North Austin
What: Pick your productivity preference at three locations within close proximity to one another at this über cool coworking spot. Link Coworking is part of a global network of shared working spaces, offering members access to other offices when they travel. Amenities include outdoor courtyards, premium coffee service, free parking, a koi pond, special discounts to local businesses, and iconic eateries within walking distance.
Cost:$150-$450; office space starts at $1,000

MELD Coworking
Where:Central Austin
What: Akin to its name, MELD offers a shared space within a 100-year-old house to provide a “home away from home” designed for getting things done. Enjoy comfortable work stations like standing and sitting desks or pop into a meeting room for collaborative projects. Membership perks include complimentary monitors, free snacks and drinks, and exclusive after-hour events. Punch cards are also available and grant three-month access for the drop-in professional.
Cost: $240-$400 per month; $25 per day

Native Hostel
Where: East Austin
What: Native Hostel isn’t just for nights out anymore. The east side hostel offers up an inviting alternative to your standard coffee shops and coworking spaces complete with must-have amenities for the hard working college student or professional on a budget. Stocked with comfortable couches, communal spaces, on-site parking, drink specials and free WiFi, the hostel is ideal for hosting meetings or getting work done solo.
Cost: Free

Austin Central Library
Where: Downtown
What: Since its massive redesign and re-opening in 2017, the new Austin Central Library is an architectural wonder designed to spark ideas, collaborations, and creativity. Austin residents can reserve one of the many shared learning rooms available for meetings, study sessions, or hitting project deadlines. Plug into TV monitors and videoconference colleagues or connect to AirPlay for presentations.
Cost: Free with reservation

Noah Marion Studio
Where: South Austin
What:Handmade goods retailer Noah Marion has transformed half of his store into a place for innovators to get things done. The super modern space includes a conference area, open seating, and ample room for a company party or event. Perks include snack and drink offerings and its bustling South Lamar locale provides plenty of distractions whenever you need a break from the grind.
Cost:Contact for pricing

The Raven + Lily Collective
Where: North Austin
What:Raven + Lily opened its all-inclusive coworking space for women earlier this month. Membership includes free printing, conference spaces, art supplies, fair trade snacks, and special discounts on events and workshops. Enjoy an exclusive discount off the Raven + Lily boutique and celebrate the end of a busy work day with a little retail therapy.
Cost: $195-$295 per month; $20 for a day pass

The Refinery
Where:Downtown
What: The Refinery is a multipurpose space designed to “foster connections between creative individuals doing incredible things.” After hosting several SXSW and conference events since its opening last year, the space has become a hub for influencers and professionals looking for a bright, engaging work environment. Members and non-members can take advantage of a photography studio complete with props, equipment, and lighting or conference rooms at affordable hourly rates. Open seating, dedicated desks, and private office spaces are also available.
Cost:$300- $450 per month; contact for private office rates

Relay Coworking
Where: East Austin
What:Relay Coworking, located at The Center for Innovation, is a social ecosystem and shared space specifically for nonprofits, incubators, universities, and advocacy groups. In an effort to curb the anxiety (and major bill) that comes along with finding a long-term office space, Notley and Springdale General have created a coworking campus at affordable rates to help your organization get off the ground or sustain success. Relay Coworking's 10,000 square feet of solar-powered coworking community includes Car2Go parking, on-site food and coffee options, and 24/7 access. Options include a mix of office suites, private studios, conference spaces, dedicated desks, lounge areas, and more. Bonus? It's dog-friendly.
Cost:$299-$399 per month; contact for private studio rates

Vessel Coworking
Where: North Austin
What: Vessel is an ideal hideaway for professionals who work most efficiently in a quiet, relaxed environment. Located on the second floor of the For the City Center, amenities include free snacks, private phone booths, spacious desks, Cuvee cold brew on tap, and even a Slack support account for any on-site needs.
Cost: $195-$375 per month; $25 per day

Work Well
Where: East Austin
What:This east side space is a haven for wellness-oriented creatives and professionals. Work Well offers a range of membership packages designed with wellness standards in mind to ensure members are at peak efficiency. The newly designed coworking space is filled with plants, standing desks, and natural light to foster the spirit of productivity. Additional amenities include an outdoor recharge area, putting green, lounge, dedicated desks, private offices, and large private offices housed in recycled shipping containers.
Cost: $350-$3,000 per month

Enjoy cool coworking vibes, drink specials, and free WiFi at Native Hostel.

Photo by Charles Reagan

Enjoy cool coworking vibes, drink specials, and free WiFi at Native Hostel.

young-professionals

SKIN IN THE GAME

Renowned Hill Country tattoo artist inks new sacred geometry app

Photo courtesy of Dillon Forte

Dillion Forte at his "tattoo ranch" in the Texas Hill Country.

In the world of tattooing, there may seem to be few better rat traps left to build, but Dillon Forte aims to change that. In October, the renowned Wimberley-based tattoo artist and entrepreneur introduced a new iPadOS app to bring ancient symbology into the digital age.

Forte has made a worldwide name for his black dot work (a contemporary take on stick-and-poke techniques) and ambitious undertakings like tattooing underwater and opening a “tattoo ranch.” His ink appears on Usher, Chris Hemsworth, and Kehlani.

Still, he is most recognized for his sacred geometry designs, using patterns to convey various meanings. His interest led him to create the Sacred Geometry Drawing App, a convenient way for novices and experts to develop and export their creations.

The app grew out of his own practice. Over the past decade, he has used tablets and freehand techniques to achieve his highly symmetrical artwork but grew to realize existing tools were not always easy to use.

“The app is an attempt and fulfillment of my desire to make sacred geometry accessible and bring the ability to create into the fingertips of as many people as possible,” Forte tells CultureMap via email, adding a tagline: “symmetry made simply.”

He says he wished the app was available when developing his signature style as a tattoo artist, but it was designed with a broad range of users in mind. He hopes that designers, educators, and artists will find a use for it.

A short intro to the app's capabilities is available on YouTube. It looks like a standard drawing app, starting with a blank canvas and some tools like pens, pencils, colors, and of course, straight line and dot makers.

A "symmetry index" anchors the functionality and expands it to something between 2D art and 3D modeling. In addition to generating shapes like repeating patterns and spirals, the app also creates 3D shapes with grids, so that the artist can map their design in real space or even create sculptures. There is also an index for explaining the spiritual meaning of some standard designs.

“Geometry often prompts an intimidating feeling when it comes to making art,” Forte continues. “The fundamentally complex and often academic nature of math-based art can induce a sense of fear in the potential user instead of creating a sense of awe. The purpose of the sacred geometry app is to cultivate the latter."

Creatives interested in constructing their own geometric masterpieces can download the app at the App Store for free, and in-app purchases are available.

technology apps tattoos arts