Last year, Livability.com named The City of Frederick among the “Top 10 Remote Ready Cities in the United States.” With such a distinction, it is only fitting that Frederick is home to a number of cutting-edge cowork office models.
Coworking is an arrangement in which workers of different companies share an office space, allowing cost savings and convenience through the use of common infrastructures. Though fundamentally focused on addressing flexibility and affordability needs of each individual worker, cowork business models are widening their scope to tackle other challenges of the traditional workplace.
Below we explore four unique shared workspace models that are reimagining the office right here in Frederick.
122 E Patrick Street
The Unique Twist: Coworking + Coliving
Cowork Frederick is home to over 50 members and has been a landmark of the Frederick business community for nearly a decade.
This downtown cowork space is currently in the exciting final stages of a major expansion project which will offer new capacity and amenities to its clients. When the next-door expansion is complete, Cowork Frederick will offer 5,000 SF of office space (combined between the two buildings) and 500 SF of dedicated meeting / event space. With 3,000 SF of new living space and over 1,000 SF of outdoor recreation space, the expansion will also introduce an entirely new element of “Coliving.”
Coliving will offer flexibility and “plug and play” simplicity in a new way. Clients can stay overnight as short as a week or as long as a year — paying a service fee for a furnished sleeping room, utilities, and access to the coworking space below with all its offerings, including events. In the words of owner, Julia Ferguson “It’s kind of like a hotel + summer camp mashup.”
What Modern Challenge does Cowork Frederick Tackle?
We've always believed the challenge we address isn't so much of an office problem as it is an isolation problem.
People who strike out on their own as independent workers often find they lose momentum after the initial few months of excitement about their new work situation. While the autonomy is great, working alone is not good for you or your business. People need social interaction and businesses need fresh ideas, tough love, a wide range of skills, and a proper infrastructure to remain healthy.
We see our micro-apartments as a natural extension of what has been at the heart of what we do for nearly 10 years: community. Living onsite just expands the opportunities for connection into that community. Our space and activities are designed to encourage people staying in our micro apartments to spend time in the communal work and recreation areas. We will market the apartments for short-term rental for those looking to live, work, and play under one roof.
- Julia Ferguson, Owner
Explore Cowork Frederick here.
2. SL Studio
11 Byte Court
The Unique Twist: WORK + Wellness
As a personal trainer Hannah King noticed the patterns of poor work-life balance with so many people. This recognition inspired her to open a space where work and wellness is merged.
SL Studio offers amenities geared towards productive work and healthy habits, including: a functional fitness gym, mindfulness & meditation space, sit-stand desks, outdoor workspace, napping space, healthy snacks, and more! This cowork office currently offers 35 gym memberships, 25 coworking memberships, and will have 5 private offices available soon.
What Modern Challenge does SL Studio Tackle?
We work to solve the modern issue of work-life balance. Whether you are stuck inside an office from 9-5 or answering emails at 11 PM with no boundaries working from home – it is tough to find balance. The studio provides a flexible workspace with an uplifting community and amenities that support personal health.
We purposely created a space that helps to prioritize personal wellness in order to achieve more at work and in life. By merging work with wellness we created a holistic space for remote workers, but also for Personal Trainers and Health Professionals to run their own business.
Come find your balance!
- Hannah King, Owner
Explore SL Studio here.
3. The Shared Offices at Firehouse
12 W Church Street
The Unique Twist: ADAPTIVE REUSE Shared Space
The Firehouse located at 12 West Church Street in the heart of Downtown Frederick was originally constructed as a (you guessed it) firehouse in the mid-1800’s. The building was purchased in 2018 by a local commercial real-estate investment company, Ruppert Properties, and transformed into a unique modern workspace with historic charm and authentic character.
Today the property offers unique workspace options — including 8 private offices and 5 dedicated desks with a shared conference room and break area.
What Modern Challenge does The Shared Offices at Firehouse Tackle?
Downtown Frederick has evolved into a vibrant city center that offers so many opportunities to live and play, but we felt that that the downtown market had a lack of modern, Class A office space. We renovated the Firehouse in 2018 with the intention of blending the historic attributes of an older building with a modern office feel that companies want in one of the best locations in the City of Frederick.
We have always seen demand for smaller spaces in our downtown buildings, but the pandemic pushed that demand even higher with individuals that either no longer want to commute or just want an office to work from outside of their house. That lead us to create the Shared Suites at The Firehouse.
Flexibility is a big challenge for individuals and companies right now and the Shared Suites provide that flexibility. Unlike a traditional office lease, we offer six and twelve month terms on both our private offices and dedicated desks. This allows individuals and companies to adjust if their needs change in the near term. We also have a large Frederick portfolio that allows us to accommodate anyone that outgrows the Shared Suites.
- Julia Ruppert, Portfolio Manager
Explore the Shared offices at the Firehouse here.
4. SHIFT Work + Play
*Coming Soon
The Unique Twist: A Family-Friendly Workplace
SHIFT Work + Play will be Frederick’s first family-friendly coworking community —providing a modern workspace, supervised playroom and family-oriented amenities to telecommuters and small business owners with children.
SHIFT Work + Play is on track to open this Fall along East Street.
What Modern Challenge does SHIFT Work + Play Tackle?
As a lawyer and advocate with two children under age 10, I have experienced firsthand the challenges that come with juggling a career and parenting. The idea for SHIFT Work + Play arose one day when I was thinking about my many friends and colleagues managing back to back video conferences and children at the same time. My goal with SHIFT is to build a supportive community of small business owners and professionals where parents can network and get work done while their kids play in a safe, onsite environment.
After two years of the Covid-19 pandemic, more people than ever before are working from home, adopting flexible schedules, and starting their own businesses - and many of us are parents. Hopping on a Zoom call, taking a client meeting, or working on a key project while keeping our children entertained and safe is no small feat, yet conventional childcare options are not a perfect solution for many households. With a supervised playroom, comfortable lactation space, modern office conveniences, and a community of other working parents and families, SHIFT Work + Play will provide a space for parents to get work done and meet new colleagues and peers, all while their children are safe and having fun in the onsite playroom.
SHIFT is designed especially for small business owners and telecommuters with children, but anyone supportive of our family-friendly model is welcome to become a member and enjoy our modern office amenities and convenient location. In addition to private offices and meeting rooms, we will have a quiet work area located away from the playroom so that there are a range of options for our members.
- Megan Donovan, Owner
Explore SHIFT Work + Play here.
Interested in starting a business in Frederick? Contact The City of Frederick’s Department of Economic Development for more information at business@cityoffrederickmd.gov.