There has been a lot of buzz and excitement in the neighbourhood when WeWork, a new office space for creator-types, moved into 33 Bloor Street East. But what is the big deal? I took a tour to find out.
Stepping off the elevator to the first of two floors that the Bloor-Yorkville WeWork location occupies, I am greeted with a neon sign that offers me a “High Five.” What better way to start your day with a high-five from an office space? I am told the sign depicts the floor we’re on. This is just one of the many unique décor items that entails the WeWork space. From retro phone booths, to Picasso-style paintings, WeWork seems to cover every time period, which perhaps appeases all of their members’ tastes.
WeWork is a platform for creators, providing more than 200,000 members around the world with space, community, and services through both physical and digital offerings. Opening their first location in 2010, they expanded and currently have more than 212 physical locations in more than 66 cities and 20 countries around the world, providing a global network of workspaces where companies and people grow together.
A membership is required to gain a space at WeWork, which starts at $45.00 USD/month, and includes one day a month of space rental. The “We Membership” provides access to their app and allows for connection with the tens of thousands of WeWork members. The We Membership plan allows you to book at any We Membership / Hot Desk friendly locations, worldwide.
WeWork occupies two floors at their 33 Bloor Street location. Offering private offices and art-filled common areas, to all-inclusive amenities and regular networking events. This particular week had a Civic Series Talk with CBC Executive Producer Greg Kelly, and a Screening & Panel Discussion for a new documentary hosted by Project Heal – Toronto Chapter. There are lunch sales, a run club and a one-hour networking break to connect and rejuvenate with other members.
Looking around, it seems like you need to be young and hip to consider a space at WeWork, but I am told differently. WeWork’s members are creators, who run the gamut from entrepreneurs, freelancers, and startups, to artists, small businesses, and divisions of large corporations. WeWork is not just for the under 35 crowd, as their members are a diverse set of companies of all sizes, in all industries.
I asked why did they choose Bloor-Yorkville for their second location. And, like many businesses the answer is simple. It’s easily accessible by transit, and the neighbourhood had the right combination of creatives and businesses that fit the membership perfectly.
Rates for space vary depending on a member’s needs. A Hot Desk starts at $450/mth. A Dedicated Desk starts at $700/mth and a Private Office starts at $1,000/mth. For full details of their rates, for the 33 Bloor St. E. location click here. Book a tour to see if WeWork is right for you, and your company.