You may be looking for a place to work that is not your living room. Or, you may be starting up a company and want to have a nice space to work in while you are figuring out your next step.
Office space in Chicago costs are at a high right now and building your own office space takes a lot of time and money. One option that is now available to you is coworking.
Coworking involves working in an already established space with other people. You can still have your privacy but at a lower cost. Here are fifteen of the best coworking spaces in Chicago.
Second Shift
Second Shift offers a space where people can come together to work and collaborate on ideas. They offer individual desks, group tables, or quiet seating.
They also have meeting spaces and phone video booths. 2nd Shift has a network of community support to help you get started and see your way through creating your own business. They have team workspace, open coworking, dedicated desk, and lite coworking memberships with some add ons.
The dedicated desk membership includes 24/7 access, private space, a mailbox, and more. Member benefits include individual entry code, events, member led programming, unlimited Dark Matter gourmet coffee, tea, and snacks, member list, and member wall.
2nd Shift has five private phone booths, two semi-private meeting areas, open area kitchen, five private conference rooms, board games, printing, faxing, scanning, and an ideation station which has a thinking bench and white board.
All of this is enclosed in a friendly atmosphere with well lit spaces and skylights which provide natural lighting throughout the day.
Novel Coworking
With five different locations in Chicago Novel Coworking has a lot to offer entrepreneurs just starting out. The membership levels  include dedicated desks, coworking membership, office space, and office suite.
All membership levels include 24/7 access 365 days a year. Membership also includes mail service, paid utilities, complimentary access to nationwide locations, and complimentary coffee, tea, espresso, and beer.
Amenities also include high speed internet, smart buildings, fully furnished, member directory, high speed printers and on sight management. Dedicated desks have your company logo displayed on the desk, WiFi access, and an under the desk secure cabinet, Office spaces for one to twenty people include your logo on the office door, all the amenities of the coworking and dedicated desk memberships, plus indoor bike racks and showers.
Office suites come with all the amenities already listed plus kitchenettes and conference rooms. The suites are up to 11,000 square feet of private space.
Novel Coworking also offers Lunch and Learn presentations, networking events, and community happy hours to allow members to network with other members across a wide variety of industries.
1871
1871 was named after the year of the Great Chicago Fire. It encourages new digital startups to build and thrive within its walls. 1871 has three main membership levels.
1871’s night and weekend level is good for someone starting a business on the side. This level includes access from 5pm-8pm Monday through Friday and all access on Saturday and Sunday, shared office workspace options, and two available office hours or workshops during the week.
The shared level is perfect for early stage entrepreneurs. This level offers an open and collaborative environment with 24/7 access. Reserved membership is the next level.
It is ideal for companies that are growing with two to eight staff members. This level includes all the amenities of the shared level plus your own dedicated workstation with locked under desk storage, and additional reserved area conference rooms.
There is also a growth stage membership and a designer and developers membership. All memberships come with mentorship programming, consulting services, enterprise software, food and drinks, development services, office products, service and hosting, health and leisure, abundant seating, podcast studio, standing and treadmill desks, nursing room, high speed internet and printers, free Bevi sparkling water, conference rooms, event space, laundry services, locker rooms, communal kitchens, and more.
1871 also offers in house services such as 401k benefit option, business development consulting, health benefits exchange, PR, media, and communication support, and more.
1871 also offers their own small business launching system that will help you take your small business to the next level.
Room to Grow
Room to Grow offers space for people to stop by or stay awhile and get their work done. Their membership levels include a day pass, flex level, and dedicated desk.
A day pass entitles you to work one day from nine to five. It also includes high speed internet plus all amenities and phone booth access. The flex level includes twelve visits per month plus everything the day pass offers. You also have access to an open desk and six hours of conference room access.
The dedicated level includes 24/7 access with a personal key. All of the amenities plus reserved desk, unlimited conference access, discount event space rentals, and virtual business address and mailbox services. Management is available to all levels. There is a fully equipped kitchen with a microwave, coffee, drinks, and tea.
There are also conference rooms which can be rented by the hour and a 2000 square foot event space where you can hold Lunch and Learns, special events, and happy hours. Rooms to Grow offers comfortable seating with natural lighting, private phone booth, power strips and outlets for all your computer needs, and elbow room.
Free Range Office
Free Range Office offers eight levels of membership. They have a day pass which offers you access to their gourmet kitchen, free WiFi, and complimentary tea and coffee.
The Virtual Office level includes mail concierge, a business address, two hours of conference room time per month, and access to Free Range events. Their Part Time membership includes five visits per month from 9am-5pm, free WiFi, networked printing, fax, copying, and scanning, complimentary beverages, exclusive access to educational and networking events, and access to the gourmet kitchen. The Mobile Membership has all the benefits of the Part Time membership. You can access Free Range 24/7 for 10 days a month with free WiFi.
Club membership includes unlimited visits, reserved desk and storage, 24/7 access, complementary committee room usage, receiving mail and packages, gourmet kitchen, and access to educational and networking events.
Dedicated Desk membership includes 24/7 unlimited visits, reserved desk and storage, package and mail reception, free WiFi networked printing, scanning, copying, and faxing, gourmet kitchen, access to networking and educational events. Office Pod level includes everything the Dedicated Desk membership has but your desk comes with shelves in a private pod.
The Private Office level include the same amenities as the Office Pod level, however you will have access to a furnished office with desks, chairs, storage, lamps, and a dedicated ethernet line. There is plenty of space with natural lighting available for your needs.
25N Coworking
Club 25N is the first level of membership. It includes access to member only events, networking, development tools, member spotlight blog, feature on membership wall, social media exposure for your events, host one free workshop or event per year, and third party specials and discounts.
A Shared Flex package includes access to Flexworkspace with high performance chairs and desks. Complimentary coffee, and WiFi. The Dedicated Desk level includes reserved workspaces with high performance desks and chairs, storage space, WiFi ethernet, phone booths, cleaning service, and 24/7 accessand Club 25N.
The Private Office level includes all that the Private Desk level includes but with an office area with your own private desk, storage, and other fixtures. You also have a door on your office. This level also includes copy/print/scan services, lunch delivery, event spaces, and meeting rooms.
At 25N Coworking you will also find a community cafe and break room, brainstorming walls, private phone booths, mentorship opportunities, complimentary teas, coffee, and water, LED presentation monitors, AV equipment, and online booking.
In addition 25N Coworking offers different meeting rooms, some with a twenty person capacity. There is also a HUB event space and a rooftopevent space available.
The Wing
The Wing is a coworking space that is woman focused. Their membership fee includes bookable conference rooms, a beautiful workspace, a thriving digital community, free drip coffee, beauty rooms, events, pump rooms, a woman focused library, in-house cafe, changing stations, phone booths, WiFi, and a friendly and warm staff.
The Wing is also dedicated to helping women and girls throughout their community and they offer a scholarship program.
The Wing offers professional mentoring, networking, bonding, and friendship circles. The Wing is open to anyone. Their mission is to help boost women in business. In their Chicago coworking space they also offer beautiful city views, a local sourced menu, and a quiet room.
Serendipity Labs
Serendipity Labs is located in the Loop. They have different membership levels with different amenities. The first level includes Dedicated Desk which includes a reserved desk, Dedicated Office for one to two people, and Dedicated Team Room for three to ten people.
Included at this membership level is nightly cleaning, guest reception, concierge service, 24/7 access 365 days a year, complimentary dop in access to Worklounges, Enterprise grade WiFi, complimentary coffee and access to premium snacks, secure printing, access to Focus Rooms, access to retreats, ergonomic task chair and desk, access to Cafe.
The other level of membership includes Coworking 1 which includes one visit a month, Coworking 5 which includes five visits per month, Coworking 10 which includes ten visits per month, and Unlimited Coworking which includes unlimited visits.
Benefits on this level include secure access to Cafe, WorkLounges, Focus rooms, and retreats during business hours, complimentary coffee and access to premium snacks, guest reception and concierge services, secure printing, Enterprise grade WiFi, discounted additional Lab visits, extended hours and weekend access available for an additional charge.
This vibrant location has curated local art on display.
The Chicago location also has lockers, bike racks, free fruit infused water, tea, and coffee, and discounts at local companies including Poetry Garage, DoorDash, Urban Leash, and more. Serendipity Labs has and ideation studio, a virtual lab, and a boardroom for additional meeting spaces.
TechNexus
TechNexus has 50,000 square feet of space in its Chicago location.
There is coworking space, office space, and event space. The coworking space includes access to huddle rooms and multiple coworking areas, and access to TechNexus amenities not including the conference rooms.
TechNexus office space includes dedicated and secure offices, access to all TechNexus amenities, the ability to scale up to suites of thirty, network perks including BizSpot, AWS, and HubSpot memberships. T
echNexus amenities include gym access, flexible hours, podcast studio, entrepreneur community, kitchen and dining, roof deck, business mail address, corporate partnerships, mothers room, conference rooms, secure storage, concierge service, flexible terms, collaboration, and recreation.
They also have modular meeting rooms available for rent with a view of the skyline and natural lighting. You will receive guidance from established entrepreneurs who will help your business grow.
Writers Workspace
This is a coworking group dedicated to writers. All fiction, non-fiction, freelance, and other writers are welcome to apply. The Writers Workspace also accepts applications from lawyers and other professionals who want a quiet spot to sit and write.
Once your application is accepted you have three levels of membership to choose from. You can get a ten day pass, a part-time membership, or a full time membership.
Full time membership will give you access from 5 am until midnight 365 days a year. Part time membership has access in the mornings and evenings during the week and from 5am until midnight on the weekends. All memberships include the following amenities laser printer and photocopier usage, day use of storage lockers (if you want a lock that is available for a small fee), WiFi access, access to special events, coffee, tea, and water, a fully stocked kitchen, discounts on workshops, and resource library.
All membership levels have the opportunity to host their own book groups, workshop opportunities, or special events in the conference room. There is keycard access to the Writers Workspace. Within the Writers Workspace you will find a lounge where you can sit and chat while reading various reference material. There is also a writers studio were talking and cell phones are not allowed.
It is a quiet space with plenty of desks and ergonomic chairs where you can sit and write in peace. There is also a private one person studio where you can have limited access to your cell phone.
You are also welcome to write in the kitchen at the counter. Lockers, seating, and bike storage is all available on a first come first serve basis.
Ampersand Cowork
Located in the Logan Square neighborhood, Ampersand Cowork has three levels of membership plus a day pass option.
The Hot Desk membership offers you desk space in the communal coworking area. You will have access to Ampersand Cowork from 9am-5pm.
The Dedicated Desk membership allows you to choose your own desk which you can decorate how you like. You also have 24/7 access to Ampersand Cowork. The Private Office membership level includes an office with three to five desks. The office comes work ready and is customisable.
Conference room time and a standing desk option are included with both the Private Office and Dedicated Desk memberships.
There are other amenities available to all members including a rooftop desk with a picnic table, grill, and WiFi, private phone room, bicycle storage, printing, scanning, mail service, and secure storage. With Ampersand Cowork’s prime location you have access to public transportation, great food, and bars.
There is always art hanging in Ampersand Cowork thanks to the bi-monthly emerging artist exhibits which will make a great backdrop to your workday.
Industrious Office
Industrious Office provides workspace for up to 100 people. Despite its size Industrious Office still has room for individuals who want to cowork.
All eight locations in Chicago vary in membership availability and amenities. Some of their membership offerings include community memberships, office space, and suites.
Not all locations have these offerings but for those that do the community membership generally includes flexible seating in a common area or a locked office with a private desk and access to shared amenities. For teams of one to nineteen, private offices are available.
This is an enclosed space with desks or a table and Herman Miller chairs. Suites are an upgraded private office with dedicated space located in a premium coworker area.
Herman Miller chairs furnish these private entrance with reception areas. All of the levels have 24/7 access and a nationwide network in all of the locations. Amenities vary by location. The Industrious Center Loop location offers dining options, outdoor space, fitness center event center, mail and packaging, wellness rooms, color printing, ultra fast WiFi, daily breakfast and snacks, on site staff, phone booths, and more. This is their premium workspace in Chicago with panoramic views.
The Ogilvie location includes retail, dining options, event space, concierge service, fitness center, mail and packaging, color printing, ultra fast WiFi, wellness room, onsite staff, breakfast and lunch, and more. The Ogilvie location is a 40 story glass building on top of the train station. It features a bird’s eye view of Chicago’s historic landmarks.
The Fulton Market location is located in the creative hub of the West Loop. This dog-friendly location offers outdoor space, retail, fitness center, conference rooms, mail and packing, wellness room, office supplies, breakfast and snacks, craft coffee, networking events, and more. This location boasts a modern warehouse aesthetic with plenty of natural light and exposed bricks.
Their West Loop location is located on the ground floor in a renovated Daniel Burnham building. This dog friendly space has a wellness center, conference rooms, onsite staff, phone booths, daily breakfast and snacks, and more. This thoughtfully designed space is all about your productivity.
Providing instant access to the waterfront and downtown the Evanston location has a renovated lobby, ultra fast WiFi, lounge and common areas, mail and packaging, phone booths, wellness room, daily breakfast and snacks, and more.
This warm office space is designed to boost your productivity. The Gold Coast, Wicker Park, and River North locations are smaller and dog friendly. They all offer daily breakfast and snacks, office supplies, and more. These locations are good for individuals and smaller groups.
2112
Located inside the Fort Knox studios, 2112 is a coworking spot for film, music video, and creative industry focused technology entrepreneurs.
Membership levels include unreserved workspace, reserved desk space, and private office space. The unreserved workspace includes access to educational programming, wireless internet, open workspace, active incubation, mentor hours, and 24/7 access.
The reserved desk space includes everything from the unreserved workspace level and a permanent locking desk. The private office space level includes everything plus a private office with a desk. All levels include the ability to reserve private meeting rooms and conference rooms.
The amenities include a full kitchen, free parking lot, breakout room, and lofted lounge space. This is a collaborative fun environment that promote creativity.
Make Offices
Located in the Loop, Make Offices has individual membership and office spaces for up to thirty people. They offer day passes and a Hot Desk, membership level.
With a day pass you can access their location from 9am-5pm and have access to all the amenities. The Open Desk level allows you 24/7 access and access to the open seating area. The Private Office level offers you a furnished lockable private office space with natural lighting.
All levels include the following amenities bike storage, unlimited craft beer on tap, conference rooms, touchdown booths, wellness rooms, private phone booths, monthly networking events, mail and packaging, game room, printer, copier, and scanner, and coffee and tea.
Make Offices has three coworking Chicago locations.
Coalition: Energy
Located in Millennium Park, Coalition:Energy offers day passes, Flex Membership, Dedicated Coworking, and more.
The Day Pass includes WiFi and 9am-5pm access. Conference room use is available for a fee. At this level and the Flex Membership level you will choose a desk. The Flex Membership level includes ten visits, access to WiFi, 9am-5pm access and conference room use for an additional fee.
With a Dedicated Coworking membership you will have access to Coalition: Energy 24/7. You will also have 4 hours in the conference room, business mailing address in the Loop, WiFi, and a space of your own. Amenities are included and you will enjoy a panoramic view of Lake Michigan and the park.
Coworking is a fast growing industry in Chicago. Whether you are a freelancer, writer, musician, into tech, or other entrepreneurial interests there is a coworking spot in Chicago just for you.
