You may have heard. We’re expanding. And I have to say, we’re pretty excited about it.
Like our original building, where we’ve shared 10 years of coworking awesomeness with quite a few “cool kids”, our new building will have eclectic, historic, cozy, work-space vibes. A lot of it.
Our new building has a coworking floor (desks, work nooks, phone booths, break room, restrooms) as big as our previous space. On the upper floors, there are four micro-apartments (275 to 450 square feet), each with a small private kitchen and bathroom, for short-term rental/coliving. In between there is what we’re calling our “clubhouse” floor (casual seating, library room, tv, craft / creative work room, quiet room, communal kitchen) that will serve as additional workspace and hang-out space. But wait, there’s more. Outside there’s a large back porch, covered patio, and a to-be-landscaped big yard.
The light at the end of the tunnel is growing brighter and I can’t wait for you to see what that light will reveal. It’s all based on the vision we’ve had since we polled the members of our coworking community 4 years ago to learn what they wanted most in a new space.
What did they tell us four years ago? They said they wanted to gather around meals and socialize. They wanted green spaces and places to relax. They wanted quiet spaces and lively spaces. They wanted more private places for phone calls. They wanted more events where they could learn, connect, and have fun. They wanted to stay downtown, in an historic building that “feels like Frederick”.
Well, fast forward 4 years, through planning, design, permits, a pandemic, the usual surprises when renovating an historic building, and supply chain issues (just to name a few of the hurdles anyone taking on a project like this in these times has experienced), and we’re finally. almost. there.
We’re keeping our original building (the two are right next door to each other at 120 and 122 E Patrick St) where there will be dedicated meeting and event space on the first floor and private offices on the second floor. We’ll continue to host meetups and our monthly Frederick Artists Night in that building. SOS Safe Ride will also continue to operate out of that building. We’re keeping all the good, adding more, and getting better. It’s gonna be pretty sweet!
On September 7, we celebrated our 10-year anniversary and the fact that we are expanding. We’re really looking forward to the big reveal at our grand opening. Stay tuned. Check our event calendar and social media pages. It won’t be long now.
ps – If you’re wondering why you don’t see pictures of desks and chairs, it’s because we’re having solid wood desktops custom-made for us. Also, the rooms where they will be located are still being worked on. Soon, very soon, the first level will start looking like a coworking space. Can hardly wait!
About the author:
Julia Swanson Ferguson has over 30 years of business experience. After earning a B.B.A. in Accounting and an M.S. in Management Information Systems, she began a fast-growth career that included business process re-engineering, system design, project management, and ultimately running a global consultancy division for a Fortune 500 software company.
Along the way, she launched several small businesses of her own. In 2012, she and her husband Glen opened a coworking space in Frederick, Maryland, In 2016 she left “corporate America” to focus on that business. She’s also a real estate investor and property manager. When not working, she loves to travel, hike, and write songs..
About Cowork Frederick
Cowork Frederick’s mission is to be a catalyst for the success of freelancers, teleworkers and entrepreneurs by creating ways for them to come together to work, share ideas, and support each other. Our diverse coworking community consists of people from a variety of backgrounds and professions, for-profits and not-for-profits. We provide a work-friendly environment, meeting rooms, high-speed internet, and the usual office amenities at an affordable price. More important, members of our coworking community benefit from a support infrastructure, a chance to connect with and help others, and a place to belong. For many, it’s just a better way to work.