Downtown Co-Work Spaces Support Start-Ups

March 5, 2013 - PRLog -- By securing the right space and offering a creative mix of programs, events, and office amenities, the Alliance for Downtown New York shows the way to draw entrepreneurs downtown.

Co-working spaces, which provide access to office equipment, support, and networking opportunities, were a relatively new concept in the city when the Hive at 55 opened.

Two of the many important start-up lessons shared in the March issue of Downtown Idea Exchange are:

1. Gather input from potential tenants early in the process. As part of its market research, the Downtown Alliance hosted a "jelly," a small, informal co-working meeting. The event had a good turnout and indicated a strong demand for expanded co-working opportunities.

2. Find the right space. "It's important to have a landlord who is on board and understands the concept, and that there may be people working all night, visitors constantly coming and going, and a lot of events, says Daria Siegel, director of the Hive at 55. "A constant influx of people doesn't work in every building," she says.

See photos of the simple but highly functional Hive at 55:
http://www.DowntownDevelopment.com/downtown_digest_2013.php

Additional information on Hive at 55 appears in the March issue of Downtown Idea Exchange.

About the Downtown Research & Development Center

For over 50 years, the Downtown Research & Development Center has acted as the information clearinghouse on practical strategies and tactics for revitalizing the hearts of our cities and towns.

The Group's main activities include publishing the widely influential "Downtown Idea Exchange" and "Downtown Promotion Reporter" newsletters; publishing relevant books and reports; and operating the DowntownDevelopment.com website.

Website: http://www.DowntownDevelopment.com