Coffee, collaboration and co-working – AZ Co-working Guide

Co-written with Carlene Reyes
A 9-5 workday just isn’t what it used to be—especially for entrepreneurs and small businesses when it comes to getting work done. The day-to-day needs and lifestyle for this demographic are a little different from the average office worker, so why should they expect to work in the same ho-hum environment?
Co-working spaces are becoming the popular alternative, bringing with it the opportunity for solo workers to collaborate and bounce ideas off other like-minded people. Some spaces even take a step further and double as incubator programs, providing mentorship and resources to help businesses get off the ground. Others spoil its members with extras like bright, modern interiors designed to spark creativity, and even offer a glass of wine to calm the senses.
The need for these unique spaces is on the rise: The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that by 2020, about 65 million Americans will be working independently, such as freelancers or independent contractors. Co-working spaces are created help business ideas grow on a much deeper level than just sipping on expensive coffee alone in a crowded café. From the ultra swanky to just the basics, here’s a sample list of some tried and true and newer co-working spaces around Arizona.
Flagstaff
Click Co+Work 111 E Aspen Ave. Flagstaff, AZ 86001

Click Co+Work opened in May 2015 and is Flagstaff’s premier co-working space. Located in the heart of downtown in a renovated 1900s-era building, Click owners combined the historical elements the building had to offer with urban, modern industrial touches. There are 30+ desk spaces and shared amenities that include a standing work bar, outdoor patio, conference room, private call room, kitchen and kegerator! From the creators of the Click vision to its members, we are people dedicated to what we do and the town we live in.
 
Tucson
Rail Yard  610 S. Park Ave., Tucson, AZ 85719

At Rail Yard they have created a variety of spaces to meet different needs, styles of work and creativity, and functions. Want to have a cozy coffee chat for three? Rail Yard offers just the right kinds of spaces for that. A formal meeting for twelve? They can accommodate that beautifully too, with new kinds of offices, a series of spaces and aesthetic experiences, and access to amenities especially suited to ambitious innovators.
Connect Coworking  33 S. Fifth Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85701

Housed in the historic Rialto Theatre building in Tucson, Connect Coworking opened May 2014 and offers its members a sleek and modern interior fit to inspire creativity. There are 172 workspaces of all sizes, a full kitchen with beer tap and a mediation room, among many other perks.
Spoke6  439 N 6th Ave., #101, Tucson, AZ 85705

Spoke6 provides members with a comfortable and professional work environment that promotes collaboration, creativity, and productivity through utilities and services such as a kitchen with a fridge, spacious conference rooms, secure storage boxes, large screen projector and TV, access to free Spoke6 events, showers and lounge area, indoor bike storage, free motor vehicle parking, and high speed WiFi.
CoLab Workspace  17 E Pennington St, Tucson, AZ 85701
The January 2014 merger of Startup Tucson and Gangplank sees the latter becoming an initiative of Startup Tucson and will adopt the name CoLab Workspace. The move provides for an increased focus on local collaboration while maintaining a strong regional connection with Gangplank.
 
Greater Phoenix area
The Department Phoenix  1 N. 1st St, Phoenix, AZ 85004

Step off the elevator into Downtown Phoenix’s newest co-working space, The Department. With its modern flare and beautifully design furniture, the space is like a piece of art in the heart of downtown. Buzzing startups are housed around the perimeter of the 16,000 sq ft space that also consists of private offices, conference rooms, lounge areas, flex work stations, and more.
 
Gangplank Queen Creek  22246 S Ellsworth Rd, Queen Creek, AZ 85142

Gangplank cut the ribbon on its new location in the Queen Creek Town Center on April 9th after being approved for a one-year lease with the town council in February. Gangplank will provide free working space for local companies as well as initiatives that help with running a business.
 
Gangplank Chandler   260 S Arizona Ave, Chandler, AZ 85225
Gangplank Avondale  525 N Central Ave, Avondale, AZ 85323
Founded in 2008, GangPlank is unique in that it doesn’t charge a membership fee for their workspaces. Instead, it runs off donations by the people who use them. Everyone is asked to donate in a way that is meaningful to them (by offering mentorship to others, for example) to keep the offices running.
 
DeskHub Scottsdale   4900 North Scottsdale Road #4500, Scottsdale, AZ 85251

A hammock swaying on the patio with a view of Camelback Mountain, steps away from Scottsdale Fashion Square and 17,000 square-feet filled with buzzing entrepreneurs describes the new DeskHub, a co-working space that opened in Scottsdale.
 
Lab  818 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85004


Lab Coworking Space is an alternative to home offices and coffee shops. Lab is more than an office, it’s a place to be productive and connect with people while maintaining the flexibility small business owners need. A vibrant, friendly atmosphere with the amenities you need to work around people like you.
 
CO+HOOTS  1027 E. Washington St. Suite 107, Phoenix, AZ 85034

This shared office space opened in 2010 and was the first of its kind in downtown Phoenix. Collaboration culture make this place tick, and amenities include free utilities, shower, kitchen, lounge area and endless jolts of java from the locally owned, Greater Than Coffee.
Coworking on 15th Ave  3428 N. 15th Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85015
It’s a house turned office space. Co-working on 15th Ave has three membership options starting at $150 per month. It believes in living a healthy lifestyle so the space offers members opportunities to participate in a range of physical activities like bike riding, hiking and dodgeball, through events and partnerships.
hive @ central  1221 N Central Ave. 2nd Floor, Phoenix, AZ 85004
The hive @ central, located in ASU’s Alexandria Co-working space, is part of an ASU initiative that brings together inventors, problem-solvers, entrepreneurs and small businesses in collaboration spaces in community libraries across Arizona. Featured speakers, mentors, and other resources are on hand to help entrepreneurs grow their business ideas.
MAC⁶  1430 W Broadway Rd #201, Tempe, AZ 85282

MAC⁶ is a conscious co-working community. They offer private offices and individual desks for teams ranging in sizes from 1 person to 20 team members. They provide a variety of meeting spaces available to their community members for events and the co-working space boasts an onsite gym and complimentary trainer!
Jumpstart  2802 N. 37th Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85009
A new shared workspace location, Jumpstart provides affordable office space with the benefit of an inclusive collaborative environment. Jumpstart also provides free space for community civic meetings and non-profit groups including City of Phoenix Early Childhood Programs.
mod  2828 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85004

Work with a glass wine…or beer…or coffee. mod is an ultra chic workspace with a full-service café and bar with beer and wine on tap. Memberships range from $7 per hour to $35 per day and include extras such as concierge services, private conference rooms, a large event space and an outdoor patio for meetings.
The Office Pile  2501 N. 7th. St., Phoenix, AZ 85006
Also known as “TOP,” this space aims to bring culturally diverse entrepreneurs and professionals together, and adds to the experience by displaying vibrant art along its walls. Memberships start at $15 a day and tiers include mail delivery service, private office space and 24/7 access to the office.
Union Workspace  1729 E. Osborn Road 2nd Floor, Phoenix, AZ
This place focuses on aesthetics to help members get their work done. Described as an “architecturally defined environment,” members get the added benefits of custom mill work and steel work desk space with Herman Miller Aeron task chair, access 24/7 and notary on site. Monthly rates start at $350.
Big Bounce  170 S. Ash, Tempe, AZ 85281

A membership-based co-working space where startups or “Cohabs” can get the one on one guidance and support they need to launch and grow successful business. Big Bounce’s platform was made to offer advanced knowledge and skills to Cohabs at any point in their business development process.
EZ Spaces  1530 E Williams Field Rd #201, Gilbert, AZ 85295

EZ Spaces offers a tiered membership services including daily rentals, 5 or 10-day passes or unlimited monthly passes. Options are also available to rent out conference rooms, storage lockers and personal mailboxes.
Game CoLab  802 E Dunlap Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85020
This one’s for the gamers! Game CoLab was built to empower the local game development community and just recently launched its own incubator program. Their focus: “educating people about games, educating game makers about business, and educating local government and institutional partners on the potential of games as an economic driver.”
 
 
 
Photos by respective co-working spaces and Thomas Hawthorne
This post will be updated periodically to reflect new co-working spaces opening up