Coworking spaces offer a cost-effective way for freelancers and small businesses to have a focused and structured work environment from which to operate. We spotlight some of Johannesburg’s winning shared office spaces which inspire creativity and prompt greater success through networking across different fields.
The Business Exchange
With two locations in Sandton, The Business Exchange PROVIDES chic and contemporary office space that underscores the operational needs of small, medium, and larger enterprises with a laundry list of amenities and points.
Other than their standard services such as printing, reception support, and high-speed internet, unique add-ons such as month-to-month contract terms, customised or branded workspace options, and 24/7 access coupled with IT technician support position the group ahead of the pack. And for a touch of class and creativity, each of the venues boasts an internationally curated art collection.
When: Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm. Closed on Saturday and Sunday.
Where: The Business Exchange, 96 Rivonia Rd, Sandton, Johannesburg | The Business Exchange, 3 Sandown Valley Crescent, Sandton, Johannesburg
Website: tbeafrica.com | Email: [email protected] | Tel: 082 767 6315
Spaces
Originating in Amsterdam, Spaces was built on the idea that success breeds more success, and it has since spread to over 100 locations worldwide, including in Joburg and in Pretoria.
Spaces offers a service where members pay for what they use, whether by day, month, year, or whatever is suitable to the individual’s needs. Members have 24-hour worldwide access to all Spaces business clubs, while on a more day-to-day practical level, lockers are available to store bags and valuables throughout the day, as well as phone booths, in which members can take calls privately and avoid disturbing others. For those wanting a little more space to stretch out, the meeting room can be booked for a few hours or the whole day. The non-negotiables are great coffee, plants, beautiful artwork on the walls, and a place where members can feel comfortable.
When: Daily
Where: Various suburbs including: Spaces, Atrium on 5th, Sandton City, 9th Floor, 5th St, Sandhurst, Sandton | 292 Surrey Avenue, Randburg | Spaces, Mall of Africa, 1st Floor, Gateway West, 22 Magwa Cres, Midrand | Spaces, Menlyn Maine, Maine, 1 Amarand Ave, Menlyn, Pretoria | Spaces, Byls Bridge, Ground & First Floor, Block B, Olievenhoutbosch Rd, Doringkloof, Centurion
Website: www.spacesworks.com/johannesburg | Email: [email protected] | Tel: 020 794 4700
Thirdspace
Patrons automatically gain free access to the open-plan workspace by ordering food and beverages from the eatery – no monthly contracts required. Thirdspace also comes prepared for some serious business. Spacious seating, accessible plug points, business-level fibre internet and some swishy boardrooms round out just some of the key amenities on offer.
The real business of this space, however, is a unique and commendable approach to sourcing and roasting coffee. The coffee trade is an industry shrouded by secrecy and speculation. But with their coffee roastery duo provides much-needed transparency between the coffee farmer and coffee drinker. The fruits of their labour come in the form of a denser cuppa boasting sweet flavours such as chocolate and caramel that develop after roasting the green coffee beans.
When: Monday to Friday, 7am to 5pm. Saturday, 8am to 1pm. Closed on Sunday.
Where: Thirdspace, Shop 2, Valley View Shopping Centre, Campbell Rd, Fourways, Johannesburg
Website: thirdspace.mobi | Email: [email protected] | Tel: 087 352 0257
UkuCo
Unlike other coworking spaces, UkuCo is one that is located inside a restored mid-century home.
It offers remote workers, freelancers, and entrepreneurs a place to work, collaborate, and connect. What’s more, the space also embraces sustainability, with the walls coated in zero-VOC, formaldehyde-free, and lead-free formulations, and it also has reliable backup power systems.
When: Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm. Closed on Saturday and Sunday.
Where: UkuCo, 39 6th Ave, Parktown North, Johannesburg
Website: instagram.com/ukuco_working/ | Email: [email protected] | Tel: 084 599 0249
WeWork
With the Rosebank branch being Africa’s largest coworking space and the Sandton branch coming in second, WeWork has established itself as one of the leading forerunners in flexible workspaces in South Africa.
Beyond the modern conference rooms, art-filled lounges and calm, private offices, patrons can also enjoy the yoga studio, a parents’ room, a podcast studio, a wellness room and even an in-house barista.
When: Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm. Closed on Saturday and Sunday.
Where: WeWork, 155 West Street, Sandton, Johannesburg | WeWork, 1F, 173 Oxford Rd, Rosebank, Johannesburg
Website: www.wework.com/en-ZA/l/coworking-space/johannesburg–GP | Tel: 010 865 0293 (Sandton); 010 865 0240 (Rosebank)
Workshop 17
With a host of co-working spaces across Joburg, Workshop 17’s dedicated offices feature fully equipped meeting and seminar rooms, and their Sandton location even features an auditorium that safely seats up to 120 people.
With high-speed Wi-Fi, uninterrupted (backup) power, and barista coffee, patrons can enjoy a productive and wholesome day, no matter the location.
When: Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm. Closed on Saturday and Sunday (Baker Street and Hyde Park) | Monday to Friday, 7.30am to 5.30pm. Closed on Saturday and Sunday (Cradock Avenue and Sandton)
Where: Workshop 17, 138 West Street, Sandown, Sandton | Workshop 17, 16 Baker Street, Rosebank, Johannesburg | Workshop 17, 24 Cradock Avenue, Rosebank, Johannesburg | Workshop17, Hyde Park Corner, North Tower Square, 1st Floor, Cnr Jan Smuts Avenue and Winnie Mandela Dr, 6th Road, Hyde Park, Johannesburg
Website: www.workshop17.co.za | Email: [email protected] (Sandton); [email protected] (Baker Street); [email protected] (Cradock Avenue); [email protected] (Hyde Park) | Tel: 010 599 0322 (Sandton); 010 599 0301 (Baker Street); 010 500 1453 (Cradock Avenue); 010 500 1457 (Hyde Park)
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