Web Worker Daily

I needed to get out of the house. And I needed to get some work done. A friend emailed and told me to come check out an open house for the Hat Factory, a Coworking community space in San Francisco’s semi-industrial Dogpatch neighborhood — making it a choice no-transfer commute. Less Muni drama that way.

The idea isn’t entirely new, but it’s no less interesting for it. Similar arrangements exist for artists’ studios as well as VC-funded incubator space. Visiting The Grotto, a writing community space in Downtown San Francisco was a revelation. “That’s what I need,” I thought to myself (and not just about a writing job).

Warm and welcoming, yet quite functional, the location was an old warehouse converted into live-work spaces. A large desk covered in laptops and assorted cabling dominated the large room, a comfortable couch and coffee table setup encircled the AV system, a private room for conversations was upstairs, and hot coffee was made in the kitchen.

I sat down next to one of the many surge protectors and logged on. The chatty social atmosphere kept it light, occassionally interrupted by long periods of the low hum of quiet productivity. Even I got work done! The laid-back atmosphere was perfect — though it certainly helped that I was surrounded by familiar faces, you can’t help but be charmed by the gang in the video tour.

The good news is that there are Coworking communities in major cities around the world, and other, similar services available. It’s really just a team of people sharing some resources. In the case of the Hat Factory, it costs $170 a month to be an ‘anchor,’ though a day pass can be purchased for $10. Anchors have some extra priveleges and a voice in how the space is organized.

It’s certainly effective medicine if you’ve caught a case of cabin fever or tinnitis from prolonged exposure to the clank of glasses at a cafe. I was always excited about the idea, and that may color my enthusiasm in seeing it realized. Still, I could also see myself filing more than a few stories from there in the future.