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By J.D. Houvener
Patent Attorney and Founder

As the Windy City blows itself into the world of 2019, the quest for fellow entrepreneurs to find the perfect private office spaces and virtual office spaces in Chicago in order to invent, perfect, and patent the tools of tomorrow becomes even more challenging.

To help our fellow entrepreneurs find their ideal space(s), here at Bold Patents, we chose these particular 17 coworking spaces in Chicago based on their reputation, including how well they managed to stand out from the crowd in recent years. Can you guess as to what those spaces may be?

In that case, without further ado, let’s begin!

The image gives you a geographic understanding and a small summary of each location. Below, I have provided a more in-depth analysis along with our featured co-working spaces, including one dedicated to attorneys! 🙂

1. WeWork Chicago

Okay, to be fair, the idea of classifying a “boutique chain-coworking space” such as WeWork as “innovative” may seem very perplexing to some entrepreneurs. However, if it wasn’t for WeWork, almost none of the coworking spaces mentioned on our list would exist.

According to its website, “WeWork is a global network of workspaces where companies grow together.” Regardless as to how big or small your company is, WeWork offers a variety of spaces with month-to-month flexibility and one all-inclusive rate. This way, companies can worry less about having to pay fees and more about whether or not their inventions are eligible for patenting.

For those looking to take their art skills to the next level, WeWork currently has an office called WeWork State Street, which is located in the heart of the Loop where the former Academy of Fine Arts used to be.

Did we mention that they also have a micro-roasted coffee bar and fresh fruit water served in each of their locations?

Contact Information:

Phone: 1-646-491-9060

Email: Live Chat

2. The Writer’s WorkSpace

Looking for a beautiful, quiet place to hone your writing skills at a fraction of what traditional universities and colleges would charge? How about a place where you can meet other Chicago writers just like yourself? In that case, The Writer’s WorkSpace is your go-to place!

Other than that this place is a co-working space dedicated solely to writers in Chicago, what makes this space unique is that it offers a laser printer, a resources library, and discounts on workshops and other additional amenities for anyone looking to utilize the space (full or part-time). It even offers a studio for those looking for extra privacy while crafting the next greatest American novel (see image below).

Since drop-in visits are not permitted, it is best to call or email the people at Writer’s WorkSpace if you ever want to tour the space.

Overall, for the creative writers looking for a place “where writing works,” look no further than The Writer’s WorkSpace!

Contact Information:

Phone: 773.907.0336

Email: info@writersworkspace.com

3. Homiey Chicago

Located in the heart of Humboldt Park, Chicago, Homiey Chicago provides its fellow business owners with an affordable, minority-owned friendly space from offering complimentary coffee & snacks to providing fellow members a place to practice their presentation skills in.

Inspired by the romance of internet cafes in the early 1990s and the growing revolution of coworking spaces in the early 2000s, Mariah, a former CPS teacher and Erryn, owner of Fetch IMC, came together to create a space where, “Coworking space meets internet cafe.”

This way, whether you’re a professional software developer trying to draft up a claim for your invention or a fellow student looking for a place to study the differences between copyrights and trade secrets (besides the library and Starbucks, of course), anyone in the Humboldt Park can have a place to gather in.

As of now, Homiey Oakland in Fruitvale, Oakland is open for business!

Contact information:

Phone: 872.215.2684

4. Free Range Chicago

Home of the worldly-renowned Github and Monster Energy Drink companies, Free Range Office is a women-owned and operated coworking space for those looking to work, network, and collaborate with others from projects to parties.

It is located in the heart of Wicker Park, which makes it convenient for anyone looking to shop and dine in some of Chicago’s best restaurants. It also offers its members, “concierge-style hospitality”, as well as “comfortable workspace options.”

For those looking to enhance their “work-life balance” schedule, Free Range provides its a feng shui layout and other health-promoting amenities – from a fully-equipped chef’s kitchen to a peaceful outdoor terrace.

At one point, the nice people at Free Range hosted a Star Wars themed party. 🙂

Contact Information:

Phone: 312-725-3063

Email: info@freerangeoffice.com

5. The Roof Crop

Founded by a group of passionate, community-driven environmentalists in 2013, The Roof Crop offers more than just a hip, comfortable space for fellow businesses to work under the natural light. As the name suggest, it also offers a rooftop farm for anyone looking to grow and purchase locally grown, environmentally responsible fresh fruits and other crops right on top of the roof.

In addition to free coffee (more specifically french press coffee) and a seasonal roof deck, The Roof Crop also offers its clients a state-of-the-art photo studio space with a 60” Apple TV with casting capability and HDMI and Sonos Audio System. This way, they would have all of the resources that they need to experiment with their works as best as they can for a fraction of what traditional office spaces would charge.

For those located 2 blocks from Ashland/Lake Green and Pink Line, The Roof Crop is the perfect place to grab locally grown produce during harvest season while meeting with fellow clients.

Contact Information

Phone: 312-690-7048

Email: Contact Form

6. Industrious Chicago

Located in one of America’s “global economic powerhouses”, Industrious Chicago provides its fellow business owners with all of the tools that need to succeed from polished premium conference rooms to accommodating hospitality staff.

According to its Facebook page, “Since its founding in 2013, Industrious has helped thousands of companies of all sizes and stages scale their businesses while maintaining the highest NPS scores in the industry.” Whether you’re a fellow startup looking to go beyond where you are right now or a Fortune 500 company looking to save extra money on resources, Industrious Chicago caters to all types of businesses.

At this time, Industrious Chicago has locations in River North, West Loop, Fulton Market, Gold Coast, Wicker Park, Ogilvie, Central Loop, and Evanston.

Contact Information:

Phone: Central Loop = 773-645-0605, Evanston = 847-739-7900, Fulton Market = 312-276-1900, Gold Coast = 312-243-8800, Ogilvie = 312-661-5050, River North = 312-600-5951, West Loop = 312-462-1001, Wicker Park = 312-585-7554

Email: Contact Form

7. University CoWork

A newcomer to the Chicago startup world, University CoWork is the 1st coworking space in Woodlawn / Hyde Park, as well as the first full-service business accelerator South of the Loop.

Founded in 2018, this millennial style coworking space is geared towards helping even beginning startups get to where they should be.

In February 2019, University CoWork hosted a Small Business Symposium featuring Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle! This program was designed to help local businesses understand where they stand in today’s competitive society, as well as which loans, grants, and private-public partnerships would be most appropriate for them.

At this time, University CoWork is offering a slew of offers for anyone willing to “like” them on Facebook.

Did we mention that they’re also a dog-friendly workplace?

Contact Information:

Phone: N/A

Email: info@univeristycowork.com

8. Novel Coworking

For those looking for an affordable move-in ready office perfect for the modern day business owner, Novel Coworking is the place to go!

Considered “the nation’s largest owner-operator of coworking space”, Novel Coworking provides its clients with offices loaded with all of the standard amenities needed to get their businesses off of the group such as direct fiber internet, local beer on tap, and the opportunity for companies to emblazon their logos on their office door(s).

In addition, they offer discounts on healthcare and HR services, as well as on-site Happy Hours for clients to get together and network.

Most of all, what makes Novel Coworking so “novel” so that they offer a 10% referral fee for all brokers.

Not bad for an organization that charges $299 a month for office space!

Contact Information:

Phone: 312-561-5500

Email: info@novelcoworking.com

9. Lost Arts

Founded in July 1, 2015, Lost Arts is a creative coworking space designed for everyone from robot designs to web developers to combine their passions for STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics) subjects in order to create tomorrow’s tools and products.

Founded by Kickstarter co-founder Charles Adler, according to its about page, “Lost Arts started as a social experiment – testing assumptions related to creative practice and cross-disciplinary work.” As time went on, Lost Arts became the experimental co-working space that it is today.

According to Illinois Innovation, Lost Arts is, “a blend of laboratory, workshop, atelier, incubator and playground rooted in a legacy of interdisciplinary spaces like the Bauhaus and Black Mountain College.” For those looking for a place to start their own businesses in a place where they are free to take creative risks, Lost Arts is one of the best places to start off in.

Currently, the space is in hiatus. However, they are expected to re-launch later this year.

Contact Information:

Phone: (773) 417-6909

Email: hello@lostarts.co

10. JDJ Architects

Looking for a coworking space that caters to your inner Chicago architect? In that case, take a step into JDJ Architects and see for yourself!

Founded in 2000, JDJ Architects has been providing its clients such as Colgate, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and many other with beautiful, private spaces to work in from meetings areas to offices to virtual offices.

While JDJ Architects caters to a wide variety of audiences, as of March 2017, they’ve spent most of their time catering to attorneys looking for a more decorative place to work in. “The result, according to feedback from attorneys, is that the experience of moving to aLawCenters from big-law spaces is a seamless transition from their previous law firm offices to the high-quality and thoughtful design of 161 North Clark,” says Ron Bockstahler, CEO of Amata.

As of May 2019, JDJ Architects completed a project in Deerfield, Illinois.

Contact Information:

Phone: 312-850-2200

Email: info@jdjarch.com

11. Make Offices Chicago

Located in downtown Chicago, MakeOffices Chicago coworking places are more than just a regular downtown coworking space.

With move-in ready furnished works, all-inclusive amenities(including gourmet coffee, craft beer, massage chairs, wellness rooms), flexible, month-to-month lease terms, noise-reducing walls between offices, and frosted glass doors, MakeOffices allows businesses of all types to run and expand in style and comfort (within reason, of course).

Outside of work hours, members can participate in member breakfasts, happy hours, networking events that cultivate community and grow your professional and personal networks. They also have access to other MakeOffices locations in Chicago, Philadelphia, and the Washington, DC metro area at no additional cost.

Modern, beautiful, and most importantly, worry-free, Make Offices offers all of the tools of the trade that today’s businesses need. No hidden fees or charges included.

Contact Information:

Phone: River North = (312) 800-9112, The Loop = (312) 800-9111, The Maginificant Mile = (312) 796-0156

Email: info@MakeOffices.com

12. Brooklyn Boulders

At first glance, the idea of a Brooklyn style coworking space may seem a little unfitting. However, for those looking for a place to exercise while getting together with a coworker to see how next month’s project would get done under one roof, Brooklyn Boulders is one of the best places to do so.

Opened in December 2014 in Chicago’s West Loop, Brooklyn Boulders Chicago has provided its members with an “unconventional platform that brings the arts, music, and entrepreneurial communities together” from rock climbing facilities to yoga studios.

Because of its “unconventional platform” Forbes Magazine describes Brooklyn Boulders as “a hidden gem.”

Contact Information:

Phone: (312) 268-0002

Email: chicago@brooklynboulders.com

13. mHub

Inspired by the creation of Galvin Manufacturing’s car radio, Motorola, mHub has been one of Chicago’s main places of innovation. It is also considered “ the nation’s largest and fastest-growing innovation center with a strong focus on physical product development and manufacturing.”

As such, Midwestern inventors, designers, and entrepreneurs are working hard day and night to help create the tools and products needed to benefit humankind in the years to follow.

For those looking to rent a space there, mHub offers its members a hot desk along with access to a prototyping and micro-factory lab, business services, educational programs, and mentorship. They also offer casual happy hours, member lunches, and more formal networking events for those looking to go beyond inventing and patenting products.

Contact Information:

Phone: (312) 248-8701

Email: team@mhubchicago.com

14. Amata Coworking Space

For those looking to pay less for a traditional law office, downtown Chicago’s very own Amata Law Office Suites is here to help you and your organization kickstart your business!

Known for its “convenient locations and best-in-class amenities,” Amata has become the largest privately owned and managed office suites provider in Chicago according to its LinkedIn profile.

In addition to providing lawyers with tasteful and professional coworking spaces, Amata Law Office also provides its clients with state-of-the-art virtual office programs, broker services, conference rooms, private offices, and attorney-specific law centers and staff. This way, attorneys can still help their clients file a patent properly without having to quit their day job(s).

Contact Information:

Phone: 1.888.525.9344

Email: conversations@amataoffices.com

15. 1871

Named after the year of the Great Chicago Fire, The Mart’s very own 1871 has dedicated itself to helping entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, educators, and government officials create an environment where anyone who is passionate about making Chicago a more technological city become so.

Founded in 2012, 1871 offers its members a multitude of accelerators, incubators, and programs to choose from ranging from The Food Foundry to Bunker Labs. They also have provided its members with 1-1 mentorship, recruiting services, workshops, and many other useful amenities.

As such, 1871 is considered, “the hub for Chicago’s thriving technology and entrepreneurial ecosystem” according to its about page.

Contact Information:

Phone: 312-239-0310

Email: contact@1871.com

16. Platform Coworking Spaces

Let’s face it, when it comes to getting the job done, sometimes the only place to do so is in an area that is quiet, but not so quiet that you constantly feel as if your high school librarian will shush at you the moment you start to open your mouth.

That is exactly what Platform Coworking Spaces provides its members – “a modern approach to the daily grind since 2008.”

Here, members can access the facility 24/7 and utilize the space’s many amenities such as a mailer service, dual-monitor desks, and of course, free coffee. Because of this, Croissant coworking considers Platform Coworking “one of the original coworking spaces in Chicago.

As of now, they are located in three areas: Ravenswood, Platform Suites, and Wicker Park!

Contact Information:

Phone: (773) 850-2797

Email: hello@platformcoworking.com

17. The Second Shift

Located in the Logan Square neighborhood, Second Shift is a community-focused, minority-owned, independent coworking space created by two friends: Nicole Vasquez and Levi Baer, to provides its members with a warm, comforting, professional atmosphere.

With large windows and 3 skylights, this space is brightened (primarily) by natural lighting and a passion for helping make the world a better place to live in.

In one interview, one fellow coworker describes The Second Shift as, “Kindof like a warm hippie commune, but work focused.”

Contact Information:

Phone: 773-698-6142

Email: hello@secondshiftchicago.com

In Conclusion…

There you have it, everyone! The top 17 coworking spaces in Chicago

  1. WeWork Chicago – Great for those looking for a traditional boutique style coworking space that offers month-to-month flexibility, one all-inclusive rate, and fresh fruit water
  2. The Writer’s WorkSpace – Great for writers looking for a quiet place to perfect their craft
  3. Homiey Chicago – Great for those looking for an affordable, artistic, minority-owned friendly neighborhood coworking space to work in
  4. Free Range Chicago – Great for those looking for a women-owned coworking space that offers a feng shui layout, energizing natural light, comfortable workspace options, and health-promoting amenities
  5. The Roof Crop – Great for those looking for a hip and environmentally stable coworking space that allows others to grow whatever they desire on top of the roof (within reason)
  6. Industrious Chicago – Great for those looking for a workspace that can help businesses scale while maintaining the highest NPS scores in the industry
  7. University CoWork – Great for those looking for a Generation Y style coworking space that is located in Woodlawn, Illinois
  8. Novel Coworking – Great for those looking for a space that offers discounts on services and a 10% referral fee for all brokers
  9. Lost Arts – Great for artists and developers looking to collaborate on a variety of STEAM related projects from video games to apps
  10. JDJ Architects – Great for today’s attorneys looking for a more tasteful, professional place to call their “home away from home”
  11. MakeOffices Chicago – Great for those looking for a space that helps all businesses from startups to Fortune 500s and offers massage chairs
  12. Brooklyn Boulders – Great for those looking for a place to exercise their minds and bodies while attending work in one convenient location
  13. mHUB – Great for those looking for a coworking space that is focused on physical product development and manufacturing
  14. Amata Law Office Suites – Great for those looking for a more traditional style lawyer’s coworking space at a reasonable price
  15. 1871 – Great for those who refer to themselves as part of “a city of builders”
  16. Platform Coworking Spaces – Great for those looking for a space that offers 24/7 access to a quiet area (or two)
  17. The Second Shift – Great for those looking for a coworking space that encourages them to change the world for the better, “kindof like a warm hippie commune, but work focused”

In the meantime, which of these coworking spaces are you thinking of giving a try? Are you thinking about moving to Chicago anytime soon for business? Let us know in the comments below!


PS:
If you are an innovator ready to protect and bring to market your visionary idea to life! Please book a free consultation with one of our Chicago patent attorneys.

About the Author
J.D. Houvener is a Registered USPTO Patent Attorney who has a strong interest in helping entrepreneurs and businesses thrive. J.D. leverages his technical background in engineering and experience in the aerospace industry to provide businesses with a unique perspective on their patent needs. He works with clients who are serious about investing in their intellectual assets and provides counsel on how to capitalize their patents in the market. If you have any questions regarding this article or patents in general, consider contacting J.D. at https://boldip.com/contact/