There’s a new office space in Chattanooga that isn’t exactly traditional. With no cubicles, permanent computers or phones, it doesn’t look like a place where much work gets done, but it’s already home to six professionals.
This new office is called Chattanooga Workspace and it’s located underneath three stories of artist’s studios at 302 W. Sixth St., all of which are managed by the Chattanooga Market.
“It’s just now really up and running but we’ve had a few people in here since April,” said Kathy Lennon, special projects and development director for the Chattanooga Market. “It’s ideal for those people that need space but are looking for a more relaxed environment or don’t want to pay for a whole building.”
Instead of paying rent for a traditional office, the people who use Workspace pay a monthly fee to use the large, open office area and adjoining conference room. Rates depend on the amount of access, which ranges from traditional business hours to a 24/7 pass. Professionals from lawyers to tech support personnel conduct their business there just like they would in a traditional office space.
The new office space isn’t the only way the building’s offerings are expanding.
Workspace recently received a grant from the Lyndhurst Foundation to completely renovate the fourth floor of the building that already houses around 25 artist’s studios. Once complete, the fourth floor will add an additional 11 or 12 studios.
“The reason we did this was because there were so many artists working out of their home or garage and couldn’t afford a working space,” said Lennon.
New tenants are moving into the space beginning Aug. 1; she said most of the studios are already full. Beginning in September, the artists, who work with all mediums including everything from graffiti to textiles, will collectively host open studio nights the first Friday of each month.
“I think our artist community is so important in Chattanooga,” Lennon said. “It has a presence and they need a space that’s affordable to them. They provide a significant economic impact and it’s been a great opportunity to revitalize this area.”