Brad Hargreaves, founder of Thesis Driven, explored how three booming coworking concepts (Switchyards in the Southeast US; Work Heights in Brooklyn; and Patch in the UK) are proving that growth is coming from neighborhood-focused models that prioritize proximity over prestige.

These neighborhood models leverage cheaper Class B real estate, management deals with landlords, and eliminates large security deposits while targeting local community integration over business travelers.

The strategy reflects permanent remote work adoption and demand for community without long commutes, positioning multiple small neighborhood locations as more viable than single large downtown hubs.

Sam Strauss-Malcolm shares that Work Heights are introducing their newest workspace at 417 Grand St in Williamsburg.

In this Kisi Connect 2024 session, Sneh Kadakia, founder and CEO of from HERE, and Sam Strauss-Malcolm, founder of Work Heights, discuss what it’s like to operate a coworking space in an era of automation with Daniela Mallarino.

Amanda Hoover penned a piece in WIRED about how hyperlocal coworking spaces are cropping up in disused churches, schools and motorcycle garages to offer remote workers a place nearby to work from.

It explores how Michael Hartofilis bought and refitted a formed church that was set to be leveled into Main Space. It features commentary from Jonathan Wasserstrum (from Unwritten Capital who invested in Switchyards) that "coworking is a great product". It looks at Work Heights expansion to 7 hubs in Brooklyn, and how even WeWork had repurposed old buildings, a historic theatre and at some point a century-old ballroom.