Gone are the heydays of internet cafes, where burgeoning writers would sit for hours deliberating over their craft. While the tradition of typing lazily over a mocha latte on a Tuesday afternoon has endured for many, the days of quiet, contemplative local coffee shops seem doomed to the past, as well. Instead, serious novelists and aspiring freelance creatives in Asheville have found a new venue in which to effectively complete their tasks at hand: coworking spaces.
Learn more about the purpose and structure of coworking spaces below, as well as where to find coworking spaces in Asheville, NC.
What are Coworking Spaces?
Unless you are in need of such a location, you may be somewhat unfamiliar with the purpose and structure behind coworking spaces. Imagine you’re a professional grant writer who isn’t tied to one specific nonprofit. Or you’re a podcaster who needs a neutral, quiet space to interview guests for your show. Or you have an at-home website development business, but you need somewhere to meet potential clients with at-home companies of their own. Or you’re working on the next Great American Novel™ but you just can’t get into the zone at home.
For entrepreneurs in situations like the ones above, it’s uneconomical to lease your own 2,000-square-foot office space. But it’s also a burden to steal free wifi every day from Atlanta Bread’s overtaxed connection.
Coworking spaces fill the gap between working freelance or independently from home and working full time in an office you lease on your own.
And that’s not all they do. Coworking spaces, where you can often rent a desk by the month or a conference room by the hour, offer wonderful opportunities for collaboration and resource sharing. Internet connections are reliable, coffee consumption is optimal, and deskmates could work on wildly different projects from one another. Some spaces even focus on niche fields, like web development or visual art, and offer additional relevant equipment or resources with their memberships. Others offer regular business workshops to their members and the community.
Does that sound more like the solution you need?
9 Coworking Spaces in Asheville, NC
Locally, Asheville coworking spaces serve a vital role to the region’s many small business owners and creatives. Coworking spaces have been growing quietly, but steadily, over the last few years. Today, we have plenty of coworking spaces currently in operation within city limits.
If you think you would benefit from a reliable work space, check out these coworking facilities in Asheville:
The Collider
The Collider is Asheville’s hub for mission-driven solutions for climate change. To boost your environmental entrepreneurship, visit the top floor of the Wells Fargo building. Their Class A coworking and office space offers super-speedy wifi (1 GB/second) and membership ranges from day passes to large office suites.
1 Haywood Street, Suite 401, Asheville | (828) CLIMATE | thecollider.org
Cowork at Center for Craft
Whether you’re an entrepreneur, maker, artist, designer, scholar, or student, the Hive offers creative space that will inspire your most meaningful work. Their public and private workspaces include a reading lounge, classroom spaces, a kitchenette, a coffee lounge, and phone booths.
67 Broadway Street, Asheville | (828) 785-1357 | craftcreativitydesign.org
Flat Iron Writers Room
Enjoy a writer’s retreat close to home. Located just off Haywood Road in West Asheville, Flat Iron Writers Room offers a common coworking space, discounts on classes and workshops, free parking, a screenplay and writing craft book library, and regular social events.
5 Covington Street, Asheville | flatironwritersroom.com
Focal Point Coworking
Focal Point’s full-service office environment offers collaborative spaces to meet and network with others, as well as spaces for minimal distractions. Enjoy high speed internet, free refreshments, and an on-site printer and copier. Their flexible terms benefit part-time and full-time businesses on any budget.
125 S Lexington Avenue #101, Asheville | (828) 407-0357 | focalpointcowork.com
GRIND
Get into GRIND mode! This Black-owned venue combines the best of coffee, business, and comfort to create the ultimate community gathering place. While the decor reflects local African American business owners from as far back as 1835, the energy is distinctly modern, promoting productivity, wellness, and comfort.
346 Depot Street, Asheville | grindavl.club
Hatchworks Coworking
This inspiring downtown space shares a building with the Hatch Innovation Hub, Bee Thai Kitchen, and Asheville Distilling Company. Take advantage of their safe seating, well-equipped conference rooms, and in-building coffee and flower shop, Pollen. Memberships range from day passes to full-time private offices.
45 S French Broad Avenue, Suite 170, Asheville | (828) 278-9898 | hatchcoworking.com
Haw Creek Commons
Located in the basement level of the historic Bethesda United Methodist Church, Haw Creek Commons features a wide-open coworking space with plenty of smaller spaces to work with small groups or be alone with your thoughts. This neighborhood space offers memberships for every budget.
315 Old Haw Creek Road, Asheville | hawcreekcommons.com/coworking
Mojo Coworking
Ideas move quickly. Asheville’s original coworking space is an open workspace designed for smart, creative, entrepreneurial people to work, connect, and collaborate in a professional environment. Membership can include everything from a flex pass to a downtown mailbox.
81 Broadway Street, Suite 201, Asheville | (828) 398-1840 | mojocoworking.com
WestBase Coworking
Located in the Beacham’s Curve area of West Asheville, this is not your average coworking spot. WestBase offers everything you need to ensure you are comfortable, productive, and happy. Enjoy free parking, local fresh coffee, high-speed internet, fax/scan/printing services, conference rooms, and more.
257 Haywood Road, Unit 201, Asheville | (828) 712-5712 | westbasecoworking.com
Tour downtown Asheville on the AVL Lit Tour
If you’re not sure about where you’d like to rent a coworking space, take the AVL Lit Tour—we walk directly by several of them!
Learn more about Asheville’s greatest authors, including Thomas Wolfe, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and lots of living legends—and what it would take to join their ranks. We cover dozens of stories about Asheville-area authors from the 19th century to the present while taking in the sights of the city.