9 February 2018

The best Coworking spaces in Pretoria

By In Life

Coworking in Pretoria

Coworking you ask? Well if you don’t know by now, you probably also haven’t noticed that the 8-5 job is dying a slow death. With all the creative juices, small businesses and ever growing number of freelancers it’s no surprise that coworking spaces are popping up everywhere and Pretoria is no exception.

We visited some of the best spaces the Capital has to offer and rated them with our very scientific grading system;

  • Coffee quality
  • Internet speed
  • Ambiance
  • Facilities, printer, boardroom, projector, etc
  • Rates

1. Plus 27, Hatfield

The original Pretoria coworking spot. Situated in Hatfield, Plus 27 was started around 2008 by Pretorian Architect Riaan Visser. This coffee shop was a productive hangout even before the term of coworking was ever coined. The space is constantly developing and expanding, it now even includes a photo studio.

  • Coffee: Good
  • Internet: Wifi is available in the courtyard. Don’t come here to try and download the world.
  • Ambiance: Relaxed and creative coffee shop vibe
  • Facilities: Big communal working tables. (It’s technically still just a coffee shop)
  • Rates: Mahala (for free) R150 hr for the photo studio

 

2. Grounded Work, Villieria

Started in late 2015 by David & Carolien as a community based coffee shop, Grounded at Echo immediately pulled a creative following. We recall at some point there was a regular who would carry his entire IMac, keyboard & mouse setup to camp out there for the day. Due to clear demand Grounded Work was started just around the corner.

  • Coffee: Great flat white and they add a cute little gingerbread man as a biscuit treat.
  • Internet: 10mbps line
  • Ambiance: The work space is more serious than the coffee shop but it’s a great place for freelancers to get stuff done and network. Coworkers also get discounted coffee!
  • Facilities: Boardroom & Printer Scanner at an additional cost
  • Rates: R15/hr or R100/day R1350 hotdesk / month /R1800 dedicated space.

3. Ideas Assembly, Colbyn

This space is perfect if you want to work in peace, this is one of the newest spots, and together with the work space and coffee shop they are also empowering young Pretoria artists.

Each month the work of a new artist is displayed in the space and available for purchase.

  • Coffee: The Barista has been brewing coffee for 6 years you can expect it to be up there. First round of coffee included in prices
  • Internet: 10mbps line
  • Ambience: small and intimate space, but very cozy and good if you are looking for a more quiet space.
  • Facilities: wifi included, printer facilities and stationery on hand. Also two meeting rooms, 4 or 6 seater available.
  • Rates: R150 for one day per desk, R600 for 5 days, R2000 for 22 days, Meeting rooms start at R150 per hour

4. The Workspace at the Club Centre, Menlo Park

Welcome to the Rolls Royce of Coworking. You don’t come here to download movies and talk about beard oil. They mean business and if you’re wanting to step it up, you’ll appreciate their networking sessions held every 2nd month. The location is prime and the facilities will impress any coworker or potential client. The Workspace boast a variety of regulars from web developers to fashion models – alliances and partnerships have already been formed amongst some.

  • Coffee: Great and on demand from the coffee bar
  • Internet: 100mbps upload & download
  • Ambiance: Very professional and trendy
  • Facilities: Printer, boardroom, coffee bar and light meals and Networking sessions
  • Rates: Coworking spaces start from R300 per day and “The Package” is around R3400 a month which gives you a dedicated spot, a landline number and unlimited coffee and access to the community platform.

5. Capital Coworkers

Situated in the Karoo Lifestyle centre on Lynnwood road the space can almost be considered as a workers retreat. The warehouse like structure is nestled between an established natural environment and definitely adds to the relaxed atmosphere. A large portion is used by a marketing company and other long term tenants include an architecture firm and a bicycle workshop.

  • Coffee: They have a Nespresso machine
  • Internet: 10mbps upload & download
  • Ambiance: It can be described as diy meets informal.
  • Facilities: Boardroom & other amenities on the premises
  • Cost: R1800 per month dedicated desk

If none of these inspiring spaces gets you feeling all productive and charged up perhaps the start up and freelancing life is not for you. Which means you’re probably reading this in work time, so get back at it.

Written by The Louwkuls

a guy, a girl & an old land rover
2 Comments
  1. Omid 24 April 2019

    Thanks for the list! I love Grounded Work. The owners are great and it’s a good community . They’ve also recently renovated and expanded the coworking space. It’s right next door to Grounded at Echo, the coffee shop, so you can easily order from the menu and get it delivered to you while you work.

  2. The Louwkuls 28 April 2019

    Grounded is indeed the best.
    We still recall it when they opened the coffee shop and it was so busy they had to open the coworking space.

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