Shared Workspaces Help Business Development in Metro Detroit

By Veronica Grecu, Associate Editor

With the number of floating workers rapidly increasing in the new economy, the concept of shared workspaces is growing in the country’s major cities and their metropolitan areas. Freelancers, professionals working from home or independent contractors can have their own work place and other facilities such as internet access, conference rooms and various office supplies.

According to Metromode, Downtown Rochester is in the process of joining this shared-workspaces community: Rob Ray, president of ShareSpace Rochester, has reportedly found a 2,200-square-foot space to lease at the Rochester Area Regional Athletics building located on Second Street. Depending on the membership level, workspace sharers can also benefit from a floating desk and other services for $25-$150 per month. For $300 per month the workspace sharers get access to a permanent work area with lockable file cabinets and other office equipment.

In Rob Ray’s opinion, a shared workspace can be a place for inspiration or a very collaborative environment. ShareSpace Rochester acts as a pre-incubator for business owners who don’t yet have the financial stability to afford a permanent office of their own.

In other real estate news, Wayne County Circuit Judge Robert Colombo Jr. ordered immediate safety measures and repair to a vacant building in downtown Detroit that was falling apart. According to Crain’s Detroit Business, the judge agreed that the 14-story Wurlitzer Building is a danger to visitors and patrons of the Boll Family YMCA, the restaurants in the area, the Detroit Opera Theater and the Comerica Park.