Creative Office Space Inspires Collaboration

Coffee shop? Too distracting.

Home office? Too isolating.

Shared office suite? Too costly or too generic.

Monday morning in a Reston office. Coffee's on. The entrepreneurs working in the office this morning are not co-workers; they aren't working on the same project. In fact, their companies are not very similar. But they are in the same space, sharing ideas, working side by side.

Creative professionals in the Reston area now have a place to call home, by the day or the month. WeSpace is an innovative "co-working" space at Lake Anne Plaza.

WeSpace is touted as "creative space conducive to creative business."  Professionals, entrepreneurs and digital "nomads" are welcome to rent space for a day, a week or as long as they need. Rates are as low as $30 per day (or $300 per month).

Andrew Nachison and Dale Peskin launched the space about two months ago, in a condo overlooking the Lake Anne courtyard. In addition to the co-working environment, the building is also home to Nachison and Peskin's businesses, WeMedia and iFocos.

 "Coming to Lake Anne was a reaction to having offices at the Reston Town Center, " Nachison said. "We found we needed a creative physical space for a studio with community feel—real people with real lives, right outside window."

This rentable space is different than most shared offices in the Northern Virginia area. WeSpace has no receptionist or concierge service; the kitchen is simple, yet functional; the only real business equipment is a printer for all to use.

A large room with a wall of white boards and desk and work space for up to 15 people is on the top floor. Wireless Internet is available throughout Lake Anne Plaza so connectivity is never an issue.

Two smaller rooms can be used for smaller meetings or when quiet is necessary, such as during phone calls or Skype conferencing.

"It is one thing to come up with inexpensive office space—our goal is to develop a community of digital creatives who will benefit from working together," Nachison says.

That certainly seems to be the case for the two businessmen using WeSpace recently.

 "I was looking for a technology refuge and found it here," said Rick Robinson of CRTV.co, who regularly uses WeSpace. "Working in your basement is all right for recent college grads," but Robinson said it was not a good solution for his company.

Sam Aparcio of Ringio (developing virtual PBX) listed several reasons for using WeSpace. He said he focuses better in the professional environment, plus he enjoys the "access to potential partners or clients, and being exposed to new ideas by listening and exchanging ideas."

Nachison hopes WeSpace becomes "a hub and a home for a vibrant community for startups, entrepreneurs, digital creative."

"They may be local, they may be global in scope, but in a lean and efficient way, they'll find a benefit in a space like this," he said.

At a recent Lake Anne revitalization community meeting, the concept of a hub for startups was one of six directions proposed by consultants.

Nachison said he welcomes that development, but would also like to see more businesses, a stronger retail environment and businesses that appeal to people and add to a sense of vitality."