The vibrant city of Memphis, Tennessee has witnessed a significant transformation in its office and workplace landscape over the past decade. Coworking spaces have emerged as a dynamic solution for entrepreneurs, freelancers, remote workers, and even established businesses seeking flexible workspace options. These shared office environments offer a compelling alternative to traditional leases, providing everything from hot desks and dedicated workstations to private offices and meeting facilities. In Memphis, the coworking movement has gained considerable momentum, reflecting broader shifts in how professionals approach work in the modern economy.
Memphis’s unique combination of affordability, creative energy, and business-friendly environment has made it particularly receptive to the coworking model. Located along the Mississippi River with a rich cultural heritage and growing innovation ecosystem, the city presents distinctive opportunities for coworking operators and members alike. Whether you’re a solo entrepreneur looking for an inspiring workspace, a small team requiring flexible office solutions, or a business traveler needing temporary accommodations, Memphis’s expanding coworking scene offers options tailored to diverse professional needs while fostering valuable community connections.
The Rise of Coworking Spaces in Memphis
Memphis has embraced the coworking trend as part of its economic revitalization and growing entrepreneurial ecosystem. While the concept gained traction later than in some larger metropolitan areas, Memphis has seen steady growth in coworking options since around 2015. This evolution parallels national trends in flexible working arrangements, with the pandemic accelerating demand for adaptable workspace solutions that accommodate hybrid and remote work models.
Several factors have contributed to the expansion of coworking in Memphis:
- Downtown Revitalization: The ongoing rejuvenation of Memphis’s downtown and surrounding neighborhoods has created ideal environments for coworking spaces.
- Startup Growth: Memphis’s emerging startup scene has increased demand for flexible, affordable workspace options outside traditional office settings.
- Corporate Adoption: Larger companies have begun incorporating coworking spaces into their real estate strategies to provide flexibility for employees.
- Remote Work Surge: The dramatic rise in remote work has driven professionals to seek productive alternatives to home offices.
- Economic Development Initiatives: Local economic development efforts have supported coworking spaces as catalysts for innovation and entrepreneurship.
What began as a handful of pioneering spaces has evolved into a diverse ecosystem spanning downtown Memphis, Midtown, and beyond. The city’s coworking landscape now includes everything from grassroots community-focused spaces to premium facilities with enterprise-grade amenities. This evolution reflects broader changes in workplace environment expectations and preferences among today’s professionals.
Benefits of Coworking Spaces for Memphis Professionals
Coworking spaces offer numerous advantages for Memphis professionals across various industries and work arrangements. Understanding these benefits can help you determine whether a coworking membership makes sense for your specific situation and professional goals.
The key advantages of coworking in Memphis include:
- Cost-Effective Workspace: Coworking memberships eliminate the overhead costs of traditional office leases, including utilities, maintenance, and long-term commitments.
- Flexibility and Scalability: Most Memphis coworking spaces offer flexible terms, allowing members to scale up or down as their business needs change without penalty.
- Professional Environment: Coworking provides a dedicated workspace free from the distractions of home, with professional amenities for meetings and client interactions.
- Networking Opportunities: The collaborative nature of coworking facilitates connections with other professionals, potential clients, and collaborators.
- Productivity Enhancement: Purpose-designed work environments can improve focus and efficiency compared to working from home or coffee shops.
For businesses managing remote or hybrid teams, coworking spaces can also provide valuable solutions for maintaining team cohesion and collaboration. Effective scheduling software like Shyft can help coordinate team members’ use of coworking spaces, ensuring optimal utilization while maintaining appropriate distancing when needed. Research indicates that professionals who use coworking spaces report higher levels of job satisfaction and work meaning compared to those in traditional offices.
Types of Coworking Spaces in Memphis
Memphis offers a diverse range of coworking environments, each catering to different professional needs, work styles, and preferences. Understanding the various types available can help you identify the most suitable option for your specific requirements.
The main categories of coworking spaces in Memphis include:
- Multi-Purpose Coworking Hubs: Large, diverse spaces that accommodate various professionals and offer a range of membership options from hot desks to private offices.
- Industry-Specific Spaces: Coworking environments focused on particular sectors like technology, creative arts, or medical innovation, fostering specialized communities.
- Luxury Coworking Facilities: High-end spaces with premium amenities, concierge services, and upscale environments for professionals seeking prestigious accommodations.
- Neighborhood Coworking Spots: Smaller, community-oriented spaces in specific Memphis neighborhoods that serve local professionals.
- Hybrid Spaces: Mixed-use environments that combine coworking with other functions like coffee shops, retail, or event venues.
When evaluating your options, consider not just the physical environment but also the community and culture of each space. Many Memphis coworking facilities have developed distinct personalities that attract like-minded professionals. For managing team schedules across different coworking locations, tools like employee scheduling software can streamline coordination and ensure team members can book appropriate spaces when needed.
Key Features to Look for in Memphis Coworking Spaces
When evaluating coworking options in Memphis, several key features and amenities can significantly impact your productivity, comfort, and overall experience. Prioritizing these elements based on your specific work requirements will help you find the ideal space for your needs.
Essential considerations when comparing Memphis coworking spaces include:
- Location and Accessibility: Proximity to your home, clients, or collaborative partners; access to public transportation or parking; and neighborhood amenities like restaurants and cafes.
- Workspace Options: Availability of hot desks, dedicated desks, private offices, meeting rooms, and phone booths to accommodate different working styles and privacy needs.
- Technology Infrastructure: Reliable high-speed internet, printing facilities, video conferencing equipment, and smart presentation systems.
- Comfort and Design: Ergonomic furniture, natural lighting, noise management, temperature control, and overall aesthetic appeal of the environment.
- Community and Events: Networking opportunities, professional development workshops, social events, and community-building initiatives.
Additionally, operational factors like access hours, security measures, and booking systems can significantly impact your coworking experience. Many modern coworking spaces in Memphis utilize team communication platforms and scheduling tools to facilitate resource booking and member interactions. If you work with a team that uses coworking spaces, implementing a comprehensive team communication system can help coordinate workspace usage and enhance collaboration.
Pricing and Membership Options in Memphis Coworking Spaces
Coworking spaces in Memphis offer a variety of pricing structures and membership options to accommodate different budgets, usage patterns, and workspace needs. Understanding the typical cost framework can help you plan your workspace investment effectively and identify the best value for your specific situation.
Common pricing models in Memphis coworking spaces include:
- Day Passes: Single-day access options ranging from $15-30, ideal for occasional users or travelers needing temporary workspace.
- Hot Desk Memberships: Monthly access to non-reserved workspace, typically between $100-250 per month depending on location and amenities.
- Dedicated Desk Plans: Permanent, reserved workstations ranging from $200-400 monthly, providing consistent space and storage options.
- Private Office Memberships: Enclosed office spaces for individuals or teams, starting around $400-500 for small offices and scaling based on size and location.
- Virtual Memberships: Business address and mail services with limited physical access, typically $50-100 monthly.
Many Memphis coworking spaces offer tiered membership packages with varying levels of access to amenities like meeting rooms, printing services, and after-hours entry. For businesses managing multiple coworking memberships, workforce scheduling tools can help optimize utilization and control costs. Some spaces also provide discounts for quarterly or annual commitments, and special rates for startups, nonprofits, or specific professional groups.
Scheduling and Managing Your Coworking Experience
Effective scheduling and resource management are essential to maximizing the benefits of coworking spaces in Memphis. Whether you’re an individual professional or managing a team across multiple locations, having streamlined systems in place ensures productive workspace utilization.
Key aspects of managing your coworking experience include:
- Resource Booking Systems: Most Memphis coworking spaces offer digital platforms for reserving meeting rooms, phone booths, event spaces, and other shared resources.
- Scheduling Coordination: For teams using coworking spaces, coordinating schedules ensures effective collaboration and resource utilization.
- Access Management: Understanding and planning around available access hours, particularly for after-hours or weekend work needs.
- Visitor Protocols: Familiarizing yourself with guest policies and procedures for client meetings or collaborator visits.
- Event Participation: Planning attendance at community events, workshops, or networking opportunities offered by your coworking space.
For teams utilizing coworking spaces as part of a flexible work arrangement, shift marketplace tools can help streamline workspace allocation and scheduling. Platforms like Shyft offer shift marketplace features that allow team members to coordinate their coworking usage, swap days when needed, and ensure appropriate coverage for in-person collaboration. Additionally, mobile experience applications enable on-the-go booking and management of coworking resources.
Building Community in Memphis Coworking Spaces
One of the most valuable aspects of coworking in Memphis extends beyond the physical workspace to the community and connections these environments foster. The social and professional network available through coworking can significantly enhance your professional experience and business opportunities.
Key community elements in Memphis coworking spaces include:
- Networking Events: Regular gatherings designed to facilitate connections among members, from casual happy hours to structured networking sessions.
- Knowledge Sharing: Workshops, lunch-and-learns, and skill exchanges that leverage the diverse expertise within the community.
- Collaboration Opportunities: Natural partnerships that emerge through proximity and shared space, often leading to business relationships.
- Mentorship Connections: Access to experienced professionals who can provide guidance and support for growing businesses.
- Community Engagement: Opportunities to participate in local initiatives and contribute to Memphis’s broader business ecosystem.
Memphis coworking spaces often use team building tips and strategies to foster connection among their members. Many spaces employ community managers who facilitate introductions and identify potential synergies between members. Taking advantage of these community resources requires intentional engagement and regular participation. For teams using coworking spaces as part of their work model, implementing structured team communication protocols can help maintain cohesion while enjoying the benefits of the broader coworking community.
Optimizing Productivity in Memphis Coworking Environments
While coworking spaces offer numerous advantages, maximizing productivity in these shared environments requires intentional strategies and habits. Memphis professionals can implement specific approaches to enhance focus, efficiency, and overall work satisfaction in coworking settings.
Effective productivity strategies for Memphis coworking members include:
- Establishing Routines: Creating consistent work patterns that signal to your brain when it’s time to focus, regardless of changing surroundings.
- Strategic Space Selection: Choosing appropriate workspace types based on daily tasks—quiet zones for deep work, collaborative areas for teamwork.
- Time Management Techniques: Implementing methods like time blocking, the Pomodoro Technique, or other structured approaches to maintain focus.
- Digital Tool Optimization: Utilizing productivity applications, noise-canceling headphones, and other technology to enhance concentration.
- Setting Boundaries: Establishing clear work/social boundaries while still benefiting from the community aspects of coworking.
For teams using coworking spaces, implementing effective communication strategies can help maintain productivity while navigating the unique dynamics of shared workspaces. Scheduling software like Shyft can assist in coordinating team members’ coworking usage and ensuring appropriate coverage and collaboration opportunities. Additionally, many Memphis coworking spaces offer employee productivity strategies through workshops and resources specifically designed for shared work environments.
Future of Coworking in Memphis
The coworking landscape in Memphis continues to evolve, with emerging trends and innovations shaping the future of flexible workspaces in the city. Understanding these developments can help professionals and businesses anticipate changes and make informed decisions about their workspace strategies.
Key trends influencing the future of Memphis coworking include:
- Hybrid Work Integration: Coworking spaces increasingly serving as hubs for companies implementing hybrid work models, providing flexible touchdown spaces for employees.
- Technology Enhancement: Advanced booking systems, contactless access, and integrated digital platforms creating seamless user experiences.
- Wellness-Focused Design: Growing emphasis on spaces that support physical and mental wellbeing through biophilic elements, ergonomic furniture, and wellness amenities.
- Sustainability Initiatives: Increased focus on environmentally responsible practices, from energy-efficient buildings to waste reduction programs.
- Specialized Niche Spaces: Development of more industry-specific or demographic-focused coworking environments catering to particular professional communities.
As coworking continues to mature in Memphis, we’re likely to see greater integration with traditional commercial real estate, more corporate adoption, and innovative scheduling solutions. AI scheduling technologies are emerging as important tools for optimizing space utilization and enhancing the member experience. For businesses navigating these evolving options, staying informed about flexible scheduling options and implementing appropriate management tools can help maximize the advantages of Memphis’s growing coworking ecosystem.
Coworking for Specific Industries in Memphis
Memphis has a diverse economy with several strong industry sectors, and the coworking landscape has evolved to address the specific needs of professionals in these fields. Different industries often have unique workspace requirements, and certain coworking spaces in Memphis have developed specialized offerings to accommodate these varied needs.
Industry-specific coworking considerations in Memphis include:
- Technology and Digital Innovation: Spaces with robust technical infrastructure, dev-friendly environments, and tech-focused communities supporting Memphis’s growing innovation sector.
- Creative Industries: Coworking options with recording studios, photography spaces, design resources, and artistic communities for Memphis’s vibrant creative economy.
- Healthcare and Biomedical: Specialized environments with privacy compliance, laboratory access, and proximity to Memphis’s significant medical institutions.
- Logistics and Transportation: Coworking options convenient to Memphis’s transportation hubs with amenities supporting the needs of supply chain professionals.
- Nonprofit and Social Enterprise: Mission-aligned spaces offering reduced rates, collaboration opportunities, and resources for Memphis’s community impact organizations.
For businesses in these sectors, finding industry-aligned coworking options can provide added value beyond just workspace. Many spaces host industry-specific events, facilitate relevant connections, and offer tailored resources. For teams managing industry-specific scheduling needs, shift scheduling strategies and tools like those offered by Shyft can help coordinate team members across specialized coworking environments. Additionally, some Memphis coworking spaces have developed expertise serving particular industries like healthcare, retail, or hospitality, offering tailored amenities and communities.
Conclusion
Memphis’s coworking scene has become an integral part of the city’s evolving workplace landscape, offering valuable solutions for professionals and businesses seeking flexibility, community, and productivity-enhancing environments. From solo entrepreneurs to enterprise teams, the diverse coworking options throughout Memphis provide tailored solutions for various work styles, industries, and budgetary considerations. As the distinction between traditional and flexible workspaces continues to blur, coworking represents not just an alternative but increasingly the future of work in Memphis and beyond.
To maximize the benefits of coworking in Memphis, consider your specific needs regarding location, amenities, community, and scheduling flexibility. Explore multiple spaces before committing, and leverage technology tools like Shyft to optimize your coworking experience, particularly when coordinating teams across multiple locations. By thoughtfully engaging with Memphis’s coworking ecosystem, professionals can access not only productive workspaces but also valuable connections, resources, and opportunities that contribute to both individual and business success in this dynamic city.
FAQ
1. How much does a coworking membership cost in Memphis?
Coworking prices in Memphis vary based on membership type and location. Day passes typically range from $15-30, hot desk memberships from $100-250 monthly, dedicated desks from $200-400 monthly, and private offices starting around $400-500 for small spaces. Many spaces offer tiered pricing with different amenity packages, and some provide discounts for longer commitments or special rates for startups and nonprofits. Most Memphis coworking spaces are more affordable than comparable options in larger cities like Nashville or Atlanta, reflecting the city’s overall cost advantage.
2. What amenities are typically included in Memphis coworking spaces?
Most Memphis coworking spaces include high-speed internet, printing services, coffee and refreshments, meeting room access (often with time allocations based on membership level), and basic office supplies. Many also offer additional amenities like phone booths for private calls, event spaces, mail handling, storage options, 24/7 access for certain membership tiers, and kitchen facilities. Premium spaces may include extras like fitness areas, shower facilities, podcast studios, photography spaces, and concierge services. When comparing options, consider which amenities are included in the base membership and which require additional fees.
3. Can I book a coworking space for just a day in Memphis?
Yes, most Memphis coworking spaces offer day pass options for professionals who need temporary workspace without a monthly commitment. Day rates typically range from $15-30 depending on the location and amenities. Some spaces require advance reservation for day passes, while others accommodate walk-ins based on availability. If you anticipate needing multiple day passes throughout a month, inquire about multi-day packages, which may offer better value than individual day rates. For teams needing occasional meeting space, many coworking facilities also rent meeting rooms by the hour without requiring a membership.
4. How do I choose the right coworking space in Memphis?
Selecting the ideal Memphis coworking space requires considering several factors: location convenience, workspace types offered, community atmosphere, industry alignment, amenities, and budget. Start by touring multiple spaces to experience the environment firsthand. Ask about trial periods or day passes to test the space before committing to a membership. Consider your working style—whether you need quiet focus areas or collaborative environments—and evaluate each space’s noise levels and layout. Check the community composition to determine if it aligns with your networking goals, and review the event calendar to assess community engagement opportunities. Finally, examine the flexibility of contracts to ensure they accommodate your changing needs.
5. Are there industry-specific coworking spaces in Memphis?
Yes, Memphis has developed several industry-focused coworking environments. These include spaces catering to creative professionals with recording studios and design resources; innovation-focused spaces supporting tech entrepreneurs with specialized equipment and mentorship; medical and biotech-oriented facilities near healthcare districts; and social impact hubs for nonprofit and community organizations. Some spaces maintain a deliberate industry mix to encourage cross-sector collaboration, while others cultivate communities around specific professional fields. When researching options, ask about the current member composition and whether the space actively recruits professionals from your industry, as this can significantly impact networking and collaboration opportunities.
