by Brianna Crandall — January 31, 2018 — Workbar Back Bay, located at 399 Boylston Street in Boston, has officially opened. Representing a new model for wellness-focused coworking spaces, Workbar Back Bay is designed to meet the exacting WELL Building Standard. Everything from lighting, air ventilation and temperature controls to the gym and café snack offerings is designed to optimize the health and well-being of the coworking members. The 12,000-square-foot space can accommodate up to 300 members and features Workbar’s signature “neighborhoods” designed to meet the needs of different work styles.
Workbar Back Bay in Boston is said to be the first coworking space designed to meet the exacting WELL Building Standard.
Among the companies and solopreneurs working from this new location is the Techstars Autonomous Accelerator, a partnership with the US Air Force that gives the military service access to emerging technologies. Ten startups from around the country have been selected to participate in the accelerator, which is primarily focused on anti-drone technologies.
Warren Katz, managing director of the Techstars Autonomous Accelerator, remarked:
We are delighted to be the anchor tenant for Workbar’s eighth location. The space is beautiful, location outstanding, and layout highly conducive to Techstars’ culture and program.
Bill Jacobson, founder and CEO of Workbar, stated:
Designing spaces that make our members healthy, happy and productive is something we strive to do with each new location. When I learned about the WELL standard and its science-based approach to designing and operating spaces that provide well-being, I wanted to try to achieve the standard at Workbar. We were happy to learn that many of the elements were already incorporated into our design. Going the extra distance to meet the emerging WELL standard at our new Back Bay location has produced a mentally and physically enjoyable place to work, while helping guide the design of all future Workbar locations.
In partnership with Analogue Studio, Osram, and Equity Office, Workbar Back Bay incorporates wellness features into seven concepts: air, mind, water, nourishment, light, fitness, and comfort. Workbar Back Bay’s layout offers a functional neighborhood-style open-plan design, 10 private offices, 10 phone rooms, nine conference rooms, a café, multiple breakout meeting spaces, a podcast recording room, and free access to the location’s gym.
The space’s features also include: cutting-edge smart-lighting systems, WELL-managed energy efficiency and water conservation, smart heating and cooling sensors that adjust room temperatures based upon the number of occupants in the room, an advanced underfloor air system, ultra-modern construction pollution management systems, and an advanced water filtration system.
According to the site’s Web site, additional amenities are offered such as fast and secure Wi-Fi; 24/7 keycard access; access to members-only events, perks and digital platform; large community kitchen space; mail and storage services available; printer, scanner and fax machine; free office supplies; bottomless fair-trade coffee, still and sparkling water, fruit and snacks; and a variety of standing, sitting and soft seating workspaces
Workbar offers eight locations throughout Greater Boston and partnerships with 12 more coworking sites across the state. The network of shared workspaces is designed to provide a “hub-and-spoke” system for people whose work takes them all over the region. Workbar caters to small businesses, freelancers, entrepreneurs, startups, and corporate clients with remote teams looking for an affordable, flexible place to work and to meet with clients and other like-minded professionals. With professionally managed space and top-tier office amenities, Workbar says its coworking spaces are built with the connections needed to “inspire, provoke and ignite productivity and passion.”
For more information about this location, visit the Workbar Back Bay Web site.
