The Ravenswood Coworking Group :: www.ravenswoodcoworking.com

 

The Ravenswood Coworking Group is a shared office environment for independent workers and entrepreneurs looking to end the “working alone” syndrome, without resorting to leasing an expensive private office.

 

The RCG office is currently located at Montrose and Ravenswood, steps from the Brown Line El station at Montrose.

 

Our office has everything you’d normally expect, like a secured entry, conference room, and shared printer and fax. We also feature critical amenities often lacking in the lives of today’s independent professionals, like other human beings, social interaction, and the lack of guilt if you don’t buy a latte to justify your presence.

 

Why

Although we’ve heard pretty much every reason for taking office space with us, we still enjoy hearing individual stories. No two are alike. 

 

Most people that arrive here are escaping situations that can be roughly categorized into the following (or in some cases, a combination of the following):

  

1-     Realizing that working from home is no longer awesome if you’re home pretty much all day, everyday. If you’re prone to extreme homesickness, or agoraphobia, this may not be a problem. For others, you quickly realize how much you miss being part of the human race, and being around others. 

 

2-     Combining work and living space is sometimes an economic necessity, but separating the two can help you regain sanity and increase productivity. You’re at home to live your life. You’re at work to work, and nothing else—right? So why mix the two? 

 

3-     Although working from a café is a possibility, it’s not exactly something any of us want to do everyday. It’s loud, people are out to steal your laptop, and it’s not the most professional place to meet clients on a regular basis. Regularly hearing an espresso machine during your phone conversation can be distracting.

  

4-     You’ve already scouted office space, but pretty much everything is either outrageously expensive, a dump with no amenities, or just a single private room, with zero opportunities to socialize with others… or all three. (Saying “hi” to people in the hallway on their way to the bathroom does not count as socializing. Asking your office mate how their weekend was while you both get coffee, is.)

  

Who

Our current office members are involved in fields ranging from programming, film editing, web development, graphic design, chocolate sales, PhD dissertation work, software consulting, mobile phone repair, student homework grading, and pharmaceutical distribution. 

 

Past members have included a dog walking business, concert promoter, consultants in the PR, online marketing, and customer service training industries.

  

Of course, we do not require, but strongly encourage networking and collaboration among our members. Previous collaborative efforts have resulted in shared work projects, helping others find services they need, or simply exchanging ideas on how to efficiently write code.

 

 

Office Features

We currently have a 3,100 square foot space, with enough work stations to accommodate 24 people simultaneously. 

 

Work stations are divided into the following classes: private, dedicated, and floating. 

 

4 private offices: These are 120sf individual, lockable offices within the space. Includes a desk, chair, and hard-wired internet connection.  

 

8 dedicated work stations: Desk space located in the main office area, that is, once chosen, yours and yours only. Includes a desk, chair, and hard-wired internet connection, and lockable wall cabinet. 

 

 

12 floating work stations: Desk space located along the north wall that is unassigned, and taken based upon availability. Work station availability is guaranteed every time you come in; however, you are not guaranteed the same spot every time. A chair is included at every station, and internet connectivity is wireless. 

  

All users have access to the conference and private work rooms. Conference room use is either first come, first serve, or by advance booking through an online scheduling system. The same policy is used for the private work room. 

 

Other features include a kitchenette area (sink, microwave, refrigerator, coffee maker, etc), shared black and white laser printer, color inkjet printer, and fax machine. Office entry is secured with RFID keyfobs, meaning trespass via unauthorized key duplication is impossible. This space also has private guest parking in the adjacent lot. Should those be taken, we also have 2 more private spots, reserved specifically for visiting clients or expecting mothers. For everyone else, 100% free street parking abounds after 10am. Should you occasionally need to arrive before 10am, free parking permits are available. If you need to come in before 10am everyday, a permanent parking permit can be obtained for $25.

  

Our office is conveniently located next to the Brown Line El station, and 4 blocks from the Ravenswood Metra station. The Montrose bus stop is also steps from our front door. 

 

Dining options in the immediate area include Italian, diner-food, sandwiches & bagels, Thai, Mexican, and pub fare. (respectively, Spacca Napoli, Glenn’s Diner, Beans & Bagels, Roong Petch, La Amistad, etc.) Further down the street, 9 minutes walking distance, are all the restaurants and bars along Lincoln Ave in the Lincoln Square / North Center neighborhood. 

  

Rental Terms

All prospective members must fill out a basic application. There is no fee to apply.

  

For all desk classes, the first month is without contract. All that is required to get in is the application, security deposit, and first month’s rent. If, after 30 days, our space does not fit your office needs, your security deposit will be returned, and you will not be obligated to continue renting.

  

Private offices: Requires first and last month’s rent, 12 month term minimum. Payment can be made by check, made payable to the Ravenswood Coworking Group.

  

Permanent desks: Requires first and last month, 6 month term minimum. Payments starting on the second month are to be made by electronic funds transfer (ACH payment), withdrawn on the 5^th day of each month. After the initial 6 month term, you can continue another 6 month term indefinitely, or you can end your lease, and your security deposit will be returned.

  

Floater desks: Requires first and last month, 3 month term minimum. Payment will be charged to a credit card, on the first of the month, until the end of the 3 month term. After the initial 3 month term, you can continue another 3 month term indefinitely, or you can end your lease and receive your security deposit. 

 

Contact

 

Visit:  www.ravenswoodcoworking.com

For answers to questions that are still unanswered, please call Jeff at 773-546-9874, or email