Photo by Startup Stock Photos from Pexels The definition of the office has been revolutionised by the concept of co-working spaces. Instead of taking on big overheads for your small business or start-up, you can now share an office space. The perks are multifaceted. From cutting down on costs and portraying a professional corporate image, to working in an environment with likeminded people with access to a great networking platform.
Whether you are a digital nomad, an entrepreneur, or part of a small business team – there will be a co-working space in the Mother City to fit your needs and budget. We’ve rounded up the best co working spaces Cape Town has to offer.
Understanding Co-working Spaces/Shared Office Spaces
Before we dive into the top coworking spaces in Cape Town, let’s familiarize you with the lingo, if you are new to the concept. Upon arrival, you will get a tour of the space, and the office manager will tell you where the hot desks are located, the shared office spaces, and the private offices.
Hot desks work on a first come, first served basis. You might be lucky to sit on the same seat every day if you pitch at the right time. But you can’t feel disgruntled if someone steals “your” seat. If you are a creature of habit, and can afford it, you should then rather consider the shared office space option. You won’t have complete privacy, but you will be guaranteed the same seat every day. At some coworking spaces you can also set up your computer permanently. This is a good option if you work on a big screen connected to your laptop.
If you like the idea of a designated space, but would prefer more privacy for your team, you can secure a private office within the bigger general coworking space. This is a great option for a small company or start-up, offering you the comforts of an office, without having to worry about high rental and running costs.
Coworking spaces are also known as shared office space or hot desking.
#1 Kelvin Corner
This one recently joined the Cape Town coworking space scene. It’s perfect for the trendy entrepreneurial Woodstock. The space is nice and expansive. Desk spaces include a small filing cabinet. There are also small offices available to rent on a weekly, monthly or yearly basis. You can make use of the communal kitchen, lounge area, sun deck, and in-house coffee shop. There’s even a gallery on site for a bit of creative inspiration. Kelvin Corner hosts regular workshops which members have access to. To top it all off, there’s a bar situated downstairs for an after work drink.
Address: 170 Victoria Street, Woodstock
Cost: Hot Desks daily @ R150 | Hot Desks monthly @ R2 200
Visit kelvincorner.com for more information
#2 Craft+Graft
This bright and airy space will get your creative juices flowing in no time. Craft+Graft is decorated with quirky art piece and potted plants to create a relaxed ambiance while you chase that deadline. There’s also an on-site coffee shop to keep you in tiptop shape all day. Or you can drink some sparkling water on tap! Grab a beer after work from the little mini bar and relax in the communal areas. Use the well-equipped shared kitchen to save on lunch costs. In the summer the patio is perfect for after-work drinks. There’s even showers installed if you have to rush off to a big event after work, or clean up in the morning if you cycled to work. This space strikes the perfect balance between professional and a home away from home atmosphere.
Address: 2 Gordon Street, Gardens
Cost: Hot Desk daily @ R200 | Hot Desk monthly @ R2 100
Visit craftgraft.co.za for more information
#3 Greenpoint Coworking
If you like the idea of working close to the beach, this is a good choice. Its location is perfect for a stroll on the promenade before or after work. Enjoy uncapped fibre and unlimited coffee. The coworking space’s location is perfect for a more relaxed vibe, yet still near enough to the city to pop in for a meeting. Snatch a seat at the window to stare out into space if you need inspiration, or just plain distraction.
Address: Third Floor, Foyer A, Sovereign Quay, 40 Somerset Road, Green Point
Cost: Hot Desk daily @ R250 | Full Membership @ R3 300
Visit greenpointcoworking.co.za for more information
#4 The Bureaux
The Bureaux has three branches across the city each with their own unique perks, benefits, and vibe. It’s a great space to meet likeminded people and challenge yourself to be more productive while feeling part of a community. They are geared towards creating the ultimate working experience for those keen to embrace the new meaning of a working space.
Address: The Woodstock Exchange, Woodstock | Waterclub, Mouille Point | The Point Centre, Sea Point
Cost: Nomad Space monthly @ R1 000 | Fixed Desk monthly @ R1 850
Visit thebureaux.co.za for more information
#5 Workshop 17
Workshop17 was one of the first coworking spaces in the country. They have branches in both Cape Town and Johannesburg, a good choice if you often travel between the two cities for work. Each venue has its own unique vibe. Try them all out for a free day, to see which one fits you best.
Address: The Watershed, V&A Waterfront | Kloof Street, Gardens | Harrington Street, Zonnebloem | Tabakhuis, Paarl
Cost: Hot Desk daily @ R350 | Hot Desk monthly @ R2 000
Visit workshop17.co.za for more information
Please note: parking in the Cape Town CBD is mostly paid metered parking, an extra cost to take into consideration when choosing a space.
#6 Inner City Ideas Cartel
Also known as “The IC” amongst the creative community of the city, this luxury coworking space is the perfect starting point to grow your business. The fully-serviced space offers communal lounges and an in-house coffee bar to spruce up your work day. Let the stylish environment inspire you to greater heights while you rub shoulders with fellow creatives, entrepreneurs, and freelancers. There are three branches across the city.
Address: De Waterkant | Cape Town CBD | Green Point
Cost: Hot Desk daily @ R350 | Hot Desk monthly @ R2 000
Visit ideascartel.com for more information
#7 Work & Co
This innovative collaborative workspace pushes the boundaries of what “office” means. The flexible and ambitious space is dedicated to creating a sense of community for freelancers, remote teams, entrepreneurs, and small/medium sized enterprises. Here you can embrace all the wonderful benefits of a coworking space in Cape Town!
Address: 11th–14th floor Touchstone House, 7 Bree Street, Cape Town CBD
Cost: Hot Desk daily @ R390 | Hot Desk monthly @ R2 900
Visit workandco.co.za for more information
#8 Cubeways Workspace
This is another coworking space with branches in both Cape Town and Johannesburg, perfect choice for business travellers. It’s a premium office space with various flexible offerings to accommodate your needs – from virtual to large office spaces, entrepreneurs to established businesses. Ideal location for a start-up to find its feet and grow. The brand believes in creating an environment where workstyle can meet lifestyle.
Address: V&A Waterfront | Icon Building, Cape Town CBD | Rondebosch
Cost: Hot Desk monthly @ R2 100 | Dedicated Desk monthly R2 500
Visit cubeworkspace.co.za for more information
#9 Akro
Akro has the motto of “serious work time and serious play time”. The space is shared by start-ups, freelancers, and part-time Phd students. The facilities include a full kitchen and coffee shop. You can also request a daily prepared lunch. The environment is geared towards effortlessly mixing work life and fun, with pin-pong tables to take the work stress off during your lunch hour or after work. They also hosts quiz nights as well as other workshops focused on building a thriving career.
Address: Cape Town CBD | Salt River
Cost: Hot Desk daily @ R250 | Hot Desk monthly @ R1 750
Visit akro.co.za for more information
#10 №80 Hout Street
An impressive² loft coworking space in the bustling CBD. The space attracts creatives from a variety of fields including coders, writers, designers and photographers. It’s an open-plan space with a sophisticated minimalistic vibe.
Address: 80 Hout St, Cape Town CBD
Cost: 1.8m Fixed Desk monthly @ R2 200 | 2.0m Fixed ‘Window’ Desk monthly @ R2 800
Visit coworkingcapetown.co.za for more information
