You may need a co-working space if you are looking for a quiet place with fast internet connection, a student who needs a study place away from your worst distractions, no power in your house or a start-up/business that needs a hybrid space with services.
What is a co-working space? In it’s primordial sense, it’s a shared space with shared resources. It primarily includes tables, chairs, internet connection, utilities and shared “living” facilities. It can have add-ons such as mailbox, lockers, meeting rooms, tables for monthly rents, service desks and “pop-up” seminars.
Banwa Coworking Space
This is located above Grace Pharmacy; 2nd Floor, Saint Anne’s Building, Lacson Street corner 13th Street, Bacolod CIty, Philippines. This is just across Bong-Bong’s Pasalubong. Last time I worked here, the rate was P50/hour.
Arendo Coworking Space
This is so far the longest-standing coworking space in Bacolod City. Near Lasalle area, and is only a walking distance to McDonald’s and Jollibee. Arendo has distinctive features such as dedicated sliding glass office spaces, lockers, and a sofa set.
Parking space: Challenging if during class hours because those from Roli’s dorm or the commercial spaces may use them but they have a parking space at the back. You can enter the road between McDonalds and the church.
Operating hours: 7AM to 7PM
Orange Shire
This is walking distance from Lacson Street because it is only at the back of Bar 21 at 21st street. So far, location-wise, this is prime. You can even walk to schools like San Ag, Riverside, and AMA. It is one ride via jeep to SM, north terminal, lagoon, and Lacson strip.
Parking space: They have few slots for parking at the front, and you can park at the back portion near ABES elementary.
Operating hours: 24 hours
Luri Multistudy Cafe
Also located near Lacson Street. This is near Bascon Cafe, Tom n Toms, Lunar, and Globe office. So far this is the coworking space with the highest structure (3 floors). Many, however, find their rates quite expensive but I can see that their facilities also seem expensive.
Thinkerbell Coworking
This is very near and almost a walking distance away from Arendo Coworking. Its cafe feature is more dominant and has variety of baked goods. Opens from 10AM to 7PM.
Parkinn at SM Bacolod
Parkinn by Radisson is located at SM Bacolod. They have a fast wifi and an area dedicated for coworking or studying.
1077 Coworking
1077 coworking space is located in Malaspina St., Villamonte Bacolod City. They also have a place for group meetings 0r conference.
Capernaum
Capernaum is located along 6th street. It is nearer to Lagoon park and has a predominant cafe/bakery vibe. It also has 3 glass-partitioned cubicles.
In my observation, what will make a co-working space truly unique and valuable is when it will serve not just a place for work or study but for incubation and business acceleration.
Imagine a place where instead of just providing a space and WiFi, there’s a dedicated team offering support ranging to solo entrepreneurs to partnerships, to firms or associates, to SMBs. This could include business consultants, SMB strategists, technical experts, secretaries, and financial analysts.
