Destination Report: West London coworking spaces
Zen gardens, gothic architecture and Subiaco marble: we list some of our favourite coworking spots spanning the W-postcode.
TOG United house
Providing an alternative to working from the office or at home, coworking spaces continue to offer environments flexible in both form and function. The sophisticated neighbour to the more gritty and trendy East London, stylish coworking spots are in abundance on the Western boroughs of the City; from upmarket Fitzrovia to vibrant Notting Hill, here’s our top picks of spaces to work from when you’re craving a change of scenery.
united house
The Office Group, United House, Notting Hill
TOG’s design team collaborated with award-winning architects Universal Design Studio to transform a four storey, 41,495 sqft building into a vibrant, light-filled workspace that can house companies ranging from 2 – 500 employees. Two distinct themes underpin the design philosophy for United House: a sense of ‘indoor, outdoor’ runs throughout the communal spaces and architectural features, and the eclectic, vibrant homes of Notting Hill’s inhabitants and wider community have provided the inspiration for closed rooms and accent furnishings. Read more
Where: 9 Pembridge Road, Notting Hill, London W11 3JY
theofficegroup.com
FORA
Fora at 22 Berners Street, Fitzrovia
To ensure a rich and unique design story, designers Oktra chose to retain the existing warehouse-style building fabric of 22 Berners Street, and incorporate the occasional design surprise. Each room in this coworking offering is bold in its own way, featuring elements of craft, such as detailing, timber and Diespeker’s stunning bespoke terrazzo floor. Amenities include state-of-the-art technology, resident’s lounge, a ground floor barista café and five floors of tailored workspace and landscaped terraces with views over the city. Read more
Where: 22 Berners St, London W1T 3LP
foraspace.com
KINDRED
Kindred, Hammersmith
Located in a historic listed building in Hammersmith, design studio Run For the Hills (RFTH) has brought home comforts into Kindred, a coworking space for those who want to “work near home” while still connecting with the outside world. RFTH achieved the relaxed style by using a colourful mix of upholstered seating, armchairs, pouffes and soft furnishings and layering them up with accessories and a range of botanicals. Walls were also darkened around the performance stage ready for the next ‘Kindred Live’ event.
Acknowledging division to be an issue for those living in the capital, Kindred is a coworking space with purpose. “Loneliness and disconnectedness was a huge problem even before lockdown and for many Londoners, one of the ways to reconnect is through work, and the friendships they form throughout their careers,” says Anna Anderson, Kindred’s co-founder. Read more
wearekindred.com
LABS
LABS Victoria House, Bloomsbury
Workspace provider LABS and architects Hutchinson & Partners worked with TSK Group to carefully restore the 200,000 sq ft Grade-II listed building Victoria House in Bloomsbury, launching the building as one of London’s newest workplace and lifestyle destinations. LABS and architects Hutchinson & Partners have beautifully revitalised the Grade-II listed building, including exclusive furniture designed in collaboration with Fred Rigby Studio.
Portland stone columns reveal an impressive entrance hall, carved in a neoclassical style from Subiaco marble and Italian travertine, and in the members atrium, The Long Suite, a series of booths with oak timber dividers add a warm layer to the space. Creating a harmonious bridge between heritage and modern, Victoria House features a carefully curated palette of complementary and elegant natural materials. The result is a ‘unified design that gathers the original, the renovated, and the new, detailed in a refined and minimal fashion.’ Read more
labs.com
Huckletree Soho
Huckletree Soho
Design practice Thirdway melded upscale art-deco, 70s Miami and industrial elements into a cohesive design aesthetic across Huckletree Soho’s 14,000 sq ft space, which is spread across three floors. Velvet, neon and track lighting blend with statement pieces including a tailormade, dark green sofa with unique shape and bespoke fabric. Industrial cladding is softened by natural touches, such as the stone reception desk and slatted bar with banquet seating area – designed for impromptu conversations between businesses.
A series of meeting spaces on the lower basement level with bright palettes, natural materials and bold furniture create versatile spaces that serve needs as diverse as VC meetings and meditation sessions: including a ‘Zen room’ featuring immersive cityscape walls and wooden floor scattered with richly patterned cushions. Read more
Where: Ingestre Court, Ingestre Pl, London W1F 0JL
huckletree.com
Uncommon
Uncommon, Fulham
A stone’s throw from Parsons Green, Uncommon is sandwiched between independent cafes and boutique shops in an area of London that feels worlds apart from the crowds in Piccadilly Circus, despite being a mere four miles away. Featuring lavish centrepieces in the form of a decadent ‘marble’ counter at the café and eclectic pendant lighting overhead, this is a coworking space – designed in partnership with Cousins & Cousins – for those who appreciate the finer details.
Outside a zen garden offers an area to unwind, complemented by free fitness classes to instill a calmer way of working. Inside, visitors can opt for a meeting room or event space, or make the most of the venue’s ‘focus zones’ made up of silent and private booths. A members lounge is also available for those who wish to join, enabling opportunities to connect with likeminded people.
Where: 126 New King’s Road, London, SW6 4LZ
uncommon.co.uk
Missionworks
Missionworks, Hammersmith
Featuring original beams retained from the iconic Grade II listed ‘Mission Hall’ on Iffley Road, Missionworks is a coworking space, designed by Hut Architecture, ideal for those who favour gothic architecture and light, airy interiors. A hub for the local community for over 120 years, Missionworks continues the building’s legacy by providing an environment suited to both lone workers and project teams. Inside users will find an assortment of productive spaces bursting with biophilia (inspired by the findings of Swiss psychologist Jean Piaget), a muted green and cream kitchen that almost resembles a residential home, and offerings including phone booths and showers.
Where: 41 Iffley Rd, London W6 0PB
missionworks.uk
