Civic Vox

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This report provides a comprehensive analysis of the coworking space market in Birmingham, Alabama, examining its current state, comparing it with similar-sized cities in the United States, and outlining its anticipated future direction. The study reveals a dynamic market in Birmingham, characterized by a blend of national chains and independent operators catering to a diverse range of needs. When compared to cities with similar populations and economic profiles, such as Richmond, Chattanooga, and Knoxville, Birmingham exhibits a comparable presence of coworking spaces, with potential distinctions in niche specialization and pricing strategies. The future of Birmingham’s coworking market appears promising, largely driven by the increasing prevalence of remote work and the continuous emergence of new flexible workspace options. This analysis concludes with recommendations for potential users, investors, and coworking space operators seeking to navigate or engage with this evolving market.

The Coworking Space Market in Birmingham, Alabama

Current Landscape of Coworking Spaces:

Birmingham’s coworking scene presents a multifaceted environment with a variety of options available for individuals and businesses seeking flexible workspace solutions. Online directories such as CommercialSearch list numerous coworking spaces operating in the city, alongside industrial and other types of commercial properties

Major national players like Regus maintain a significant footprint with multiple locations throughout Birmingham offering a range of services and membership levels. Complementing these established chains is a vibrant ecosystem of independent coworking spaces, each with its unique character and focus. Notable examples include Forge, known for its community and central downtown location. The Hub, recognized for its close-knit community and amenities, and Innovation Depot, which serves as a hub for Birmingham’s tech and startup community.1

The number of coworking spaces identified varies across different online platforms, reflecting the dynamism of the market. For instance, Coworker.com indicates 12 coworking spaces in Birmingham ⁸, while Office Hub notes 4 specific coworking spaces but also mentions a total of 28 available spaces encompassing virtual, sublet, shared, serviced, private, managed, and enterprise options.⁹ This discrepancy suggests that the definition and categorization of flexible workspace can differ across sources, and the market is subject to continuous change with new entrants and evolutions of existing spaces. The presence of both globally recognized brands and locally grown concepts underscores the breadth of the coworking market in Birmingham, aiming to cater to a wide spectrum of professional needs and preferences.

Detailed Profiles of Coworking Spaces:

A closer examination of Birmingham’s coworking spaces reveals a diverse set of offerings in terms of location, membership options, pricing, amenities, and community focus.

• Types of Memberships Offered: Birmingham’s coworking spaces offer a wide range of membership options designed to meet diverse needs. These include basic coworking memberships providing access to open workspaces and shared amenities ³, dedicated desks for individuals seeking a more permanent workspace within a shared environment ³, private offices for teams or individuals requiring a secure and enclosed space ⁷, virtual office memberships offering a business address and mail handling services ¹, and access to event spaces and meeting rooms for hourly or daily rental.¹ Some spaces, like Forge, also offer specialized memberships such as group memberships.¹⁰ The availability of these varied options underscores the market’s adaptability to different work styles and business sizes, from freelancers and startups to larger companies needing flexible project spaces.

• Amenities: Coworking spaces in Birmingham provide a diverse array of amenities to support productivity and comfort. Standard offerings often include high-speed internet, such as the 250 Mbps fiber internet provided at Forge ⁵, access to meeting rooms equipped with presentation technology ⁵, kitchen facilities with complimentary coffee and tea ⁷, and printing and scanning services.⁵ Many spaces also offer unique amenities to attract specific user groups. For instance, Polaris features a podcast room ⁷, Innovation Depot boasts a fitness center and EV charging stations ⁷, and WORX BHM is known for being pet-friendly.⁷ The Lindsey Building even offers a golf simulator.⁷ Practice Works, catering to health professionals, provides therapy rooms and yoga studios.³ The availability of these varied amenities highlights the trend of coworking spaces aiming to provide a comprehensive work environment that extends beyond basic office infrastructure.

• Community Events: Fostering a sense of community is a key aspect of many coworking spaces in Birmingham. Forge, for example, emphasizes community building through member-only events, educational programs, and a private social network.³ The Olive Branch offers professional and social events and workshops.¹ The Lindsey Building hosts network events, coworking tournaments, and lunches.¹¹ These initiatives aim to create networking opportunities, facilitate collaboration, and enhance the overall member experience. The emphasis on community varies across different spaces, but it remains a significant draw for many individuals seeking more than just a place to work.

Key coworking spaces in Birmingham include Forge, located downtown at 120 19th Street North, offering memberships starting at $189 per month and boasting amenities like fast internet, member events, and covered parking.⁵ The Hub, situated in West Homewood at 174 Oxmoor Rd, provides a close-knit community with memberships starting at $150 per month and featuring natural light and free coffee.⁴Regus has multiple locations, including one at Shipt Tower (420 North 20th Street) with dedicated desks from $259 per month and day coworking from $45.² WORX BHM operates at 324 Commons Drive and 2081 Columbiana Road, with memberships starting at $150 per month and offering 24/7 access and pet-friendly environments.⁴ Innovation Depot, at 1500 1st Avenue North, focuses on the tech community and provides amenities like a fitness center and EV charging.⁷ Practice Works, with locations at 2208 University Blvd and 400 Vestavia Parkway, caters to health professionals with memberships starting at $49 per month.⁴ SocialVenture, located at 5529 1st Ave S, offers day passes and monthly memberships for a community-focused environment.⁴ The Lindsey Building, at 2828 Old 280 Court in Vestavia Hills, provides coworking options with dedicated desks starting at $250 per month and unique amenities like a golf simulator.⁴ Werkplās, at 3000 Riverchase Galleria in Hoover, offers a traditional office setup with various coworking options.⁴ Thrive Coworking at 1209 1st Avenue South provides 24/7 access, high-speed internet, and community events.¹² Execusuites at 2024 3rd Avenue North offers private offices and workstations with amenities like a receptionist and on-street parking.¹³ Office at 4439 5th Avenue South provides meeting rooms and private offices with a garden and natural light.⁷ Polaris at 5521 1st Avenue South features a podcast room and event space.⁷ Executive Office Suites and Services – Birmingham at 2820 Old Columbiana Road offers IT support and fax services.⁷ Creed63 at 1601 5th Avenue North emphasizes community and resources for entrepreneurs.⁷ The Olive Branch at 7841 1st Avenue North provides a wellness-focused collective.¹⁴ Makebhm at 4000 3rd Avenue South is a makerspace with coworking areas.⁴ Red Mountain Makers at 5502 1st Ave N offers a space for woodworking and other crafts.⁴ Workspace at 201 Cahaba Valley Parkway in Pelham offers flexible office space.⁴ Orchard House at 3504 7th Ave S is a boutique coworking space for women.⁴ Workshop at 186 Oxmoor Road in Homewood offers hourly and daily rentals.⁴

Summary Table of Birmingham Coworking Spaces:

Name	Address	Starting Price (Coworking)	Key Amenities	Unique Features/Niche
Forge	120 19th Street North Suite 200	$189/month	Fast Internet, Member Events, Covered Parking	Community-focused, Downtown Location
The Hub	174 Oxmoor Rd	$150/month	Natural Light, Free Coffee, Outdoor Workspace	Close-knit Community, West Homewood
Regus (Shipt Tower)	420 North 20th Street	$259/month (Dedicated Desk)	Business Lounge, Meeting Rooms, 24/7 Access	Prime Downtown Location
WORX BHM	324 Commons Drive / 2081 Columbiana Road	$150/month	24/7 Access, Pet-Friendly, Mail Service	Flexible Terms, Suburban Locations
Innovation Depot	1500 1st Avenue North	Contact for Pricing	Fitness Center, EV Charging, Event Space	Tech and Startup Focused
Practice Works	2208 University Blvd / 400 Vestavia Parkway	$49/month	Therapy Rooms, Yoga Studio, Lounge Area	Health and Wellness Professionals
SocialVenture	5529 1st Ave S	$275/month (Personal Desk)	Meeting Space, Free Wifi, Secured Parking	Community-Oriented, Supports REV Birmingham
The Lindsey Building	2828 Old 280 Ct, Vestavia Hills	$350/month (Dedicated Desk)	Golf Simulator, Meeting Rooms, 24/7 Security	Fun Community Atmosphere, Vestavia Hills Location
Werkplās	3000 Riverchase Galleria #1500, Hoover	$30/day (Walk-up Desk)	Meeting Rooms, Concierge, Free Parking	Traditional Office Setup, Galleria Location
Thrive Coworking	1209 1st Ave South	$99/month (Brew Club)	24/7 Access, High-Speed Wifi, Phone Booths	Design-Forward Spaces, Community-Focused
Execusuites	2024 3rd Avenue North	$350/month (Workstation)	Receptionist, On-street Parking, Kitchen	Rustic Ambiance, Downtown Location
Office	4439 5th Avenue South	Contact for Pricing	Meeting Room, Garden, Natural Light	Boutique Coworking
Polaris	5521 1st Avenue South	Contact for Pricing	Podcast Room, Event Space, TV/Monitor	Event-Focused Space
Executive Office Suites	2820 Old Columbiana Road #210	Contact for Pricing	IT Support, Fax Services, Kitchen	Traditional Office Suites and Services
Creed63	1601 5th Avenue North	$39.99/month (Virtual)	Meeting Rooms, Break Room, Workshops	Inclusive Space for Community and Entrepreneurs
The Olive Branch	7841 1st Avenue North	Contact for Pricing	Accessible, Workshops, Professional Events	Wellness Collective
Makebhm	4000 3rd Ave S	$120/month	Printing Studio, Ceramics Studio, Coworking	Makerspace with Coworking
Red Mountain Makers	5502 1st Ave N	$40/month	Woodworking Shop, Metal Shop, 3D Printing	Makerspace for Various Crafts
Workspace	201 Cahaba Valley Parkway, Pelham	$50/month	Private Desks, Team Offices, Meeting Rooms	Flexible Office Space, Pelham Location
Orchard House	3504 7th Ave S	$150/month	Kitchen, Phone Booths, Photo Studio	Women-Focused Coworking Space
Workshop	186 Oxmoor Road, Homewood	$100/hour (Rental)	Lounge Area, Kitchenette, Smart TV	Meeting and Event Space

Comparative Analysis with Similar-Sized Cities

Identification of Comparable Cities:

Based on population data, Birmingham, Alabama, with an estimated population of around 194,000 to 196,000 in 2023-2025 15, can be compared to several cities of similar size. Considering suggestions from various sources and focusing on cities with available economic data within the provided snippets, Chattanooga, Tennessee (population around 180,000 18), Richmond, Virginia (population around 227,000 19), and Knoxville, Tennessee (population around 190,000 20) have been identified as comparable for this analysis.

Coworking Space Market in Comparable Cities:

Richmond, Virginia: Richmond boasts a notable coworking market with various operators. Regus has a presence, including locations at Truist Place and Boulders Business Park.²¹ Other coworking spaces include Gather, with multiple locations ²², Common House, which combines coworking with a social club ²³, Venture X Richmond ²⁴, and Expansive Shockoe Slip.²⁵ These spaces offer a range of memberships, from open coworking to private offices, and amenities such as meeting rooms, high-speed internet, and community events.

Chattanooga, Tennessee: Chattanooga’s coworking scene includes Regus at Tallan Financial Center and 721 Broad Street ²⁶, Society of Work, known for its flexibility and community ²⁷, Meeting Pointe, offering furnished offices with flexible leases ²⁹, Common House with a focus on social and professional connections ³⁰, Dstation CreativeSpace ²⁷, and CoKno, a shared workspace for creatives.³¹ These spaces provide diverse options for remote workers, entrepreneurs, and small businesses.

Knoxville, Tennessee: Knoxville features coworking spaces such as Regus in First Horizon Plaza and Cedar Bluff ³², TKO Suites offering virtual and private offices ³³, 121 Tech Hub ³³, CoKno, emphasizing community and work-life balance ³¹, MyNextSuite ³³, and AlmaDiem.³³ The market in Knoxville appears to cater to a mix of professionals and includes spaces with unique amenities like golf simulators.³³

Comparative Assessment:

Birmingham’s coworking market, with its blend of national chains and independent operators, appears to be on par with Richmond and Chattanooga in terms of the number of listed spaces. Knoxville’s market seems slightly smaller based on the initial review of the provided snippets. Average pricing for basic coworking memberships likely varies across all four cities, with Regus locations showing relatively consistent starting prices, while independent spaces adjust their rates based on location, amenities, and target audience. In terms of amenities, the core offerings of high-speed internet, meeting rooms, and kitchen facilities are generally standard across the cities.

However, each city also features spaces with unique focuses. Richmond’s Common House stands out with its social club model, Chattanooga highlights its connection to an “Innovation District,” and Knoxville has spaces like CoKno geared towards creative professionals. Birmingham also showcases niche spaces like Practice Works for health professionals and Makebhm for the creative community, indicating a trend of specialization in these markets.

3.4 Comparative Table of Coworking Market Metrics:

City	Estimated Number of Coworking Spaces	Representative Starting Price (Coworking)	Presence of Niche Spaces	Notable Unique Features
Birmingham	12+	$49/month (Practice Works)	Yes (Health, Creative)	Podcast Room, Fitness Center, Golf Simulator, Pet-Friendly
Richmond	11+	$99/month (Venture X)	Yes (Social Club)	Rooftop Pool & Bar, Podcast Studio, Screening Room
Chattanooga	8+	$85/month (Society of Work – Community)	Yes (Innovation Focus)	Gigabit Internet, Rooftop Access, Phone Booths
Knoxville	9+	$30/day (CoKno Day Pass)	Yes (Creative)	Massage Chair, Nap Pod, Keg with Seasonal Beer

Future Outlook and Trends in Birmingham’s Coworking Market

Analysis of Recent Reports and Articles:

The global coworking market is experiencing a significant growth phase, projected to reach substantial values by the end of the decade.34 This positive trajectory suggests a favorable external environment for the coworking market in Birmingham. Locally, Birmingham’s office market in 2023 showed an average asking rent of $21.76 per square foot and a vacancy rate of 16.73%.36 While a vacancy rate exists, it could provide opportunities for the expansion of flexible workspace solutions as businesses explore alternatives to traditional leases. The stability of rental rates might also make coworking a more attractive option for businesses seeking predictable costs.

Emerging Trends and Anticipated Developments:

Several emerging trends and anticipated developments point towards a continued growth and evolution of Birmingham’s coworking market. The opening of new coworking spaces in 2024, such as Homebase in Homewood 37 and The Offices in the Avonwood district 39, along with Thrive Coworking’s entry in 2023 40, indicates ongoing investment and interest in the sector. The focus of these new spaces in suburban locations suggests a potential trend towards decentralization, catering to the growing demand for workspaces closer to residential areas and offering alternatives to commuting to the central business district.The increasing prevalence of remote and hybrid work models is a significant driver for the growth of the coworking market, both globally and in Birmingham.³ With a substantial percentage of businesses planning to expand their office space through coworking in the coming years ³⁴, Birmingham is well-positioned to benefit from this trend.

The rise of the freelance economy and the increasing adoption of flexible workspace solutions by corporations are also expected to fuel demand for coworking spaces in the city.³ This shift in workplace strategies presents a considerable opportunity for the Birmingham market to expand and diversify its offerings.Despite the positive outlook, the coworking industry faces challenges such as profitability and increasing competition.³⁴ Operators in Birmingham will need to focus on developing sustainable business models and differentiating themselves through unique amenities, strong community building, and flexible membership options to thrive in a potentially competitive environment. While specific future plans or expansions of existing coworking spaces in Birmingham were not explicitly detailed in the provided snippets ⁵, the overall trend of new spaces opening suggests a market that is continuing to evolve and attract investment.

Potential Future Direction and Growth:

The coworking space market in Birmingham is likely to continue on a positive growth trajectory, driven by the sustained demand for flexible workspace solutions arising from the increasing adoption of remote and hybrid work. The emergence of new coworking spaces in suburban areas indicates a potential shift towards catering to local communities and reducing the need for long commutes. Further diversification in the types of coworking spaces, potentially focusing on specific industries or professional niches, could also be a key area of growth. Operators who prioritize community building, offer unique and valuable amenities, and adopt flexible membership models will be best positioned to succeed in this evolving market.

Conclusion

The coworking space market in Birmingham, Alabama, is currently vibrant and diverse, offering a range of options from established national chains to community-focused independent spaces. This market demonstrates a comparable presence to that of other similar-sized cities like Richmond, Chattanooga, and Knoxville, with each city showcasing its own unique characteristics and potential specializations within the coworking sector. The future of Birmingham’s coworking market appears promising, underpinned by the growing trend of remote work and the continuous opening of new flexible workspace solutions. However, operators will need to remain strategic and adaptive to navigate the potential challenges of profitability and competition in this expanding industry.

6. Recommendations

• Potential Users: When selecting a coworking space in Birmingham, individuals and businesses should carefully consider their specific needs regarding location, the types of memberships offered, pricing structures, available amenities (paying particular attention to internet reliability and meeting room access), and the sense of community fostered by the space. Visiting potential spaces and utilizing day passes can provide valuable insights before committing to a longer-term membership.
• Investors: The Birmingham coworking market presents opportunities for investment, particularly in suburban areas that may be underserved or in developing niche coworking spaces that cater to specific industries or professional communities. Thorough market research, including an analysis of the competitive landscape and potential demand drivers, is crucial for informed investment decisions.
• Coworking Space Operators: To remain competitive and capitalize on the growth potential of the Birmingham market, operators should focus on cultivating a strong community among their members, offering unique and relevant amenities that differentiate their space, and providing flexible membership options that cater to the evolving needs of the modern workforce. Implementing sustainable pricing strategies and continuously monitoring market trends will be essential for long-term success.