This is either just beginning to get started or it's a flash in the pan. One thing--if a person wants to hop on a trend, it's best to hop on early. Coworking is just beginng to be born. Here are some definitions (may or may not be correct, I'm still learning):

Coworking: A situation where a bunch of strangers all sit in the same space and work on their own projects. This has always been done in coffee shops. Now, people want to be able to do it without having to buy drinks. So, they rent space and "cowork."

Workclub: A place that an entrepreneur builds where people can cowork.

What does the collective wisdom here say about this? Most coworkers are young, idealistic, smart and probably are programmers or software developers. For these kinds of workers, coworking makes sense. But the first "workclub" that was set up specifically for that use (Gate 3 in San Francisco) folded because it was aimed at corporate officers who were supposed to pay high fees to have a very, very nice club. That went kaplunk in a hurry.

So, anyone here have and opinion? Is there money to be made in this? Should a workclub be a co-op? A coffee shop? Just a space? Whaddaya think?

The concept sounds very good. I think it should work. But the type of venue and the location of it will be very important.

I don't know the range of worker types that would want to use it but I suspect it would be not very large.

Study what others are doing with this business model and that will get you educated. Even better, get a job at one and you'll learn plenty. You'd only have to work there for 6 months to see if it will work for you.

On the other hand.

Have you ever heard of the old saying?

Never be the pioneer in business - let somebody else go broke first.

A new business model does not automatically mean a successful business model.

If you are willing to invest $200k in something like that then think about what other kind of more established business model you could sink your 200k into that you are assured will work.

Dan, this isn't new at all. It may take the form of different models but the concept has existed for a while. Doctors, for instance, often share offices with other doctors to share resources. Lawyers do it to. So do many other professions.

What would motivate people to share the same spaces? To save on and share resources? To better their social lives? Why would these people want to share work space?