A BRIEF HISTORY
Coworking is a style of work that involves a shared working environment, often an office, and independent activity. Unlike in a typical office environment, those coworking are usually not employed by the same organization.
Typically it is attractive to work-at-home professionals, independent contractors, or people who travel frequently who end up working in relative isolation.
Coworking is also the social gathering of a group of people who are still working independently, but who share values, and who are interested in the synergy that can happen from working with like-minded talented people in the same space.
Coworking has also spread into many other metropolitan areas, with cities such as Portland, Whichita and St. Louis now offering several thriving co-working venues.
A 2011 survey found most coworkers are currently in their late twenties to late thirties, with an average age of 34 years. Two-thirds are men, one third are women. Four in five coworkers started their career with a university education. The majority of coworkers work in creative industries or new media. Slightly more than half of all coworkers are freelancers.
There are many coworking centers in St. Louis, each catering to different work cultures and people. Major coworking centes include Lab 1500, Claim, TechArtista, TREX, Nebula,CIC and many others. Recently 5 St. Louis coworking centers formed the St. Louis League of Independent Workspaces allowing members to have access to offices and resources at the other offices. Cooperation and a spirit of “there is strength in numbers” is the theme of the growing St. Louis coworking revolution.