Any US space thriving with no dedicated desks?
At the moment we have 17 seats available on our open area. One dedicated desk in a closed office which is assigned to a current Member.
We've been asked to decide by the landlord if we will exercise our right of first refusal now as they have a list of interested tenants formed. We listed on popular directories as available as dedicated desks and have six people interested in one week - two would prefer a small closed footed space. The additional space is only 867 sq ft. We are allowed to open a door between them to connect the spaces.
Seems like from the response that this desk is mine vs use a desk and clear out is more popular in our town.
We don't want to make desks in the existing side assigned though as its a great flex space and we are getting good interest in booking it in the evenings and on weekends for classes, workshops and events. And will offer many we produce with content partners too.
So we are supposed to give the landlord a yes or no Tuesday. We have 4 ready to lock in for 6+ months tomorrow. They will cover the additional lease + but we'd not expected to expand this soon after opening (less than 2 months), so funding to cover painting, opening the doorway, construct walls for 2 closed offices, panels for dividing rest of space into open dedicated desks, etc.
Ideas in funding this so we don't loose the opportunity? It's 1 of 2 remaining spaces here on the lakefront.
It will fill up given time. The village we are in is not is brand new and in phase 2 of 3. We are communicating it well and word is spreading. Restaurant and a spa will open next to us soon, they just signed their leases last week. Over 1,000 new homes are being constructed within a 5 mile radius of us.
It's a no brainer to expand beyond the 1,300 sqft we have now - just wish we could wait 3-4 more months to refund. 
Ideas to fund?
http://www.cityfeet.com/cont/ForLease/LN19134994/13790-Bridgewater-Crossings-Boulevard-1080-Windermere-FL-34786
Are you covering your expenses in the flex area? Is there a way to mix flex and dedicated desks on both sides. Our 2nd location is only flex desks with 4 private offices and it does well but we have an entirely separate location with dedicated, flex and offices. My concern is that you might get 2 different cultures if it’s all flex on one side and all dedicated on the other. Be on the lookout for ways to foster cross-over if you do acquire it.
As for funding, ask your current and future members if they’d be willing to pre-pay 3-6 months to help fund the paint and doorway OR having a painting party and do it yourselves.
Angel of Cohere
···
On Sunday, March 15, 2015 at 7:18:42 AM UTC-5, Cynthia Dailey wrote:
Any US space thriving with no dedicated desks?
At the moment we have 17 seats available on our open area. One dedicated desk in a closed office which is assigned to a current Member.
We’ve been asked to decide by the landlord if we will exercise our right of first refusal now as they have a list of interested tenants formed. We listed on popular directories as available as dedicated desks and have six people interested in one week - two would prefer a small closed footed space. The additional space is only 867 sq ft. We are allowed to open a door between them to connect the spaces.
Seems like from the response that this desk is mine vs use a desk and clear out is more popular in our town.
We don’t want to make desks in the existing side assigned though as its a great flex space and we are getting good interest in booking it in the evenings and on weekends for classes, workshops and events. And will offer many we produce with content partners too.
So we are supposed to give the landlord a yes or no Tuesday. We have 4 ready to lock in for 6+ months tomorrow. They will cover the additional lease + but we’d not expected to expand this soon after opening (less than 2 months), so funding to cover painting, opening the doorway, construct walls for 2 closed offices, panels for dividing rest of space into open dedicated desks, etc.
Ideas in funding this so we don’t loose the opportunity? It’s 1 of 2 remaining spaces here on the lakefront.
It will fill up given time. The village we are in is not is brand new and in phase 2 of 3. We are communicating it well and word is spreading. Restaurant and a spa will open next to us soon, they just signed their leases last week. Over 1,000 new homes are being constructed within a 5 mile radius of us.
It’s a no brainer to expand beyond the 1,300 sqft we have now - just wish we could wait 3-4 more months to refund. 
Ideas to fund?
http://www.cityfeet.com/cont/ForLease/LN19134994/13790-Bridgewater-Crossings-Boulevard-1080-Windermere-FL-34786
I like Angel's ideas. Collective Agency in Portland Oregon has almost no memberships with reserved desks, no private offices (it's less fun), and almost all memberships with open seating. All staff and business owners are paid. http://collectiveagency.co