From the super exclusive to the free-for-all…
Our productivity levels are hugely impacted by our surroundings, some work better in peace and quiet, others are most efficient in a bustling office environment. With Dubai being such a great entrepreneurial hub, many of the UAE’s residents have their own business or work freelance so these spaces are the perfect solution to providing a unique location to work from.
From lively cafés to rent-a-desk facilities, here are 9 of the best co-working spaces in Dubai.
The Bureau
This light and airy co-working space is located in the heart of Dubai’s Gold & Diamond Park. The concept – a first-of-its-kind, female-focused co-working space – is co-founded by Dubai born and raised sisters, Nikita and Rhea Patel, who shared the vision of creating a cosy, welcoming and supportive space. Inside, there’s a co-working lounge, as well as private offices, meeting rooms, as well as a podcast studio and phone booth. This one stop shop also incorporates a fitness studio called NAÕ, a vanity room complete with showers, and even a pumping room for new mothers. It’s important to stay fueled and hydrated, which is made easy thanks to an on-site Jones The Grocer, where you can stock up on coffees, snacks and wholesome meals. Ladies can opt for day pass options, which start at Dhs120, with the co-working membership starting at Dhs950 and the private office rentals starting from Dhs3,000.
The Bureau, Building 6, Gold & Diamond Park, Dubai, UAE, Tel: (0)54 583 3397,@thebureauae
Nasab by KOA
What is it: A luxemembers-only community with a work-space and social club for Dubai’s most interesting “thought leaders and game-changers”. The club has an elegant aesthetic that makes you feel at home, if your home has a photography studio, a gym, two swimming pools, private offices, a library and three food and drink outlets. Applicants should prove their level ofinteresting-ness, in order to be considered (and no, that doesn’t mean boasting about the number of Instagram followers you have).
How much does it cost: Nasab has restructured its membership into three tiers. Drop-in allows solo business owners to rent a workspace for the day, with prices starting from Dhs140. Nomad is for freelancers on the move with access to hot desks, office amenities and social benefits – this costs from Dhs1,000 for 10 days per month. Or, make yourself at home with the resident package, which is priced from Dhs1,500 per month for unlimited access. For a private suite for the whole team, you can rent rooms to fit two to 12 people starting from Dhs2,000 per month.
What are the perks: Aside from the endless facilities and gorgeous interior, the club also has regular events, workshops and discussions to help the members to collaborate and communicate. You’ll also have access to two stunning swimming pools, a paddle tennis court and F&B facilities.
Nasab, Koa Canvas, Wadi Al Safa 3, Dubai, from Dhs140 per day. nasabdubai.com
A4 Space
What is it: Located in the art-hub of Dubai, Alserkal Avenue, the cafe is an absolute winner, with delicious organic produce and brews from homegrown favourite Raw Coffee Company. There’s desks upstairs and small reading nooks you can climb into and lose yourself in a book.
How much does it cost: The space is totally free to use, maybe just buy a coffee and a sandwich to help them keep the space running.
What are the perks:Great Wi-fi, a cinema screening room and a mezzanine level with a community library.
Warehouse 4, Alserkal Avenue, Dubai, 10am to 7pm, Sat to Thur, free. Tel: (050) 5569797. alserkal.online
Modern Working
What is it: Found in iconic Dubai landmark, The Opus by Zaha Hadid in Business Bay, Modern Working offers entrepreneurs, freelancers and hybrid workers a space from which to thrive as they work in its contemporary offices. The Workspace has been designed with function in mind; helping like-minded professionals to work, connect, create and collaborate under one roof.
How much does it cost: Membership prices start from Dhs2,400 per month for co-working and Dhs5,000 per month for private offices.
What are the perks: Those who sign up will enjoy benefits such as private offices, virtual offices, co-working spaces, an art gallery, a recording studio, an auditorium, an events space and access to a niche network of investors.
Modern Working, The Opus, Business Bay, open 24/7. modernworking.ae
Astrolabs
What is it: Located in JLT, the sun streams into Astrolab’s workspace and illuminates a huge ‘Make It Happen’ sign on the wall as tech start-ups beaver away at their projects. It’s a real community feel with success stories front and centre – partnerships with IBM and Google For Entrepreneurs represent a major draw, as well as the restaurants within a minute’s walk, of course.
How much does it cost: Prices start from Dhs750 per month for Moonlighter After Hours, a flexible non-peak hours membership on a month-to-month basis; Dhs1,500 will get you a flexible membership with 24/7 access and additional perks; and it’s Dhs2,500 per month when signing up to an annual contract, including a trade license, sponsor for five residents and 24/7 access.
What are the perks: With a focus on tech businesses, the space is built for entrepreneurs with open plan, bookable meeting rooms, coding cave and device lab to test your apps.
Cluster R, Jumeirah Lakes Towers, daily 24 hours, Dhs750 to Dhs2,500. Tel: (04) 454 1159. astrolabs.com
Nook
What is it: Ravi Bhusari and Derv Rao established Nook to help sports, fitness and wellness entrepreneurs set up and run their business. They offer commercial licensing and space in a collaborative working environment.
How much does it cost: Coworking desks start from Dhs80 per day, Dhs300 per week, or Dhs1,000 per month. However you can also rent office space, fitness studios, ‘Zoom rooms’ for video calls, event rooms, conference spaces and much more.
What are the perks: Purpose-built studios and training areas with showers and changing facilities on site. Regular community socials, talks and training workshops. Plus, all co-working plans include a commercial license for your business, issued by DMCC.
Nook, One JLT, Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai, from Dhs80 per day. Tel: 04 405 4100. nookwork.ae
Nest
What is it: Located inside the quirky Tryp By Wyndham, co-working lounge, Nest, has plenty of spaces to get down to business. Highlights include privacy pods, indoor garden zone and cool community space. Good for freelancers looking for a more focused alternative to sitting in a noisy café.
How much does it cost: One-day access with limited perks costs Dhs80 in the week or Dhs50 on weekends; 10 visits per fortnight is Dhs599 while 15 visits per month plus additional perks costs Dhs899; unlimited access with all the perks costs Dhs1,499 per month.
What are the perks: Unlimited coffee and snacks, printing, discounts on dining, spa and laundry services at the hotel, pool and gym access, free valet parking and cheaper room rates at the hotel.
NEST, TRYP by Wyndham, Barsha Heights, Dubai, 8am to 11pm, Dhs50 to Dhs1,499. Tel: (04) 247 6699. nestdubai.co
Letswork
What is it: Rather than a fixed location, Letswork has transformed some of the city’s top venues to create affordable pop-up co-working spaces. Sign up and pay online, then head to any of the participating venues. Currently, 68 locations are available including: Arabian Ranches Golf Club, Caya, Chicago Meatpackers, Social Distrikt, and Rove Hotels.
How much it costs: Day rates start at Dhs39; it’s Dhs209 for seven days within one month; monthly rates start from Dhs399 with commitments ranging from one to six months.
What the perks are: Unlimited tea, coffee, water and WiFi, free parking, seats with plugs, 20 per cent discount on food and drink at each location and meeting room access.
Letswork, various locations, Dubai. Tel: (04) 245 5354. letswork.io
Witwork
What is it: Similar to Letswork, Witwork provides access to daytime dormant spaces (i.e. restaurants, pubs and cafes that are popular in the evenings or on the weekends, but are mostly empty during off-peak hours) across Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Ras al Khaimah.
How much it costs: You can start with a Dhs25 day pass, after that plans start from Dhs125 per week, Dhs250 per month and Dhs666 per quarter.
What the perks are: Unlimited tea and coffee, plus discounted rates on meeting rooms available within the hotelsWitWorkoperates from.
Witwork, various locations around the UAE, Dhs25 to Dhs666. Tel: (050) 622 7614. witwork.co
WrkBay by Ayana
What is it: WrkBay is a space that allows members to utilise private offices and meeting rooms, networking events, pop-ups, an in-house design team, cloud computing packages, 3D printers, podcast room, mentoring and more.
How much it costs: Daily rates are available from Dhs45, or you can get a monthly co-working space starting from Dhs800 up to Dhs5200 depending on your requirements.
What the perks are: There’s also a stylish cafe, a sanctuary garden, super-fast wifi and a cute pet macaw parrot named Rio.
WrkBay by Ayana Holding, Za’abeel Road, Dubai, UAE, Mon to Fri, 9am to 7pm, from Dhs45. wrkbay.com
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