Call it Airbnb for freelancers: Deskcamping, a new Web site that connects independent employees with open desks, is aiming to change how — and where — solopreneurs work.
Launched by Londoner Nick Couch in December, the platform allows city businesses and co-working spaces — many of which normally charge by the month — to rent out free desks to freelancers by the day or week.
“If you have space and you bring in people, it has a massive impact on the culture,” says Couch, a former creative director who curates the selection of offices based on what he thinks his techie and creative clientele will like. (The site also launched services in London and Berlin in December.)
To ensure a good fit, both parties must fill out detailed profiles: Freelancers are asked to elaborate on their businesses and specify their ideal working conditions, while work spaces describe their noise level and general vibe.
The site is currently still in beta, with just more than 100 New York users and 68 locations across Brooklyn, Queens and Manhattan that have been listed since its inception. @work visited three of them and ranked them on a scale of 1 to 5 (1 being the worst, 5 being the best) to see what it’s like to camp out at open desks across the city.
Perks aplenty
With 150 seats, Soho co-working space Fueled Collective is home to 20 start-ups whose employees pay up to $700 a month for a three-month minimum. Through Deskcamping, freelancers can nab a complimentary one-time spot at the communal table for the day, or secure one of the dedicated desks reserved for Deskcampers by the day ($100), week ($300) or month ($700).
Space: The full-floor, open-plan loft space hosts rows of generously sized desks. Should I have tired of the comfy ergonomic chair at my empty desk (I didn’t — it was heaven), three different communal “chill” areas beckoned with plush leather couches.
Vibe: I settled on Fueled partly because of the cool rustic-vintage decor apparent in its online photos, and in person, the clever design dazzles indeed. With wall-mounted wooden crates, antique mirrors and Edison bulbs aplenty, it was easy to pretend I was an employee at a design-savvy creative agency.
Extras: Gratis grub abounds. In fact, it was tempting to ditch my work and spend the day raiding the chocolates, apples and pretzels in the artfully arranged snack area. In addition to a full kitchen, the space boasts a dedicated coffee bar and an ice-cream cart stocked with locally sourced raspberry-basil popsicles from People’s Pops.
Noise: Headphones are a good idea: You’ll hear a steady buzz of chatter from collaborating co-workers, although the sound level never grates.
Light: A wall of south-facing windows lets plenty of natural light into the 11th-floor space — and also grants a sweeping view of the Freedom Tower.
Verdict: 4 out of 5. Chitchat-friendly atmosphere makes it a better fit for teams than solo workers, even if the perks — and cool decor — delight.
No frills and flexible
Midtown space Ensemble caters to a mix of long-term and short-term workers, with rates from $35 a day up to $450 a month (the most popular option). These are the same rates it offers Deskcampers, for which the office reserves eight of its approximately 100 desks.
Space: The smallest of the three spaces I visited, Ensemble packs several rows of communal-style desks into its open floor plan. Personal desk space verges on cramped: It was hard not to feel like I was imposing on the team of guys holding a meeting just a few inches away from me.
Vibe: With exposed concrete floors and no-frills, Ikea-esque furniture, it feels distinctly like an early-stage start-up. A motley crew of workers — some in hoodies, others in suits — add to the sense that this is a transient crowd.
Extras: Next time, I’ll stick around for the afternoon snacks — like banana bread and brownies — served daily in the bare-bones kitchen.
Noise: As advertised on Deskcamping, Ensemble’s volume profile could definitely be called “hustle and bustle” — I’m glad I packed my headphones to tune out the chatting co-workers and the frequent rumble of elevator doors opening and closing.
Light: Huge windows on either side of the sixth-floor space let in plenty of natural rays — even if the view of Midtown office buildings is less than inspiring.
Verdict: 3 out of 5. Fine for a day, but this spot lacked the charm — and legroom — for a longer-term relationship.
Downtown dream
Tech entrepreneurs vie for a spot at Lower East Side aerie Projective Space, which charges up to $450 per month (there’s currently a two-month-long wait list for the 135 work spaces). Deskcampers face a one-month wait list for three communal seats, which go for $35 a day or $115 a week.
Space: The high-ceiling loft space is divided into two areas: A front communal space offers a lounge area and cluster of partitioned desks for solo workers, while the back room accommodates start-up teams at rows of roomy desks. I split my day between the two sections, and reveled in the abundant breathing (and leg) room of both.
Vibe: Chill meets charming, thanks to the exposed pine floors, original pressed-tin ceiling and streamlined modern furniture. It’s no wonder the space regularly hosts outside events.
Extras: A homey, sun-strewn kitchen stocks basic beverages, while a sleek pingpong table invites workers to take a break.
Noise: Aside from the occasional co-worker phone call, the front communal space is almost library-quiet. In the back team area, there are stretches of low-level chatter.
Light: Huge windows on all four sides flood the third-floor space with epic natural light. On the bright day I visited, I contemplated wearing my sunglasses inside.
Verdict: 5 out of 5. Airy, stylish and blissfully hushed, Projective just might be worth the wait.