work spaces
GOING TO
COWORK
Shared work spaces hit the sweet spot
between home and office
WRITTEN BY KAITLYN KANZLER
T
he gig economy and flexible work-from-home policies have
changed the labor landscape.
For many of us, though, chores, kids’ schedules, barking
dogs and other distractions can make being productive in the
home office a challenge.
One solution is coworking or shared work spaces, which allow
workers to break free of the office lifestyle while staying focused on their tasks.
Shared work spaces are popping up in suburban areas with increasing fre-
quency. Here are some unique coworking spaces available in Millburn, South
Orange and surrounding areas.
SOMA ONE, SOUTH ORANGE
STATE-
OF-THE-
ART-TECH
28
FALL 2019 MILLBURN & SHORT HILLS MAGAZINE
WORK AND PLAY,
SOUTH ORANGE
Work and Play furnish-
es workers with private offices,
both hot (shared) and dedicated
desks, and meeting rooms. But
Work and Play provides more
than a space for work. It is the
only co-working space in the tri-
state area that has state-licensed
daycare available, says Deborah
Engle, the founder.
She says the workspace
schedules can be custom-
ized, since “No one has the
SOMA One provides “ideal coworking spaces” for anyone
who is looking for a professional presence and state-of-the-art
technology, says owner Jim McGuire. It is close to NJ Transit,
providing quick access to New York City. SOMA One’s net-
working events create “an atmosphere of collaboration, men-
toring and giving back” to the community, McGuire says.
The location provides furnished offices, work desks and conference
nf
rooms, outfitted with the latest technology: Each desk has two hard-wired inter-
net connections, one with a connection that allows network cables to carry elec-
trical power, supporting your BYO-IP phone.Phone access, video conferencing,
screen sharing, unlimited domestic calls and a mobile app can be included in
memberships for an additional $20 a month. Conference rooms can be rented
with access to wifi, HDTV screens, white boards and video conferencing, and
all rentals include access to a member lounge, kitchen and staff.
Membership starts at $15 per month and includes a 10 percent discount on all
rentals. Flexible hourly, daily, weekly and monthly plans are also available.
SOMA One is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 6 p.m.
After-hour and weekend access is available by special arrangement. • 76 South
Orange Ave., 973-559-4252, soma1.mybranchoffice.us/en