We were at the launch of the Coalition: Loop co-working space on the 12th floor of 18 S Michigan Ave last week. The space, formerly a hat factory, is one of the first of its kind dedicated to green tech companies, says David Rotbard, co-founder of New York-based MicroOffice, Coalition's parent company. (He’s snapped here addressing the crowd.) A panelist at Bisnow’s Chicago Creative Office Summit in January, David told us he was attracted to the Chicago market because it’s not as dense as the coasts, but it’s deep with market growth potential.

Check out this view of Millennium Park. It’s one of many amenities Coalition spaces provide that small businesses and entrepreneurs might not be able to snag on their own, David says, along with regular entrepreneurship education programs. Clean energy-focused members of Coalition: Loop already include Energy Foundry, Root3 Technologies, and Digital H20. Next up on David’s agenda is Coalition: River North at 405 W Superior. MicroOffice owns the entire 50k SF building and is exploring partnerships with the financial tech sector and social impact startups.