Here's What Chicago's Newest, Hugely Amenitized Co-Working Space Looks Like

There's a new player in the downtown co-working market. MakeOffices is expanding outside its DC home base. The company opened a 45k SF location at River North Point (350 N Orleans) and is putting the finishing touches to a three-floor, 75k SF space at 1 N State. We toured the River North Point offices with MakeOffices CEO Raymond Rahbar.

Raymond (pictured) says MakeOffices prides itself on providing clients with amenities that they need. It’s easy to have free coffee or drinks in a shared workspace, but where MakeOffices stands apart, Raymond says, is in things like promoting wellness and healthy lifestyles in the office: fresh fruit, standing desks, workout office ball chairs and anti-gravity massage chair sessions are just a few of the things the River North Point location offers its customers.

Here's a look at MakeOffices' lobby and a glass-enclosed breakroom, one of several dotted throughout the space. Raymond says most of these offices provide a measure of privacy for larger companies renting space at River North Point.

Snapped: a look at MakeOffices' kitchen space. The area holds eight microwaves, dishwashers and sinks, 10 restaurant-grade refrigerators and a keg beer system stocked with a rotating list of local beers. Raymond says MakeOffices' workspaces are designed for productivity, first and foremost. It's nice to have fun events and cool things around the space but ultimately, people need to get work done. The office flooring consists of luxury vinyl tiles that mute the clicking of shoes as clients walk. Felt soundproofing panels (center) adorn the common areas and larger conference rooms to absorb sound and provide an extra measure of privacy.

Shown: One of MakeOffices' larger seating areas, with lockers for workers to stow their gear.

When a client absolutely needs to make some calls away from prying eyes, MakeOffices has 16 call rooms for solo work and 18 dining booths equipped with Apple TV so workers can hold quick meetings.

Here you see one of MakeOffices' 12-person corner offices, which provide pristine views of downtown. The lower portions of these glass-enclosed offices are lined with frost on the outside so clients can use the interiors as whiteboards during brainstorm sessions. These offices rent for $4,250/month but Raymond says MakeOffices lease terms are month-to-month, allowing clients to expand and contract footprint and desk space as needed.

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