A new space in one of Nelson’s heritage buildings is offering independent workers a chance to “work, take meetings and share an environment with other like-minded professionals.”
NDN Partners Inc. has launched Gyre, a co working space for creative and lifestyle entrepreneurs. Gyre, which can also mean vortex, is located on the main floor of the old Nelson Daily News building at 266 Baker Street.
“We are extremely pleased to offer this beautiful infrastructure to Nelson’s creative class,” NDN Partners’ Tim Pearkes says. “Hopefully, independent workers will relocate to this appealing space where they can collaborate and inspire one another in the growth of their businesses.”
Co working is a trend in centres around the world and has its roots in the technology sector. Pearkes says the idea for Gyre came fro his son, Jack, whose work in this field has taken him from a three-year stint in Silicon Valley to a year in Berlin and he now resides in New York.
“It's something that is increasingly popular in places like San Francisco, London, New York and other large cities like Vancouver here at home,” reads the Gyre website. “But, it's not just a large city trend — anywhere there are freelancers or other independent workers, co working spaces are popping up.”
Closer to home, Rossland has The Hub and Kelowna and Penticton have Accelerate Okanagan.
“In Nelson, The Seed Studio above Reo’s and The Building Tree are early examples of where co working has a track record,” says Pearkes. But “Gyre is the first ‘purpose-built’ co working space in Nelson — as far as we know.”
Ironic that a workspace that takes the community into the modern age sits in a building originally the Consolidated Goldfields Mining Company in 1899. Completely renovated with that history in mind in 2011, Gyre offers 24/7 access for a flat monthly fee of either $350 for a floating desk or $400 for a reserved space. Taxes and parking are extra.
Workers have the use of a kitchen, coffee and tea service, a printer, a conference room, flat screen and attractive, functional desk environments. Gyre is intended to facilitate growth of this economic sector and leverage the City's broadband fibre optic network initiative.
“We are extremely pleased to offer the highest speed Internet connectivity available in our area,” says a release issued by the NDN Partners Inc. “This is thanks to both the City of Nelson for providing us with the opportunity to be a commercial beta test site for its fibre optic network and our ISP, Columbia Wireless. The upload and download speeds are stunning.”
Nelson is well known for reinventing itself as its economic scene changes. Says Pearkes, “Mining, forestry, transportation, agriculture, education, healthcare, and government services have each made large contributions to our growth and then, when they faltered, each has impacted this gem of a community.”
“Gyre is a bricks and mortar location to inspire and support the emerging young entrepreneurs whose work product may provide the next economic boost for our town,” he says.
Gyre is taking applications now at gyre.io for a co working space that can be occupied immediately.
“We are optimistic that this will be a successful endeavor,” says Pearkes.