Sydney’s Best Coworking Spaces for Creatives & Freelancers

Emerge Sydney has just opened its second coworking space in the same building as Facebook’s old office and Apple’s flagship Australian store – a small indication of the groundbreaking popularity of its first Surry Hills coworking space. Founded in 2016 by a small team, Emerge was designed to make people love going to work: a design-led space with overwhelming natural light and a fun, open and inclusive environment. And they’ve nailed it – Emerge was one of Office Hub’s most popular offices in Sydney in 2018. Emerge Surry Hills is mostly home to marketing, advertising and design companies with a few professional services and corporate firms thrown in. Regardless – or maybe because – of the differing industries, everyone knows everyone and people stop to mingle and catch up in the corridors. The brand new space on King Street is perfect for creatives wanting the CBD location without the stuffiness or for corporates seeking a little more inspiration.

Affordable, fresh and friendly – GroupeeWorks is the Sydney coworking space that you won’t be nervous to join. Founded by Sydney fintech app founder Jarred Baker when he struggled to find an affordable place to work, GroupeeWorks has become his way of giving back to (and connecting with) the local startup scene. The New York-style loft space offers fantastic facilities and sundrenched desks, and the great rates draw a mixed crowd, from those who have outgrown the kitchen office to project teams and SMEs. Its prime spot next to Central Station is convenient for the commute, the city clients and Surry Hills’ vibrant evening scene.

The Lodge is an uber boutique coworking space in villagey Marrickville – the perfect spot for laidback creatives. Brought to the market by a local publishing company, The Lodge is a shared office that feels like your own space. With plenty of light and greenery, comfy mismatched furniture, music in the background and a small supportive group of people, it has a great energy that will never be too intense or distracting. Not only are you allowed to bring your dog to work, but the other members want you to. Big difference. What’s more, there is off street parking and, located in the heart of Marrickville, the space is close to cafes, restaurants, pubs and public transport.

Servcorp might not look like your typical coworking space, but hear us out. The world renowned serviced office provider is now delivering a high end coworking solution that is perfect for creatives looking to connect with corporate clients. In Servcorp’s coworking spaces, you’ll find entrepreneurs, small businesses and project teams in a huge variety of disciplines – and they’ll need your creative services. You’ll also benefit from some of the best technology, internet and service in the game. If you’re looking for the kind of collaboration that brings in new business, make yourself the first creative port of call for Servcorp’s members. It’s less community management, more meaningful networking, reliable tech and unparalleled professional support.

Christies is the ultimate coworking space for the creative professionals seeking a reimagined style of coworking. They have set up three centres in Sydney – one in Sydney CBD and two locations in North Sydney’s thriving business district. All distractions have been removed – less ping pong and beer, and more flexibility and professionalism. That doesn’t mean you won’t be surrounded by a flock of creative minds. Their architect-designed space, comfy lounge areas and member-centric community have attracted individuals and businesses across all verticals.

This ultra-cool plant-packed coworking hub is based in a charming renovated heritage building. It’s a unique space sure to inspire all minds in an ecosystem of growth and empowerment. Conveniently located in Ultimo, in a lively area packed with cute cafes and local eateries, right by Broadway Shopping Centre and Victoria Park. Bring out your competitive spirit with a game of table tennis or PS4 or jump on the health train with kombucha on tap. Perfectly designed for the designers, creators and writers – but if you are as impressed as we are by the six types of beans to choose from for your caffeine boost, this is a space for anyone and everyone.

Yep, next up is WeWork, the world’s biggest coworking company. If you haven’t heard of WeWork, all you need to know is that it’s slowly taking over the world. With hundreds of coworking spaces around the world, the company has now branched into co-living, social fitness and even co-kindergartens. If it sounds kinda crazy, that’s because it is – but you don’t get a $10 billion dollar valuation without being seriously good at what you do. WeWork is known for its supersized, superstyled workspaces, action-packed events schedule and global community. You might get a little less space for your buck but if you’re looking for high energy and heaps of social events, WeWork’s the one. With coworking spaces in some of the most prestigious buildings in Martin Place, George Street and Kent Street, it also puts you close to big clients without dulling your spark.

(We spent a guest day at WeWork – read our no-holds-barred review here).

Erring slightly more towards the corporate side of things is Workspace 365, a classy yet completely affordable coworking space in Surry Hills. Element endeavours to alleviate members of mundane day-to-day business tasks with a range of support services along with flexible packages so you’ll never be locked in for a million months. It’s light-filled, spacious and immaculately maintained and the magnificent views across Sydney CBD will keep you inspired all day long – or well into the night if you want to make use of the 24/7 access.

+U is a small coworking operator with a big difference – six floors of industry-specific coworking space to make sure you’re sharing, learning, socialising and collaborating with the right people. (Okay, it’s not that small). There’s The Collective floor for marketers and advertisers, The Hive for freelancers and creatives, The Co-Op for tech types – you get the idea – all packaged in one of the classiest yet arty-est interiors in Sydney. With buzzy workspaces occupied by compatible creatives, it’s easy to see why +U has firmly cemented its place as one of the city’s most popular coworking spaces. The George Street location right by Central Station doesn’t hurt either.

Urban CoWork is one of the Inner West’s newest coworking offerings but it comes from an experienced team. Terina Pusic and her family ran shared office spaces around Sydney before identifying the need for a more professional and premium-style coworking centre in the creative suburb of Marrickville – and this impressive office space was born. Terina, a Marrickville local, has effortlessly brought together all manners of creatives and freelancers in a professional yet relaxed and laughter-filled environment. At Urban CoWork, the rates really are all-inclusive and they cover every facility and amenity you might need – conference rooms, internet, printers, 24/7 access, great coffee, events, bike storage, showers and free snacks. Situated close to Sydenham Station, this coworking space benefits from proximity to a city train line and the vibrant feel of the Inner West.

Co House Studios is a stunning coworking space in Rosebery set within The Cannery Building, an 11,000 sqm revived warehouse and creative south Sydney destination for food, design and style. As well as office suites and open plan desks, Co House offers a photography studio and event spaces for hire. The impeccable design has earned it some of the most hits on the Office Hub website and the real thing doesn’t disappoint – original brick walls, timber flooring and eye-catching accessories make it a haven of creativity and innovation. Rosebery’s stunning transformation in the last 10 years has turned it into a thriving foodie, design and small business hub – think of it as the new alternative to Surry Hills or Redfern that’ll keep you well clear of the city’s congestion woes.

JustCo has one of the largest coworking networks in Asia and recently launched in Australia with two sought-after centres in Sydney CBD. They have had exceptional success in Australia – and it’s easy to see why. Their colorful design, artwork and murals spark creativity while their helpful staff will empower and assist tenants so they can live up to their full potential. Catering to needs you didn’t even know you had, this is a top-notch global coworking provider ready to take over the Australian market!

Spaces originated in Amsterdam and is part of IWG, the holding group for the world’s largest serviced office company Regus. With Spaces, IWG is breaking away from its corporate reputation and into the creative market – and boy are they doing it in style. The two floors at this coworking space in Surry Hills feature soaring ceilings, designer furniture and industrial fit outs in a look that’s guaranteed to drop your clients’ jaws. The sought-after Flinders Street precinct isn’t bad either, characterised by trademark terraces, prodigious pubs, independent cafes and local businesses. Combine creative style and a top location with the seamless management that only a company like IWG can provide, and what do you get? One of Surry Hills’ most show stopping coworking spaces, that’s what.

Established in 2009, Desk Space is a super reputable coworking space in the heart of Darlinghurst. The wow-inducing design incorporates heritage features, wooden floorboards and striking artwork for a raw and understated agency feel and it’s home to one of Sydney’s longest-standing coworking crowds, a collective of multidisciplinary specialists who embrace sharing and collaboration opportunities. The tailored events and activities programme gives every excuse for a midweek drink and the extra motivation for a workout class – if you’re looking to find the ultimate work-life-play balance, you’ll fit right in at Deskspace.

The Office Space is one of Sydney’s earliest coworking concepts founded way back in 2004 by husband and wife duo Naomi and Boris Tosic. The two family-run offices, located just three minutes apart in the heart of Surry Hills, offer comfy retro vibes to make sure members feel at their relaxed and creative best – and they’ve racked up awards such as Best Office Design at the World Festival of Interiors 2016. The Office Space’s members range from startups and SMEs to global companies and Surry Hills locals will love the events programme that each month explores a different theme, often intimately related to the local Surry Hills community or learning from other members. The Reservoir Street workspace harbours a more light and airy feel while Brisbane Street’s time capsule interiors are reminiscent of 1950s New York.

Your Desk was one of the first coworking operators in Sydney to step away from the games tables and introduce grown up glamour to shared working. Its Town Hall office is inspired by a Mad Men sense of retro romance and its Surry Hills space has a stylish bohemian feel – the design credentials of the founders shines through. At the helm are two builder brothers, an architect mother and an accountant father and they’ve created a couple of the most inviting workspaces in Sydney. The full service offices have large desks, plenty of meeting rooms and communal areas to rival your living room, not to mention price points you’ll love, friendly faces at every turn and unbeatable central locations.

The Colab is the only creative coworking space on our list in Circular Quay. Thanks to the prime location in the CBD North, this high-energy workspace will suit freelancers and independents working with corporate clients in Martin Place or the Pitt Street precinct. Otherwise, it makes for an easy (and beautiful) ferry commute for those in the northern suburbs and puts members close to Sydney’s most famous landmarks, best restaurants and five-star hotels. As its name would suggest, The Colab fuels one-to-one collaborations between entrepreneurs along with the space, infrastructure and society to catapult success to the next level. Members love pushing each other to do and be better, the lack of drama and negativity and the higher motivation they’ve gained from working at The Colab.

Formerly known as Tyro Fintech Hub, YBF Venture  in Sydney provides support for startups, scaleups and even corporations with its impressive workspace and collaborative community. This coworking space has quickly become one of Australia’s top tech and innovation hubs and along with its superb Sydney CBD location it’s a great spot for creatives as well. Even though they’re centered around tech, there’s nothing more inspiring than being surrounded by the forward-thinkers and risk-takers helping you in thinking outside of the box.

At this stage of the list, we’re moving away from activity-packed coworking spaces and into a more calm, elegant and executive type of office experience. Work Club comes from Soren Trampedach, the Scandinavian thought leader on innovation and the new work culture with history at both Facebook and Google. Think leather and timber, an immaculate concierge team, organic refreshments, hand-sourced Danish furniture and evening whisky and wine tastings. Reportedly frequented by Qantas execs and many at the top end of town, Work Club membership is by application only – but Trampedach insists there’s no elitism: “We want diversity,” he said. “I want to assess how they’re going to contribute to the community. There’s no big egos here.”

Urban CoWork is one of the Inner West’s newest coworking offerings but it comes from an experienced team. Terina Pusic and her family ran shared office spaces around Sydney before identifying the need for a more professional and premium-style coworking centre in the creative suburb of Marrickville - and this impressive office space was born. Terina, a Marrickville local, has effortlessly brought together all manners of creatives and freelancers in a professional yet relaxed and laughter-filled environment. At Urban CoWork, the rates really are all-inclusive and they cover every facility and amenity you might need – conference rooms, internet, printers, 24/7 access, great coffee, events, bike storage, showers and free snacks. Situated close to Sydenham Station, this coworking space benefits from proximity to a city train line and the vibrant feel of the Inner West.