Introducing City Office

We’re excited to welcome the newest member of the Proximity Network, City Office. Located in Bay City, Michigan, City Office offers its members a game room with a pool table and putting green to help recharge during the workday. We caught up with City Office manager Marjo Morden to learn more about what sets City Office apart in the coworking community.

When did you open your coworking space and what enticed you to do so?
City Office opened in March of 2019. The owners of City Office are members in a coworking community in another state and they were excited to bring the collaborative nature of coworking to Michigan.

Tell us about your space. How big is it? What kinds of amenities do you have? What sort of quirks make it special?
City Office is huge! We have the entire lower level of “The Old JC Penny Building” downtown, roughly 7,500 square feet. Amenities include 100 mailboxes and mail services (we can sign for and store your packages), a print station including every office supply an office nomad might need, a kitchenette with unlimited espresso and coffee, a snack drawer, and hot water on demand for tea. Our office also has 10 fully furnished private office suites, four unique conference rooms for 2-20 people, four phone booths, a game room with pool table and putting green, and networking and social events. We also have free parking and 24/7 keycode access.

What is your favorite thing about operating a coworking space?
The lights! Although we are on the lower level, the atmosphere is warm and vibrant. The lights float from the ceiling and are hexagon-shaped. Truly one-of-a-kind. 

What has been the most surprising/unexpected thing about operating a coworking space?
I expected the people working out of our private offices to use the space as their primary office, but very few are actually here three days a week, much less five.  Most use the space less frequently than our open coworking members. 

What’s your favorite story about one of your members?
When one of our members was looking into our private offices, he asked if he could bring in his monitor. Of course, I said sure. Two hours later the doors of the elevator opened, and our member walked out with a 50-inch monitor!

What is your biggest piece of advice for someone wanting to open a space?
I would recommend creating a good number of small, lockable private offices or dedicated desks, lots of conference rooms, and a big table that is out in the open for collaborative working.

Keep up with City Office on social media: Facebook