With one of the world’s most vibrant start-up and small business scenes, it’s no surprise that Hong Kong has some fantastic co-working spaces. Our city is teeming with places where you can find shared office space or a workspace with a desk for your business needs. The combination of Hong Kong’s sky-high rents and a thriving entrepreneurial scene means there’s a huge demand for this kind of corporate service.
That’s not to say co-working spaces have a corporate vibe! If you’re looking for flexibility, a cool community and great resources, you’re going to love the following listed spots. Most offer options from a simple hot desk to a dedicated office space, with access to Wi-Fi, printers, meeting rooms, lockers, mail and package handling, as well as regular events and workshops. Many also have onsite cafés or coffee lounges.
Co-working spaces are a great solution for new businesses in Hong Kong
The Headquarters CoWork
The Headquarters CoWork Kennedy Town is a co-working space situated in the most authentic location in Hong Kong Island. This is a beautifully designed 5,000 square feet office space with some open and some private offices. They have windows that actually open and a green, leafy outlook. the HQ CoWork offer hot desks, fixed desks and private offices in different size. It’s s great option for innovators, freelancers and creatives who are looking for a friendly space that can also be a quiet retreat. Here, you can choose from multiple service options that address the different needs of start-ups, freelancers and entrepreneurs; and you’ll be supported by friendly community executives. They are open to part-time packages for mums who don’t work full hours and even have a dedicated space for teens who come to study after school. This is a nice space for events and special presentations.
More: thehqcowork.com
The Hive
The Hive is a network of 10 co-working spaces with a presence in Central, Sai Kung, Wan Chai, Sheung Wan and beyond. This facility provides hot desks, dedicated desks and meeting rooms, plus they can give small businesses a business address and post box. They also have coffee lounges and events spaces at their branches, where they screen films and offer networking and workshop opportunities. The Hive caters for creatives with the Hive Studios which provides a facilities for photographers and the MakerHive, which combines a workshop and workspace, making it popular with designers and architects.
More: thehive.com.hk
TheDesk
Established in Hong Kong back in mid-2016, theDesk offers flexible hot desks, dedicated desks, and private office packages at competitive rates to entrepreneurs and enterprises of all sizes. Their plans include an hourly Power Pass for people who only have an ad-hoc need for a co-working space. Their dedicated office workspaces cater from two to 13 people, some of which includes a private balcony and ample natural light. In addition to work facilities, theDesk offers well-equipped event spaces and actively promotes an inclusive community by bringing together members and neighbouring businesses. TheDesk has expanded rapidly with four sites in Hong Kong and one in Shanghai.
More: thedesk.com.hk
The Coffee House
It is not surprising that The Coffee House co-working space promises the “best coffee you will ever have”. This is in addition to hot desks, private desks and office spaces. They have a variety of membership passes and offer a one-day pass on weekdays from 9am-6pm which can be bought at the door. Members include freelancing creatives, small businesses and a number of coffee industry professionals, which has led to come great coffee-oriented events in the past.
More: thecoffeehouse.hk
WeWork
WeWork’s nineHong Kong locations – Wan Chai, Causeway Bay, Central, Quarry Bay, and more – are part of a global network of co-working spaces. Monthly membership plans give users a credit allocation and they then use an in-house app to book hot desks, dedicated desks, private office spaces and meeting rooms around the world. Users get access to practical amenities such as reliable internet, printers and scanners, as well as pantry access with free flow coffee/tea/beer on every floor. On the 20th “community floor” of the flagship Tower 535, there are hot desks, a ping pong table and lounge area. A barista from Coffee Academics is there on weekdays and breakfast is offered every morning. Members can attend events including wellness, networking, conferences.
More: wework.com
Campfire
Campfire has eight locations across the globe, including Kennedy Town, Wong Chuk Hang, Taikoo, Causeway Bay, and Quarry Bay. They offer flexible and multi-functional spaces to their members, with different plans from a simple hot desk, to a dedicated office space. Members then get access to a range of support services including printing, meeting room access, locker access, mail and package handling, as well as the Campfire snack bar. They also organise lots of fun events for members, such as networking nights, yoga sessions and special occasion workshops. They’ve branch out to now offer co-living and co-learning offerings.
More: campfire.work
Paperclip HK
paperclip describes itself as Hong Kong’s first dedicated startup campus, as they combine start-up accelerator programs with co-working spaces. Their three-month mentorship programs aim to support fledgling start-ups to develop. In terms of facilities they have hot desks, dedicated desks and office spaces. They have a flexipass plan, which allows people to pay just for five or ten sessions. They offer high speed wifi, meeting rooms, unlimited Nespresso coffee and tea and 24-hour access.
More: papercliphk.com
The Garage Society
The Garage Society has four branches on Hong Kong Island – at Sai Ying Pun, Central, Wan Chai, and Sheung Wan. They take their name from game-changing companies that began in a garage, such as Google. Join The Garage Society and you can access their network of co-working spaces and the Garage Academy. This is their programs to support businesses in the start-up community. They host weekly events and they also have regular workshops from one of their members, General Assembly. General Assembly offers a huge range of courses suitable to starts-ups and those working in digital and tech fields.
More: thegaragesociety.com
Ooosh
Kowloon-side start-ups will appreciate the convenience of Ooosh. These guys offer hot desks for “solopreneurs”, as well as private desks, office space and meeting rooms. Amenities include 24-hour access, free wifi, coffee, snack bar, lockers and standing workspaces. They also provide support to start-ups with advice and information about funding. Community members can take advantage of regular events held at the space, which is walking distance from Lai Chi Kok station.
More: www.facebook.com/Ooosh4Startups
The Loft
The Loft is located in San Po Kong, near Diamond Hill MTR station. It offers monthly hot desk, work station and office membership, as well as monthly part-time membership and day passes. They offer wifi services, 24-hour access, a communal reception, mail service and a business address to new businesses. They also have a sunny terrace and a barbecue court! The Loft offers a schedule of talks and events aimed to support and educate new businesses.
More: theloft.com.hk
Everest Serviced Offices
Everest Serviced Offices offers support to small-to-medium enterprises, which are defined as business with less than 50 employees. They have a co-working space in Central, which offers sole/small operators services such as a receptionist and a business address. In addition, they also offer fully-equipped offices at locations across the city to suit all budgets, sizes and business types. They have meeting rooms and a business lounge which is great for business travellers transiting through Hong Kong. Everest also offers a document management and storage service.
More: everestspaces.com
See more in our Living in Hong Kong section
This article first appeared in the City Guide 2021/22 issue of Expat Living magazine. Subscribe now so you never miss an issue.
