Weezie Mackey has heard stories about how coworking spaces operated by big national chains can be male-dominated, lack privacy and have a fraternity party feel that can be intimidating for users who want a more relaxed environment.
“People don’t necessarily want Ping-Pong being played when they work,” said Mackey, a writer who with her contractor husband is launching her first coworking facility in a North Post Oak business park. “We wanted to be a more grown-up version.”
The new space, Origin Cowork, fills nearly 10,000 square feet at 1000 North Post Oak near the Awty International School. The facility has 15 offices, 20 cubicles and 30 “hot desks” — unassigned spaces where people can work for the day.
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Mackey said there’s room for all models, especially in a city as large as Houston where potential coworking tenants might not want to go downtown or to the Galleria area where parking can be a costly expense.
“We have parking,” she said, “and it’s free.”
Mackey anticipates much of the demand at Origin to come from lawyers, accountants, architects, and freelance writers.
“They’re already established,” she said. “They just want a place where they can get work done and meet clients that’s not their dining room table.”
