With Public Space, Newark Gains A Hands-On, Tech-Oriented Facility For The Community
This June, C&K Properties and =Space announced the opening of Public Space, an entrepreneurial-focused co-working center on the concourse level of 2 Gateway Center.
An extension of both the =Space floor plan and its vision to bring resources to New Jersey’s intellectuals, techies and entrepreneurs, the new facility builds on 2 Gateway’s growing list of modern amenities, proximity to transportation and internet connectivity infrastructure.
Public Space will bring the long-standing tech spirit of Newark into focus, and will provide a home base for digital, creative and other entrepreneurial startups to learn about and engage with each other through a variety of programs.
The property’s original co-working facility, =Space, opened in the concourse in 2016. Connected to Newark’s Penn Station, about 10,000 commuters pass through each day, putting it at the heart of Newark’s economic and transportation hubs. The 2K SF workspace not only offers membership-based desk reservations and meeting areas but also functions as an incubator for the community.
Public Space builds on that success and 2 Gateway's access to high-speed internet, connectivity infrastructure and proximity to transportation. The facility opens up Newark residents and business professionals to the possibilities of a strong tech ecosystem.
Newark is ripe for these resources. Former Mayor Cory Booker led the charge with the creation of Newark Venture Partners, a $50M accelerator fund for tech startups. Current Mayor Ras Baraka has kept up the momentum with free coding camps, hackathons and education initiatives designed to rekindle the city’s entrepreneurial spirit.
More millennials are flocking to Newark, drawn by the quick commute to Manhattan and the growing number of Class-A office spaces within the city, like 2 Gateway.
The New York-Newark-Jersey City area has seen its millennial population rise 2.5% from 2010 to 2015. Millennials also make up a large portion of =Space members. Orienting the facility's programming toward their type of consumerism, which favors brand loyalty and philanthropic efforts, played a role in the design of Public Space.
For =Space founder Citi Medina, showing the community that a tech-oriented space could have a strong presence in Newark was critical. Public Space is transparent, with a large glass wall separating the facility from the rest of the concourse. Pedestrians can look in on workstations, demo areas and tech innovation in progress. Visitors can also view the Innovation Wall, a large-scale touch display that functions as an interactive board during classes and a visual showcase when not in use.
“Newark is experiencing a tech revolution, and Public Space creates an inspiring environment to nurture, grow and connect the tech community throughout the region,” Medina said. “It is essential to our ecosystem that we maintain maximum visibility. Public Space will do just that.”
The facility's transparency offers startups a key asset: brand equity. Public Space builds on experiential marketing practices and applies them to the tech space, allowing visitors to form a better opinion about a brand after an in-person experience.
Passersby can also catch educational events happening throughout the year. This summer, programming will include a series of fireside chats, live podcast recordings and guest speakers designed to provide Newark’s tech community with additional skills, inspiration and new industry connections.
“=Space continues to be a major advocate for Newark’s innovators and entrepreneurs by connecting startups to others in the community through its events,” C&K Properties Senior Partner Ben Korman said.
Public Space has created a space that will empower youths and startups to immerse themselves in the world of tech, reaffirming Newark’s status as a “Silicon City.”
Currently, 2 Gateway Center is marketing leasing opportunities ranging from 5K to 285K SF of ready-to-occupy Class-A office space. For more information on leasing opportunities, contact CBRE Senior Vice President Dudley Ryan at 973-437-2083 or Dudley.Ryan@cbre.com.
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