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Co-Working Meets Community Center at Bespeak Studios in Lincoln Park

By Mina Bloom | October 2, 2015 6:10am
 Jill Steinberg, owner of Bespeak Studios, 737 W. Wrightwood Ave.
Jill Steinberg, owner of Bespeak Studios, 737 W. Wrightwood Ave.
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DNAinfo/Mina Bloom

LINCOLN PARK —  A co-working space with a homey decor and an emphasis on getting groups together to share ideas has opened in Lincoln Park. 

Longtime consultant Jill Steinberg opened Bespeak Studios, 737 W. Wrightwood Ave., to host meet-up groups and classes and give freelancers and contract workers a place to work in place of crowded coffee shops.

Lincoln Park has one of the highest populations of people who work from home among the city's neighborhoods. According to Census data from 2009 to 2013 compiled by DNAinfo Chicago, 2,740 people work from home in Lincoln Park.

"I would love for this to be a thriving center of idea sharing, education and training," said Steinberg, who lives down the street.

With its mid-century modern furniture and soft lighting, Bespeak Studios feels like your neighbor's apartment. Steinberg said that was a deliberate choice to set it apart from similar places that have more of corporate feel.

At other co-working spaces, she said, people often work at tables alone. But at Bespeak Studios, there are longer tables meant to encourage collaboration.

While individuals are welcome, Steinberg also hopes to attract groups of two or more so it's not exclusively isolated "individuals sitting next to each other working."

The space, which was formerly occupied by an architecture firm for years, has sectioned off areas where individuals or groups can work in seclusion, as well as a kitchen. 

Steinberg envisions Bespeak as a community center — one where people working on start-up companies can talk about their ideas, people can participate in classes or a consultant can meet with a client. It's already hosted Dabble classes, and plans to host more in the coming weeks.

In December, she's planning on hosting a small artists' gift show.

"I'm bringing back the old-fashioned community gathering place in a way. I want to always have a pot of coffee going," she said.

To start, the Lincoln Park studio is open by reservation only. Individuals can rent a portion of the space, starting at $20 per hour. Renting out the entire 1,000 square foot space will set you back $500 per day.

For a full list of rates, visit the studio's website.

For those interested in checking out the space, there will be a Halloween open house, dubbed "BeSpooky Open House at Bespeak Studios," from noon-5 p.m Oct. 31. Steinberg will be there offering coffee, cider and snacks, as well as free time in the space, which can be reserved for a future date.


The front area of Bespeak Studio. [All photos DNAinfo/Mina Bloom]

One of the sectioned-off areas in the space designed for group meetings.


A view of the space from the front door, including the kitchen. 

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