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Work in a Shared Space With Pets and Ping-Pong for $450 a Month

By Janet Upadhye | March 27, 2015 8:21am

DUMBO — A recently opened co-working space in DUMBO provides users with a pet-friendly loft complete with Japanese art, cowhide rugs, ping-pong tables and free beer — all to help with work productivity, the owners said.

The space also housed a blow-up zebra until resident dog, Rufus, took liberties and popped the beast. There is now a more durable wooden sheep in its place.

Other amenities at "Kongo" include a lounge and bar area called Nespresso, tea, free beer, magazine subscriptions, a microwave and a fridge along with work stations outfitted with solid wood desks, lockable file cabinets and high-speed Internet.

The design promotes "quality alone time and spontaneous non-work interactions," said Friko Starc, who founded the space.  "Data shows that, properly executed, both contribute to higher productivity, employee satisfaction and talent retention rates."

All this can be yours for $450 a month.

Starc launched the space with his wife Karen and signed a long-term lease on the loft at 68 Jay St. that is adorned with plants, large windows, a DUMBO mural from Japanese artist Masamitsu Shigeta and a 50-foot image of a 1920s cruise liner — as a nod to DUMBO’s maritime history, according to DUMBONYC.

Current workers include foreign correspondents, filmmakers and biotechnology writers, Starc said.

"We all benefit from each other's talent," Starc said. "It's having some of the best designers, researchers, journalists and producers in your own company."

There are six positions in the space open now and 20 more will be available before the summer.