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Forest Hills To Get Its First Co-Working Space This Fall

By Ewa Kern-Jedrychowska | August 23, 2016 11:08am
 The Austin Space is slated to open at 108-14 72nd Ave. in October, according to Benny Tan.
The Austin Space is slated to open at 108-14 72nd Ave. in October, according to Benny Tan.
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DNAinfo/Ewa Kern-Jedrychowska

QUEENS — Freelancers and professionals in Central Queens will soon be able to share a new co-working space in the heart of Forest Hills.

The 2,000-square-foot Austin Space at 108-14 72nd Ave., between Austin Street and Queens Boulevard, is slated to open on Oct. 1, according to organizers.

The idea is the brainchild of Benny Tan, a 24-year-old software engineer at SquareVibe from Bayside, and his girlfriend, Tiffany Choi, 24, a bank analyst, who lives in Forest Hills. 

Tan, who often works from home, was looking for a co-working space in Queens, but the nearest one he could find was in Long Island City, he said.

“So I thought: 'Why isn’t there one a little bit closer in Central Queens,'” Tan said. 

He and Choi decided to open such space in the area to address the needs of local "technologists, creative freelancers, remote and independent workers, and entrepreneurs," who find working from bustling coffee shops distracting and less productive. 

Forest Hills was the obvious choice, they said.

“That’s kind of the central area of Queens and it’s near the train station,” Tan said.

The couple will renovate the space in September before opening it in early October, but those interested can already sign up for it on their website, Tan said.

Members will pay to work in the space, instead of renting an office space of their own, Tan said.

Some of the amenities will include a conference room, whiteboards, printer, monthly meetups with experts from various industries as well as a kitchen with complimentary water, coffee and tea, a lounge area and an outdoor patio, Tan said.

High-speed internet will be available throughout the space, which will accommodate up to 40 people.

Tan said that workers will have three membership options. The cheapest one will cost $25 a month allowing members to work there once a month. The most expensive one will give them a full monthly access for $275 a month. Members will also have the option to pay $175 a month, which will allow them to use the space 12 times.

Sometime in November, the organizers are also planning to launch a "technology initiative program," geared towards middle school students who will be able to learn about things like programming, coding and 3D printing. A 3-month course will cost about $1,500, Tan said.

Tan said that they are planning to operate the space from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., but in the future they may keep it open 24 hours if there is demand for it. 

The organizers are also hoping to cover a portion of their expenses through a Kickstarter campaign, Tan said.