Dupage Policy Journal

Not terribly long ago, coworking spaces were desks and tables in a low-walled cubicle farm where people sat and worked.

Those days are over. The ongoing pandemic has compelled operators to come up with a different coworking space, one that provides more social and more creative approaches to creating a more flexible place to work.

Suburban Chicago's Enclave took to that new concept of the coworking space, applied a new approach and isn't looking back.

"The Enclave is a space that you can make into whatever you want it to be," Enclave owner Robert Kellman told DuPage Policy Journal. "Most places, you get what you pay for. In ours, it's whatever you want it to be."

Enclave, a private flexible workspace and social club just opened a new location at 291 N. Dunton in Arlington Heights, a block north of the Metra station. This latest edition to the Enclave network encompasses a 2,300-square-foot building that will house 5 conference rooms, a quiet room, shared lounge and work space. The private flexible workspace and social club in Arlington Heights will have openings for 120 members.

Members of the new Arlington Heights location can expect all the services provided at Enclaves in Glen Ellyn and Downers Grove.

Enclave was born out of a difficult time. Among other things, the pandemic saw the rise of many flexible workspaces that broke down walls, in part because enclosed spaces could promote the spread of COVID-19, according to CoWorking Insights. What began as a health precaution opened up availability to show the overall safety of these spaces and promote people getting back to work sooner.

Some of the more creative concepts that operators have implemented included innovative workspaces, even rooftop office spaces, with other coworking spaces in woodlands and forests, all complete with Wi-Fi. One even allows for marijuana consumption inside, according to CoWorking Insights.

Other concepts for flexible workspaces include virtual offices that create simulations with full floorplans for users and Artificial Intelligence assistance in marketing, planning, projects and record-keeping.

It's been quite a change since pre-pandemic times, when 77% of coworking operators surveyed said they planned to open new locations. Of those surveyed, 32% said those plans included opening a new location by 2020, while 38% planned on opening two to three new locations and 9% had plans to open eight or more locations.

Those figures have jumped since the pandemic, and Enclave has been on the leading edge of that change.

The first Enclave, Enclave 535, is in downtown Glen Ellyn, a five-minute walk from the Metra Station and a short driving distance to and from Wheaton, Glendale Heights and Lombard. Enclave 535 features private conference rooms and work niches, lounge seating and a BYOB bar.

"The Enclave is modeled after the speakeasies of the 20th century, complete with its velvet couches, wood detailing and exclusive nature," Kellerman said specifically about the Glen Ellyn location, which opened in January of last year.

Enclave 5111 is in downtown Downers Grove, a block from the Metra station and a short driving distance to and from Clarendon Hills, Hinsdale and Westmont. Work and leisure amenities at the Downers Grove Enclave include and open workspace and private rooms, in addition to a downstairs with lounge seating and a BYOB bar.

Workspaces are $115 for individuals and $150 for couples, per month, with no long-term contract. The monthly payment includes a private, fingerprint-enabled access business with office space and conference room.