Tuesday, November 11, 2014YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- NYO Property Group LLC is targeting startups and other businesses and individuals who don’t need a lot of space right away -- or even space every day.
Based on a concept used in other larger cities, NYO’s Urban Office Space is on the fourth floor of the 16 Wick Building, using space a law firm once occupied. The space, in addition to offices that can be leased month-to-month, features amenities such as a shared break room, copy machine, Internet access, conference rooms and a part-time receptionist, reports Kelly Persin, NYO property manager.
Dominic C. Marchionda, NYO operations coordinator, says he saw an opportunity from law firms and other businesses that left the downtown but missed its atmosphere.
“So how do you capture that interest or that loyalty to the downtown?” he asks. Many professionals still come downtown to conduct their banking, business at the courthouses, meetings at Youngstown State University or the Youngstown Business Incubator. “With that being said, why aren’t we offering something that’s a little more flexible?”
The concept is offering these professionals space in the downtown where they can work or conduct meetings rather than a small coffee shop or drive around downtown or return to their offices in the suburbs between meetings. “If they know they’re going to be down here for a few hours a day, they can schedule some meetings, set up shop, have coffee, use our wireless, make copies and prepare for whatever they’ve got to do during the day,” he says.
The space officially opened June 1, although a few tenants were there before that date, reports Kristopher North, NYO office coordinator, who manages Urban Office Space.
Two levels of memberships are offered, he says. The private office is included in the executive membership that, depending on the size of the office, runs $200 to $350 per month.
“It’s kind of like if you want to start your own office but you don’t really want all the startup costs up front,” Persin says. “We have additional space if you want to grow.”
Co-work memberships that range from $50 to $100 are “for people who don’t need a private office” to work, and the option allows them to network with other businesses in the space, North says.
“We do offer what we call a day office also,” in which space can be leased for $50 per hour, he continues. “It’s really good for attorneys.”
“We created this with the attorneys in mind,” Persin says. “There’s really no place to go in between court sessions, so if you get a co-work membership you can come and use this space, connect with our Wi-Fi and kind of mingle with others.” In addition to attorneys, NYO is targeting students and entrepreneurs who “have an idea out there but they’re nervous to make the first step,” she says.
“Your commitment is whatever you want your commitment to be here, North adds.
One tenant is Arisha Williams, president of Prosperity Staffing Solutions LLC, who says she worked in a similar office setup when she was in the Bay area of California.
“I love the flexibility of having this workspace,” she says, and having businesses nearby to share ideas. “It’s a great way to share, network and just kind of work together as a group,” she continues. The building itself is a downtown landmark, easily recognized by her clients, she says.
About half the floor space has been renovated for the concept, with plans to adapt the remaining space as demand grows, Persin says. All but two of the office units are leased.
“The community’s been pretty receptive of it,” North says. “There’s a lot of opportunity for nonprofits and anyone who doesn’t have a space to do what they have to do. There’s nothing like this in the area right now. I don’t even know if there’s anything like this is Cleveland or Akron or even Pittsburgh.”
Pictured: Dominic C. Marchionda, operations coordinator, for NYO Property Group.
Copyright 2014 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
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