By Rachel Naud
As any designer can attest, a large portion of their work is finding and collaborating with trusted vendors who can help build and beautify every project. The thing is, finding the right partners can often be the most time-consuming aspect of the job. After mulling over this significant issue, Carly Nemtean, a designer and co-founder of The Collective Workspace, had an epiphany: Why not create a space that combines different facets of the design industry under one convenient and inspiring roof?
Enter The Collective Workspace. Launching in 2019, the nowthriving business opened its doors in Toronto and a tight-knit community of designers, architects and builders was born. It got off to an exciting start, with local professionals jumping on board and more than half of their available offices selling out almost immediately. Designers were utilizing the on-site vendor resources, as well as boardrooms and event spaces that were rented out for small events and networking opportunities. Then the pandemic hit.
Today, Nemtean says business at The Collective Workspace has returned to what it was prior to COVID-19. In fact, she and her team recently opened a second location in Mississauga, Ont. Located inside the Toronto International Design Centre, the 3,000-squarefoot space boasts resources for designers, architects and builders. Much like their initial location, this one has a materials library, offices, boardroom and lounge in a designer-focused showroom. “In our new location, we’re seeing people come in from all over, including Brampton, Oakville, Peterborough, Guelph and Muskoka,” she says. “This space really gives these professionals the opportunity to grow their network.”
It also gives them the ability to choose the way in which they want to work, as The Collective is open to all tiers of professionals and offers four types of memberships, each including access to various amenities. The Flex membership allows access to the club area during business hours, as well as membership boardroom pricing and mail delivery services. It’s ideal for work-from-home designers who don’t necessarily need a dedicated workspace on a regular basis, but sometimes need a space to bring in clients or associates once a month. The Hub membership gives professionals a dedicated desk in a shared area and storage space. “What we offer is perfect for people who don’t have the budget for an office or fixed space and want the freedom to come and go,” says Nemtean. “These are often one-person companies or those who work as contractors for other firms.”
Their next tier, the Suite membership, is ideal for members who want a more private workspace. This option gives you a fully furnished office with desks for associates (the space best fits two to four people), as well as open shelving and storage cabinets. Finally, the Executive membership gives members a private office for up to seven that comes unfurnished, so designers can work their magic and show off their work. (It also has a private kitchenette and 24/7 access.) Nemtean says The Collective is also working on a new membership called The C Suite, a package that will include an annual membership fee for events, product knowledge sessions and masterminds for design and build industry professionals. “It will offer an opportunity for designers to do things like conduct panel talks online and participate in product-knowledge sessions,” she says. “As a professional, it’s important to always be learning and seeing what others are doing. It has made my business — and our members’ businesses — that much more successful.”
For professionals considering membership, Nemtean and her team offer tours and are always open to discussing potential clients’ lifestyle, office needs and goals for their businesses. What started as a logical solution to a common business problem has blossomed into a wonderfully creative space for those in the design industry to explore and expand their businesses. Visit thecollectiveto.com for more information on services and to take a virtual tour of their locations.