Cape Town’s latest co-working space looks to combine coffee shop buzz with home-style comfort

Cape Town has plenty of co-working spaces catering to the city’s burgeoning startup scene. While there’s clearly a need for them, it can sometimes be difficult for them to stand out from each other.

But that’s exactly what the latest entrant into the space, Work & Co, is looking to do.

Work & Co is the brainchild of French born Julien Verspieren, who sold his business in France in 2014, packed up and moved to Cape Town. In France, he was the founder of a recruitment company, and with another partner, grew their staff from two people to 160 people in the space of fourteen years.

According to a press release sent to Ventureburn, Verspieren aims to to bring those experiences to the Work and Co space.

“I experienced the way that co-working spaces have taken off not just in South Africa, but globally, and how they are creating and supporting a new way to work, says Verspieren.

“In Work & Co I wanted to create a unique 2 000 m2 space that people could draw inspiration from, interconnect through the latest technologies and grow their businesses. It combines the buzz of a coffee shop with the comforts of the most beautiful home, bringing a community of passionate entrepreneurs and creatives, working together under one roof. Work & Co is all about people”.

The space offers a number of solutions, from hot-desking to a shared office space area and private offices that can accommodate up to 15 people.

Work & Co is located in Touchstone House on Bree Street. The interiors were designed by Cape Town-based international designer Andrea Graff.

“The co-working office space we have created reflects my belief that a work environment should be comfortable and congenial, enriching the user experience,” says Graff. “We have brought in elements that make it feel lived in and established, layered and inspirational. It is like no other co-working office space in the country, it really pushes the boundaries, incorporating the work of some of South Africa’s best artists, designers and artisans.”,