The Beauty Shoppe. Photo by Rob Larson

According to CNBC, almost 13 percent of the U.S. working-age population was in the process of starting or running a new business last year—a 67% jump from 2010. Forbes notes that “an increasingly diverse cross-section of individuals is leaving large organizations and pursuing the creation of their own businesses.”

This year, you may be one of the new crop of individuals looking to make your mark. If so, you’re in luck—Pittsburgh has a rising number of coworking spaces and shared resources that will help you launch your new venture with less risk and a growing community of like-minded individuals that will provide inspiration and support. These facilities offer month-to-month leases and turnkey amenities that allow you to plug-and-play from Day 1.

Entrepreneurs and freelancers of all kinds—from coders to cooks—have access to a wide range of options all over the city. To start you off, here is our comprehensive guide to Pittsburgh’s coworking spaces.

Flexible Office Space

At the Beauty Shoppe in East Liberty. Photo by Rob Larson.
At the Beauty Shoppe in East Liberty. Photo by Rob Larson.

The Beauty Shoppe

Where: East Liberty

6101 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15206

How much: Starts at $50/month for students for flexible membership and $100 for non-students. Private offices start at $350.

Why: The Beauty Shoppe’s tagline “Work Beautifully” says it all. Founders Rabih Helou and Matt Ciccone are obsessed with the way people work, and it shows in the thoughtful design.

Cube Creative Space

Where: East Liberty

5877 Commerce St., Pittsburgh, PA 15206

How much: Private offices start at $350/month.

Why: Cube in East Liberty offers affordable, short-term lease office space for companies that have outgrown the shared spaces. With communal kitchens, lounges and amenities, Cube offers the best of communal and private office spaces.

The X Factory

Where: Point Breeze

6901 Lynn Way, Pittsburgh, PA 15208

How much: Pricing is flexible. Contact Howard Eisner at 412-855-3353 or howardeisner@gmail.com.

Why: At five stories and 250,000 sq. ft. it is one of the largest shared spaces in the city.

Revv Oakland

Where: Oakland

3710 Forbes Ave. Pittsburgh, PA, 15213

How much: Desks start at $150/month.  Private offices start at $500/month.

Why: In the heart of the neighborhood with Pittsburgh’s top universities, Revv Oakland boasts a distinctive lineup of startups, including Uber, NoWait and StitchFix.

Catapult

Where: Lawrenceville

4327 Butler St, 2nd Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15201

How much: Catapult starts with $10 day passes and flexible desks at $50/month. Offices start at $250.

Why: Located in Lawrenceville, the coworking space offers not only desks but regular networking events through its Meetup group and an open device lab where developers can test their work in multiple devices.

The Global Switchboard

Where: Lawrenceville

305 34th St, Pittsburgh, PA 15201

How much: Memberships vary based on needs.

Why: The Global Switchboard is a co-working space for Pittsburgh’s globally engaged social-profit organizations and individuals. Global Switchboard provides not only space but also support and connections to grow your organization.

StartUptown

Where: Uptown

1936 Fifth Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15219

How much: Rates start at $150/month.

Why: StartUptown launched before “coworking” was a thing—the space is bright and cozy and houses companies ranging from design to bio-engineering startups. Mentorship is available for companies who are interested. The space is located in the Keystone Innovation Zone, which makes companies eligible for a number of benefits, including tax credits.

StartUptown @PFEX

Where: Uptown

1727 Blvd of the Allies, Pittsburgh, PA 15219

How much: Rates start at $150/month.

Why: The beautifully redesigned old building goes back to its roots with a movie-themed aesthetic. There are offices on two floors and conference rooms for small to large meetings.

BrunoWorks
BrunoWorks

BrunoWorks

Where: Downtown

945 Liberty Ave., Pittsburgh PA 15219

How much: Rates start at $50/month for students to $250 for full membership.

Why: Right in the heart of downtown, real estate innovator Eve Picker’s coworking space was born out of the desire to optimize excess space. The product is a beautiful, lofty workspace with amenities that include office and art supplies plus photo backdrops and light kits.

21st Street Coffee

Where: The Strip District

2002 Smallman St. Pittsburgh PA 15219

How much: Desks can be used daily for $10, weekly for $30 and $100 per month.

Why: Everyone’s coworking entry point has been coffee shops. 21st Coffee has formalized that by devoting a section in the loft space of the café where coworkers get the basic amenities plus a 20% discount at the coffee shop.

Work Hard PGH

Where: Allentown

744 E. Warrington Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15210

How much: Memberships start at $45/month.

Why: Work Hard PGH is a coworking space that fosters deliberate collaboration—members are welcome to mine the expertise of its community of digital and freelance professionals. Work Hard PGH offers desk space and basic amenities as well as production facilities such as a green screen room, podcasting and VO booths.

PGH Green Innovators CoWorkshop
PGH Green Innovators CoWorkshop

PGH Green Innovators CoWorkshop

Where: Lower Hill District

Energy Innovation Center (EIC), 1435 Bedford Ave., Suite 140, Pittsburgh, PA 15219

How much: Furnished desk space rates range from $300 to $425/month.  Email tbartnik@pghgreeninnovators.org for more information.

Why: PGH Green Innovators welcomes individuals and non-profits working on green economic development. Located in the Energy Innovation Center, PGI is part of the Keystone Innovation Zone, which makes companies eligible for a number of benefits, including tax credits.

Alloy 26

Where: North Side

100 South Commons, Pittsburgh, PA 15212

How much: Membership starts at $99/month

Why: Alloy 26, the largest space of its kind in Western Pennsylvania with 50,000 square feet of flexible workspace, is opening its permanent location in April. Part of the massive urban renewal project Nova Place, Alloy 26 occupants will find themselves in an emerging technology space only minutes from downtown.

The lounge for private video conferences or client meetings. Photo by Emma Diehl.
Whetstone’s lounge. Photo by Emma Diehl.
Whetstone’s lounge. Photo by Emma Diehl.

Whetstone Workgroup

Where: Sharpsburg

2310 Main St., Pittsburgh, PA 15215

How much: Access to space starts at $125/month

Why: The newly opened Whetstone Workgroup marries coworking for freelancers with on-site childcare for entrepreneurs with kids. In addition to office space, Whetstone offers workshops, software access and special events tailored to freelancers. Located in the same building as La Dorita (see below).

Soon to come:

Think Tank Pittsburgh

Think Tank’s website indicates that they are currently looking for space in the downtown area.

Leah Lizarondo is a food advocate, writer and speaker. She is also the co-founder of 412 Food Rescue, an organization that seeks to eliminate food waste to make an impact on hunger and the environment. She is the Chief Veghacker, recipe creator and curator at The Brazen Kitchen, where she writes about food and food policy. She writes about the intersection of food, health, innovation and policy.