When Robbin Orbison brought CapeSpace to Mashpee Commons in December 2019, she knew there was a demand for a co-working center on the Upper Cape.
Nearly four years later, that demand can be demonstrated in CapeSpace’s recent expansion, adding seven new private offices adjacent to its existing location at 13 Steeple Street.
“After Cape Cod Life moved out of that space, I had been eyeing it for a while,” said Orbison, the co-founder and president of CapeSpace. “The stars aligned, and Mashpee Commons was also interested in proceeding, so they started construction in early summer and the offices opened on August 1. What makes these offices much different is they are bigger than our normal size offices.”
Mashpee Commons Vice President John Renz said that CapeSpace has filled a critical need in the community.
“Several years ago, at a public design charette, several Mashpee residents expressed a desire for a coworking space,” he said. “With the hybrid and remote work movement, CapeSpace’s timing was perfect. Their expansion was a direct result of the demand for coworking space which is evident by all offices being filled.”
Since opening, all seven offices have been rented. They came fully furnished with a desk, chair, storage pedestal, and guest chairs; offer high-speed fiber optic internet through OpenCape; include use of CapeSpace’s printer and copier; and have access to a kitchen and beverage bar which features coffee and tea.
The offices rented are being used by a variety of professionals, including a realtor, individuals working in financial services, and a property manager.
Five of the offices have windows overlooking Steeple Street and the courtyard in front of Siena and Regal Cinemas. Orbison said the location is a selling point of the location.
“We’re in the Commons which is abuzz with lots of activity, and we’re steps away from all kinds of wonderful dining and shopping options,” she said.
Along with private offices, CapeSpace has a business lounge, which can be rented hourly, daily, weekly, or longer, as well as meeting rooms, and a business mailing address.
Three months after opening the Mashpee Commons location, the pandemic hit. “We’ve gone through a lot,” Orbison said. “We have been very fortunate that our members sustained us through those difficult years.”
Mashpee is the second CapeSpace location on Cape Cod. The first, in Hyannis, opened in 2016. Over the past seven years, CapeSpace has filled an important niche in the region, providing professional office space for entrepreneurs, small business owners, and remote workers who don’t want to commute to their corporate headquarters, but don’t want to work from home.
It’s become a more popular option since the pandemic when employees proved they could be productive while working remotely.
“We are a viable alternative for a lot of people which is fielding a lot of growth in this industry,” said Orbison. “We’re really proud of what we’ve created at CapeSpace. We have a really robust community at this time.”
To learn more about CapeSpace, visit www.CapeSpace.com.
