Business Guru

The Nicest Coworking Spaces in Riga

Today, together with a colleague, I worked in another coworking space in Riga, trying out the Hot Desk - unfixed workstation - option. Work proceeded as usual: Monday meeting, activity plan for the week, correspondence and calls with potential clients and candidates, and one in-person meeting. The only difference was that we were not in our usual VEF quarter office, but in a workspace freely accessible to all interested parties. I decided to compile my experience of four out of the thirteen coworking spaces currently available in Riga.

1. People Work

I will start with my current favourite, located at E. Birznieka-Upīša Street 21. A spacious coworking space across three floors. On offer are both fixed and unfixed workstations, as well as private offices starting from four workstations each and more. A large conference hall with 200 seats, a seminar room on the first floor for ~30 people, and meeting rooms of various sizes, each with its own individual design (Elon Musk, Bernie De Koven, and Kevin Systrom rooms - for 6 people; Garret Camp - for 10 people; Jack Ma - for 12 people; Mike Krieger - for 5 people). As one of the administrators mentioned, a fourth floor is planned for construction soon, housing a large-area office for one big company.

The greatest advantage of this coworking space is its spaciousness and large capacity. The interior is modern and functional, in restful grey-blue tones with colourful accents. It is somewhat reminiscent of the Teikums coworking space in atmosphere, but mentally different. I must say the clientele is more international (as far as could be overheard from the space's users). The main tenants are marketing and consultancy companies or independent professionals.

An interesting offering for those who work across the Baltic region or further afield: a permanent People Work membership card can also be used at coworking spaces Work'inn in Vilnius, Spring Hub in Tallinn, and Mothership in Helsinki. A less positive aspect: a limit of 10 pages per month and fairly steep copying and printing costs - not ideal for those with a lot of paperwork. Similarly, keeping a car near the office is a pricey pleasure, as Zone B (city centre) parking rates apply in the courtyard.

People Work monthly costs: Hot Desk (unfixed workstation) - EUR 99; fixed workstation - EUR 179; offices from EUR 199.

2. Teikums

My second favourite is, of course, the coworking space I tried out last summer in Jaunā Teika, at Gustava Zemgaļa Street 78. Both People Work and Teikums offer 24/7 access to the coworking space, though Teikums has no reception staff to greet and register all visitors.

The coworking space's greatest advantages, in my subjective assessment, are the separate glazed offices and the extensive range of events. Every week, various seminars, networking events, fitness classes, or food tasting sessions take place here. Read more about my experience at Teikums here.

3. ReStudio

A coworking space that opened quite recently in Pārdaugava, at Slokas Street 31. Unlike the previous two, it is fitted out not on the basis of a modern concept (eco thinking, technology, and multiculturalism), but has a certain historical breath and a bohemian touch. An Art Nouveau building, soft patterned rugs, gilded ornate frames, colourful chandeliers, and spotlight lighting.

A limited number of spaces is available (only three connected rooms with desks) and a fairly large hall for social events. The coworking space administration is quite talkative in person, but unwilling to reply to emails, so it was not possible to find out the pricing for either the workspace or the hall. The space is mainly frequented by the BiSmart community; little has been heard about other events there.

4. Turība Business HUB

Also located in Pārdaugava, at Graudu Street 68 - as the name suggests, on the premises of the Turība University of Business Administration. The spaces are nothing particularly special, but the people - the coworking space's "little souls" (as they call themselves) - are particularly positive and open. They communicate actively, share, and generate new ideas. They collaborate with LTRK, municipal associations, and industry professionals, with the goal of bringing mentors together with mentees - newcomers striving to develop in business. Every time I visit, I come home with a large dose of positivity.