Being a digital nomad sounds like a dream, doesn’t it? Fixing up your own work schedule and having the freedom to work from any location sounds like the best game plan.
However, working at your hotel room or hostel (Airbnb is illegal in Singapore) can be isolating, distracting and extremely unproductive. Just with Netflix and the coziness of your bed, you’re very likely to take your own sweet time to complete impending tasks.
In an urban city like Singapore, the last place you want to be is cooped up in your own room. Singapore is a hotbed for startups, you want to put yourself out there to meet like-minded individuals, make friends and open new doors to opportunities.
Whether you want a place to build your own e-commerce store or just a place to chill and answer emails, Singapore has a list of coworking spaces you can choose from – where you can work productively with other entrepreneurs and generally cool people.
If you’re new to Singapore and not sure where to hang out in Singapore, fret not!
Here’s a list of the top 5 coworking spaces in Singapore:
The Great Room
The Great Room somehow reminds me of a scene from “The Great Gatsby”. Decked with polished parquet floors, marble tabletops, and mocha leather sofas, the ambiance is a far cry from the casual tech-focused coworking spaces. Well lit with natural lighting and having award-winning paintings hung around the office, this space spells luxury!
The Great Room is also fully furnished with meeting rooms, a lounge, video conferencing and projector facilities. They even have a “member’s relationship manager”.
To be honest, this place isn’t for a brand new lean startup. You’re definitely paying a premium for what comes along with it. In fact, startups only make 25% of their tenant mix. I would say that The Great Room focuses on high-end clientele, those with deep pockets and are already way past their incubation phase.
What I really like about the place is the location and the ease to network. With the free flow of Papa Palheta coffee all-day, it is extremely easy to just grab a cup and speak to anyone at the lounge area. Though I must say that from my experience, a large majority of the startups there focuses on fintech in general.
Hot desk rates start from SGD 750 per month while a dedicated office goes at SGD 2,500 per month – which is approximately 20% higher than most coworking spaces. If you just need the usual facilities or a space to work at, this is probably not for you. Most startups usually come here to network.
Other initiatives that The Great Room has (on top of free all-day coffee):
- Business address with mail and package handling
- Complimentary breakfast on Mondays from 8.30am to 10.30am
- Shoulder massages on Monday afternoons
- Yoga sessions on Tuesdays (there are shower facilities on site)
Rates: SGD 70 per Day, SGD 750 per month (Hot Desk) or SGD 2,500 per month (Dedicated Room).
Opening Hours: 9 am to 6pm (Weekdays Only)
Address:
- 3 Temasek Ave Level 17 and 18, Centennial Tower, Singapore 039190
- 1 George St Level 10, Singapore 049145
- 391B Orchard Rd, Level 22, Ngee Ann City Tower, Singapore 238874
- 328 North Bridge Road, #02-20, Raffles Hotel Arcade, Singapore 188719
Cospace Park (Best Price)
Cospace Park is probably the most affordable coworking space you can find in Singapore. Going at SGD 50 per month for a hot desk, it is really a steal. But of course, there is a trade-off – it’s the location!
Cospace Park is located in the West of Singapore, near the National University of Singapore. It is not located in the Central Business District of Singapore, so it might be a little inconvenient if you’re traveling out to meet a partner or a client. Nevertheless, Cospace Park is still very accessible – you can even get there via Singapore’s public transport.
The membership gives you 24/7 access to Cospace Park, which is great for night owls, considering most coworking spaces closes at 6pm on weekdays and are shut over the weekends. On top of that, they also have networking sessions and health & wellness classes for members. I highly recommend you to check out this coworking space, especially if you’re on a tight budget!
Rates: SGD 50 per month (Hot Desk) or SGD 2,000 per year (Hot Desk for 4 pax)
Opening Hours: 24 hours, 7 days a week.
Address: 43 Science Park Road #01-11, Singapore 117408
Directions: Take a train to Kent Ridge MRT (Subway) Station. Take Exit B and head to Bus Stop No. 151139. Board Bus No. 200 and alight 1 stop later. Walk towards Cospace Park (100 meters away from Bus Stop).
The Working Capitol
The Working Capitol is a coworking space found along Keong Saik Road, one of Singapore’s most happening streets right now – with new bars and restaurants opening all the time. But what many do not know is that Keong Saik Road used to be a prominent red-light district with high concentration of brothels back in the 1960s. However, that has cleared up over the last few decades.
The shophouse where The Working Capitol is located at is a gorgeous historical building that feels out of the ordinary when you step in. The interior decoration is beautiful and it keeps my ideas flowing while I was there. Personally, I have spent quite a bit of time at The Working Capitol and I really like getting work done there because it is just so convenient. They have an in-house café and even a rooftop member’s bar! I did not even have to step out of the building to get my lunch fix!
If you’re in Singapore for leisure travel, but would still need a place to get proper work done, give The Working Capitol a shot. It is located in central Singapore and is near the tourist hot spots. I definitely like the idea of killing two birds with one stonework and travel!
Rates: SGD 255 per month (Hot Desk) or SGD 800 per month (Dedicated Room)
Opening Hours: 8.30am to 6pm
Address: 1 Keong Saik Road, Singapore 089109
JustCo (Central Location & Affordable)
If you need a coworking space that is located in central Singapore, JustCo is your answer. The majority of their coworking spaces are located in central Singapore and their rates are probably the cheapest in Singapore’s prime district area – Central Business District.
Obviously I have not tried working at all their outlets, but for those, I have been to, they have done up the place pretty nicely. The vibe is similar to that of a hipster café, and they even have an in-house barista to make you a cup of coffee! They also have recreational facilities like ping-pong tables and foosball. But personally, I don’t fancy those and in fact, it can be a distraction for you!
Rates: SGD 398 per month (Hot Desk) or SGD 750 per month (Dedicated Desk)
Opening Hours: 8.30am to 6pm (Weekdays Only)
Address:
- 120 Robinson Road #15-01 Singapore 068913
- 20 Collyer Quay, Level 1, Singapore 049319
- 51 Bras Basah Road, Level 5 and 6, Singapore 189554
- 6 Raffles Quay, #16-01, Singapore 048580
- 8 Shenton Way AXA Tower #50-01, Singapore 068811
- 12 Marina View Asia Square Tower 2 #23-01, Singapore 018961
- 18 Cross St, #02-01, Singapore 048423
- 40A Orchard Road, #03-01, Singapore 238823
- 8 Cross St Manulife Tower #28-01, Singapore 048424
- 7 Straits View, Marina One East Tower, #05-01, Singapore 018936
- 9 Straits View, Marina One West Tower, #05-07, Singapore 018937
- 6 Raffles Boulevard, Marina Square, #03-308, Singapore 039594
- 3 Church Street Samsung Hub #12-02 & #25-01, Singapore 049483
- 5 Shenton Way, UIC Building, #10-01, Singapore 068808
- 10 Collyer Quay, #16-01 Ocean Financial Centre, Singapore 049315
- 1 Gateway Drive Westgate Tower #07-01, Singapore 608531
The Hive Singapore
If you’re a craftsperson, photographer or a creative person who needs some coworking space, The Hive @ Lavender is made for you!
Specially retro-fitted for the hands-on creative type, The Hive @ Lavender is a cushy haven for individuals who enjoy flexible creative work. At the Makerhive Workshop (located within The Hive @ Lavender), they have got a full-sized photography studio and a workshop equipped with 3D printers, laser cutters, woodworking tools and etc.
At the regular work area, there are plenty of open bench tables where you can almost always score a spot. The workspace has an industrial theme, furnishes with light wood tones and black grid panels. The large windows on the sides let the generous amount of natural light into the work area, boosting productivity and giving you a view beyond the four walls.
Although The Hive @ Lavender is slightly off the Central Business District area, it is still a very convenient location – located within walking distance from the MRT (Subway) Stations. It only takes you 3 minutes to walk from Bendemeer MRT station and 10 minutes from either Lavender or Boon Keng MRT Station.
Hot-desking plans starts from SGD 210 per month whereas a dedicated desk will cost you SGD 450 per month.
Rates: SGD 210 per month (Hot Desk) or SGD 450 per month (Dedicated Desk)
Opening Hours: 8am to 8pm (Weekdays Only)
Address: 1 Kallang Junction, Vanguard Campus, Singapore 339263
Other “The Hive” Locations:
- 36 Carpenter Street Singapore 059915
- 59 New Bridge Road Singapore 059405
Things To Consider When Choosing A Coworking Space In Singapore
Just like everyone else, you may be seduced by a particular coworking space that provides you with free-flow craft beer, or one that provides you with free yoga lessons. But there are certainly a few factors that you would need to seriously consider before signing up.
Operating Hours: Some coworking spaces run 24/7 while others run on the usual 9am to 6pm. If you’re night owl (or still feeling the jet lag) and work best after daylight, you’re better off choosing a coworking space with 24/7 access. *Singapore runs on GMT+8:00.
Subscription Model: There are many different subscriptions tier that coworking spaces offer. The prices vary depending on whether you need a dedicated desk or a room or just a hot desk. Although most of the coworking spaces require a full month subscription that allows you unlimited access, there are some cheaper alternatives that grant limited access or even a pay per use model.
Location: Just like gym memberships, some coworking spaces are chains that offer access to multiple locations, while boutique spaces only give you access to one. If you’re frequently on the go, traveling to different parts of Singapore, you should consider subscribing to coworking spaces with multiple locations!
Which is the most affordable coworking space in Singapore?
If you’re a lean startup, the budget would probably be the main concern for you. I recommend checking out Cospace Park in Kent Ridge, where you can probably get a hot desk for less than SGD 250 per month.
Generally speaking, the further you are away from the central business district area, the cheaper the coworking space.
Which coworking spaces in Singapore is best for meetings?
If your work requires you to meet clients or business partners, you’ll need meeting rooms and coworking spaces which steer clears from the college dormitory vibe. I recommend checking out “The Great Room” even though they can be somewhat pricey – but they’ll definitely score points for being professional. On top of that, it is also located at the central business districts, which helps lend some credibility to your work.
Author’s Bio:
Janice Nguyen is an aspiring nomad traveler who first felt her calling in 2017, the same year she graduated from culinary school. She currently funds her travel escapades by working as a private chef in Singapore and hopes to transit to lead a nomadic lifestyle in five years’ time.
Instead of sharpening her Mercer culinary knives during her spare time, she blogs at www.travelguidesingapore.com, her personal travel blog which centers on Singapore as a travel destination.