9 Cool Co-Working Spaces

While innovative companies have traded cubicles for open, flexible office plans, people are seeking even more elastic social spaces that foster wellness and connection—both in the office and out.

And with more and more people going freelance or setting up on their own, there's a growing demand for flexible and sociable work spaces.

Of course, a dreamy home office space at home goes a long way, but sometimes working from home can get a little stuffy. Coworking spaces give freelancers or entrepreneurs a shared work space that also acts as a community, with some new co-working spaces even offering on-site gyms, tennis courts and rooftop bars.

Here are 9 cool co-working spaces in London that are still under-the-radar.

1. TINTAGEL HOUSE

A police building is not somewhere where you’d normally like to hang out – unless you happen to be in the Force.But when was the last time you visited a police building that had its own rooftop bar and terrace, gym, art gallery and even a ‘secret’ members club?

Vauxhall’s 12-storey former Met police station Tintagel Househas been transformed into a stylish office and co-working space.The ground floor has a gym opening out on to a garden that overlooks the river, whileupstairs there are private offices, each flooded with natural light.

Many offer some great views, plus there’s a bar, shop, healthy cafe and meeting rooms, allhousedalongside a speakeasy-style member’s only Secret Room that is hidden behind a cleaner’s cupboard door entrance.

Sound too good to be true? The new office space is just a stone’s throw Vauxhall Station and desks start from just £500 per month …

2. MORTIMER HOUSE

Set insidea beautiful six- storey Art Deco building in Fitzrovia, Mortimer Houseis a members-only co-working space with bars, lounges, a restaurant, gym and yoga studio – and gorgeous interiors.

Founded by a former hotelier, the design blendsthe post-modern design with exposed features from the original 1930s building.

The workspaces consist of private studies, individual bureaus, a variety of meeting rooms, one of which contains its own kitchen, and communal living rooms.

Membership starts from £100 per month.

3.UNCOMMON

Super fast internet, coffee lounges, quiet zones, meeting rooms and private roofgarden aside, Uncommon also offer sports classes and mindfulness sessions as well as regular events and workshops.

And with locations in Highbury & Islington, Borough, Liverpool Street and Fulham, plus super flexible membership options – from day passes and weekend passes to dedicated desks and private offices, it seems there's nothing that this place can't do.

Uncommon is focussed on wellbeing, with offices spaces offering “bespoke scents in each room, tailored music playlists, and an abundance of greenery and plants (including live olive trees and moss-covered walls).”

Expect rooftop yoga, healthy snacks, smoothies, juices and coffees, showers, bike storage, phone booths, meeting rooms and a “creative lab” for brainstorming.Spots start at £299 a month for a hot desk, £399 for a dedicated desk and £650 for a private office.

4. THE BLOCK

De Beauvoir Block, orThe Block, as it is sometimes known, is a network of 33 workspaces, ranging from 300 to 2,500 square feet, designed for creatives.

Here you'll find Alexa Chung’s eponymous fashion label, along with advertising and communications agencies, photographers and more.

As well as the office space, The Block has a hot-desking area of 24 desks which members can join on an exclusive or casual basis.

Members can enjoy the café, 24/7 secure entry, superfast WiFi, meeting rooms and networking opportunities – without the hassle of full time office space.

5. PAVILION

Pavilion has just opened their second location, following the success of their Kensington branch.

The new City Pavilion is a design-led workplace concept in the heart of the square mile that boasts a 3,000 sq ft Rooftop Garden with 82,000 st ft of modern office space. Members can also enjoy meals at Drake and Morgan’s The Listing, a business lounge, Gymbox gym, as well as bike club and ‘Spanner’ bike repair shop.

Moving into the financial district of Cannon Green, the new co-working space has five floors of office space, and one of the largest private rooftops in the city centre.

The stylish interiors have an industrial feel with exposed pipeworkand quirky furnishings, with a dramatic glass atrium leading to a futuristic open staircase. Hot desk from £275 per month or have your own pod area and private desk space from £1,000 per month.

6. HUB HUB

The popular European co-working chain HubHub will soon be opening their first outpost in London.

Known for its stylish co-working spaces, gaming zones, chill out spaces and networking events,HubHub already has offices in Bratislava, Prague and Warsaw, with more sites planned very soon.

Watch this space for a London site, coming soon.

7.CAMDEN ATRIUM

Designed by architects Barr Gazetas, The Atrium in Camden is a stylish office space for 600 people, with interiors kitted out byTom Dixon.

Barr Gazetas completely refurbished the previously vacant building: a new podium level has been carved from an awkward collection of steps and ramps, creating a fluid and seamless entrance to the building that provides a perfect platform and stage venue for events. Three floors of alternative working styles are situated above the podium level, offering private, hot-desking and breakout spaces.

There's an on-site restaurant and bar, vertical gardens, not one but numerous roof terraces and chill out areas, all with a cool, rough and raw industrial edge.

The design mixes a clever mix of styles - angular seating and shiny polished surfaces contrast against the raw exposed brickwork areas and recyclable wooden flooring. Hot design starts from £300 per month, while dedicated desk space costs from £500 per month.

8. REPUBLIC EAST INDIA DOCK

Designed by Studio RHE architects, Republic East India Dockis a colossal space with shops, restaurants, bars and a gym.

The design focuses on well-being at work with increased daylight, better levels of ventilation, direct connections with nature and planting in the biodiverse central gardens.

It offers undercover local cycle parking, a large gym and communal roofterraces and water gardens.

9. HOUSE OF MARIA AMALIA

House of Maria Amalia's main branch is a stone’s throw away from Marques de Pombal, the business centre of Lisbon. But it also has an office in Shoreditch.

Both offer a light-filled and pet-friendly work environment, and allows you to travel between the two offices (should you be visiting the very now Lisbon).

Shoreditch members are givenfixed desks equipped with furniture, high-speed internet, desk lights and drawers...

... While the central location isjust a few steps aways from Old Spitafields Market and Brick Lane, with easy access to the trendiest bars, shops and restaurants.