AMHERST — Start-up companies, young entrepreneurs and people who have previously worked from home are among those who will be using Amherst’s first co-working space when it opens Tuesday, says AmherstWorks General Manager Jerry Guidera.
AmherstWorks, part of the Workbar network, is located in the former First National Bank building, 11 Amity St., which has undergone about $250,000 worth of renovations since July.
It joins similar shared offices like Click Workspace in Northampton and the Easthampton Co. Lab in Easthampton.
Targeting 200 members, 18 have already signed up, Guidera said, and of the 10 offices, rented for $600 a month, seven are already booked.
“We’re seeing a lot of interest in the conference rooms and event space,” Guidera said.
Two sound-proof spaces can be rented by members and nonmembers, including The Vault, which features a 6-inch metal door, and is outfitted with a large desk, a white board and videoconferencing.
Open to members 24 hours a day, AmherstWorks includes 19 dedicated desks and 30 floater desks, gigabit Wi-Fi and free coffee for members. As a perk of being part of Workbar, members can also periodically access other coworking spaces in the Boston area.
Guidera said he anticipates hosting a handful of events each week, but wants to strike a balance between what the building can accommodate and not being disrupting to those who are working.
AmherstWorks is a collaboration between Barry Roberts, who owns the 1920s-era building, and local developers Kyle Wilson and David Williams, the principals of Archipelago Investments.
Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.
