We're needing a (writer's room) of our own in Chicago...help!
November 18, 2011 11:18 AM Subscribe
Where in Chicago should I look for a pleasant, airy, well-designed space for a single (very long) day for two writers needing a change of scenery to get some collaboration done?
My colleague and I are looking for a last minute collaboration space to write in, and it seems that those spaces are difficult to find quickly in Chi-town. We're able to pay for the space, but a hotel room (with big, space-hogging bed) isn't going to make us feel motivated and productive. Also, hotel rooms and B&B's (we've checked out AirBnB) have relatively early check out times. We're looking for an 8-10 hour stretch on a Sunday (unfortunately, this Sunday, which seems like short notice for many spaces).
NextDoor Cafe is booked. Catalyst Ranch (not my favorite, too "busy") is already booked for a wedding in all of their rooms.
Any other ideas? We're willing to travel a short distance outside of the city, but I'm coming up empty.
My colleague and I are looking for a last minute collaboration space to write in, and it seems that those spaces are difficult to find quickly in Chi-town. We're able to pay for the space, but a hotel room (with big, space-hogging bed) isn't going to make us feel motivated and productive. Also, hotel rooms and B&B's (we've checked out AirBnB) have relatively early check out times. We're looking for an 8-10 hour stretch on a Sunday (unfortunately, this Sunday, which seems like short notice for many spaces).
NextDoor Cafe is booked. Catalyst Ranch (not my favorite, too "busy") is already booked for a wedding in all of their rooms.
Any other ideas? We're willing to travel a short distance outside of the city, but I'm coming up empty.
can you contact any of the Chicago coworking places? Never actually used any of them (not sure how up-to-date it is), but would be one place to start.
posted by ejaned8 at 11:33 AM on November 18, 2011
posted by ejaned8 at 11:33 AM on November 18, 2011
I could list a number of great cafes and coffee houses where people go to be extremely productive, but it sounds like you're looking for solitude?
posted by joinks at 11:41 AM on November 18, 2011
posted by joinks at 11:41 AM on November 18, 2011
There are some excellent small meeting rooms at the Holiday Inn Chicago Mart Plaza that I have worked in before. Sometimes they'll set you up with a carafe of coffee, too. Give them a call.
posted by juniperesque at 11:42 AM on November 18, 2011
posted by juniperesque at 11:42 AM on November 18, 2011
You want Harper Library at the University of Chicago. It's big, airy, open, and very conducive to studying and working with others. Apparently they opened up a "commons" area since I've been there, which should be right up your alley. Also it's open all night. Also it will be filled with nerds.
The only caveat is that I'm not sure you can get in without a student ID. I know there's a day pass system at the bigger library (or at least there used to be), but I don't know quite how it works. Definitely give them a call and see, because it's absolutely gorgeous.
There's also the the winter garden (9th floor) at the Harold Washington Library Center, which is also large and awesome. The hours are only 1-5 on Sundays, though.
posted by phunniemee at 12:06 PM on November 18, 2011 [1 favorite]
The only caveat is that I'm not sure you can get in without a student ID. I know there's a day pass system at the bigger library (or at least there used to be), but I don't know quite how it works. Definitely give them a call and see, because it's absolutely gorgeous.
There's also the the winter garden (9th floor) at the Harold Washington Library Center, which is also large and awesome. The hours are only 1-5 on Sundays, though.
posted by phunniemee at 12:06 PM on November 18, 2011 [1 favorite]
Harold Washington, as well as other branches, I'm sure, also has meeting rooms available.
posted by Terminal Verbosity at 12:18 PM on November 18, 2011
posted by Terminal Verbosity at 12:18 PM on November 18, 2011
If you've a car or don't mind taking the train, the relatively newly-built Elgin Public Library has some very nice private study rooms.
posted by sarajane at 12:19 PM on November 18, 2011
posted by sarajane at 12:19 PM on November 18, 2011
DePaul's downtown campus at State & Jackson has a lovely airy library, but I also am not sure if you need a student ID to use it. I can't imagine that anyone would kick you out if you snuck in - I mean, accidentally walked in - without showing id, but I haven't been a student there in a few years, so it's possible things have changed.
You could also just wander around the building and try to find an open classroom.
posted by SuperSquirrel at 12:26 PM on November 18, 2011
You could also just wander around the building and try to find an open classroom.
posted by SuperSquirrel at 12:26 PM on November 18, 2011
Many of our park fieldhouses will have well-designed airy spaces with nice views. (Humboldt Park. Pulaski Park and Sherman Park.) How pleasant might depend on who else is hanging out there too, or if there's a loud basketball game going on in the gym next door. There's got to be a way to reserve a room or at least find out if someone's booked a wedding the same day.
posted by hydrophonic at 2:09 PM on November 18, 2011
posted by hydrophonic at 2:09 PM on November 18, 2011
North Park University has a huge, sun-lit airy lobby. I take my daughter there for a test prep class every Sunday. I know it is usually open about 9-10 am for the first session of the classes, and I pick her up after 3. So that's 6 hours there. There are usually basketball games too, so you might the the 8-10 you are looking for. There is the ocassional student walking by, or a parent or two who come and wait for the kids, but other than that is is deserted. It's at Foster and Kedzie. Maybe I'll see you there!
posted by timsteil at 2:30 PM on November 18, 2011
posted by timsteil at 2:30 PM on November 18, 2011
I've had great experiences using the COOP, a co-working space in Chicago. On occasion it can be loud, but often it is quiet.
For more Chicago co-working options, you might check out Desktime
posted by dgc at 2:40 PM on November 18, 2011
For more Chicago co-working options, you might check out Desktime
posted by dgc at 2:40 PM on November 18, 2011
Harold Washington Library. If you can't book a meeting room, try the winter garden on the 9th floor. It's a public space but no one ever uses it. It's huge and airy and sun-filled, with just about 10 tables.
posted by Jason and Laszlo at 7:22 AM on November 19, 2011
posted by Jason and Laszlo at 7:22 AM on November 19, 2011
Response by poster: Just wanted to circle back around to (once again) sing the praises of the Metafilter Community. After I posted this question, I began researching the answers contributed here (and they were excellent suggestions, thanks folks!)
In the meantime, up pops this message in Mefi mail from fellow Chicago Mefite, Tchad. He very, VERY generously offered to rent us his amazing space in Uptown for a reasonable fee for as long as we needed it on Sunday.
Now, let me tell you about this cool space. First, the photos of the space that Tchad has on his blog does not begin to do it justice. It is--flat out--one of the coolest studio spaces I've ever been in (scroll all the way down). A huge, elegant, warm space that was more like a welcoming canvas than a studio. He built it out BY HIMSELF and teaches sewing there. He's a designer, an artist, a DIY'er, and a lover of educational philosophy and classic languages. He met us bright and early at 8 a.m., set us up with the Wifi, advised us on where to go for lunch, explained how the building worked, and disappeared. We stayed enveloped in this warm, bright studio for 12 hours, writing all over his white board walls, pacing and brainstorming and sketching and writing. It was one of the most productively creative days I think I've ever spent in a space.
I received Tchad's permission to brag about his space here because I wanted to call out his generosity as a fellow Mefite, and also to let other Mefites know that he is currently making plans to selectively make his studio available for events like these and other events related to the arts, learning, etc.
So, Tchad, thank you again. If this book gets off of the ground, you will be acknowledged there as well. In the meantime, I hope we left enough creative karma to replace what we borrowed from you yesterday.
posted by jeanmari at 8:40 AM on November 21, 2011 [3 favorites]
In the meantime, up pops this message in Mefi mail from fellow Chicago Mefite, Tchad. He very, VERY generously offered to rent us his amazing space in Uptown for a reasonable fee for as long as we needed it on Sunday.
Now, let me tell you about this cool space. First, the photos of the space that Tchad has on his blog does not begin to do it justice. It is--flat out--one of the coolest studio spaces I've ever been in (scroll all the way down). A huge, elegant, warm space that was more like a welcoming canvas than a studio. He built it out BY HIMSELF and teaches sewing there. He's a designer, an artist, a DIY'er, and a lover of educational philosophy and classic languages. He met us bright and early at 8 a.m., set us up with the Wifi, advised us on where to go for lunch, explained how the building worked, and disappeared. We stayed enveloped in this warm, bright studio for 12 hours, writing all over his white board walls, pacing and brainstorming and sketching and writing. It was one of the most productively creative days I think I've ever spent in a space.
I received Tchad's permission to brag about his space here because I wanted to call out his generosity as a fellow Mefite, and also to let other Mefites know that he is currently making plans to selectively make his studio available for events like these and other events related to the arts, learning, etc.
So, Tchad, thank you again. If this book gets off of the ground, you will be acknowledged there as well. In the meantime, I hope we left enough creative karma to replace what we borrowed from you yesterday.
posted by jeanmari at 8:40 AM on November 21, 2011 [3 favorites]
This thread is closed to new comments.
- public libraries
- community centres
- college or university meeting rooms (these tend not to be very airy, granted)
Some hotels also have meeting or conference rooms, which may be more motivating than a room with a minibar and a bed, but probably also expensive and usually not pleasant or airy.
posted by looli at 11:25 AM on November 18, 2011 [1 favorite]