Working remotely is an ideal way to reduce or eliminate your commute and make your schedule much more flexible. It allows people to supervise themselves and be more independent, and it lets companies save on office space, managers, computer equipment, and more. Digital technologies make it easier than ever, but remote work can be difficult for people living with roommates, kids, pets, and other distractions.
Instead of working from home, choose another spot with plenty of amenities. You’ll be able to get some fresh air every day and choose a change of scenery whenever you feel like it. Here are some of the best places to work remotely in Chicago.
1. Marshall’s Landing
At Marshall’s Landing, you can work in a luxurious atmosphere with designer furniture and delicious food and drinks. There’s plenty of space, and you can enjoy a salad, some hummus, avocado toast, chicken lettuce wraps, or homemade potato chips. If you feel like a cocktail but you’re not done with your work, enjoy a honey lemonade with honey syrup and soda or a ginger pear punch with ginger, pear, lemon, and lime.
This business is on the second floor of theMART, formerly called The Merchandise Mart. The iconic building is the world’s largest commercial building and design center, and it has a stunning view of the river. There’s also a salon, several more restaurants, a post office, a health club, and more in the building. With these amenities, running errands on your lunch break is easy.
Marshall’s Landing is open on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. You can visit the coffee bar from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., and the restaurant serves food from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
2. The Harold Washington Library Center
This is the largest library in Chicago, and it has more than 1.2 million books, CDs, movies, and other materials. Wi-Fi and scanning are free, and you can use one of the computers if you have a library card. Printing costs $0.15 per page, but there’s no color printer. Disposable headphones are available, and there’s plenty of comfortable seating.
The Winter Garden is on the ninth floor, and it has a beautiful glass roof that lets in natural light all year. Covered drinks are allowed, and no reservations are needed. Music practice rooms with pianos and over 40,000 volumes of printed music are available as well.
The Harold Washington Library Center is ideal for people who need to do research while they’re working or get some inspiration. It displays art from more than 50 artists in a variety of mediums and styles, and its Maker Lab has 3D printers. You can work at the library from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and it closes at 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday. It’s open Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m.
3. Brooklyn Boulders
If you want to exercise but don’t have a lot of free space in your schedule, this coworking space and gym in the West Loop area is ideal. Brooklyn Boulders has free Wi-Fi, couches, desks, locker rooms, and showers. The 25,000-square-foot space has fitness equipment among the office stuff. For example, bars for pull-ups are above many of the standing desks. There’s a large climbing wall with instructors available, and you can choose from a variety of group fitness classes, including yoga.
With a membership, you can exercise easily during lunch, other breaks, or phone calls, and getting in shape will be simple without an annoying commute to go to the gym. Brooklyn Boulders is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from noon to 9 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday starting at 7 a.m. and ending at 9 p.m.; and weekends from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The staff cleans often with disinfectant, and people should bring their own drinks and climbing gear to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission.
4. Capital One Cafe
This Capital One bank branch has a Peet’s Coffee cafe and a trendy, luxurious atmosphere. Upstairs, you’ll find additional workspace with plenty of comfortable seats, free Wi-Fi, and power outlets.
Capital One Cafe Ambassadors work as tellers and help answer all of your banking and financial questions. They can assist you with doing your taxes and making other decisions, and free appointments are available. If you have a Capital One card, you’ll get 50% off coffee, tea, and snacks. However, some seating areas could be closed temporarily because of COVID-19. The Capital One Cafe is open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays and on weekends from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
5. Freehand Chicago
This fashionable hotel has free Wi-Fi, a coffee shop, a gym, and a first floor that looks like it could be in a James Bond film. You can work on comfortable couches or desks, and breakfast and lunch are available. The menu changes often, so it’s easy to find new dishes to try. There’s a human-sized Jenga game to help you stay entertained during breaks, and you can enjoy a cocktail after work.
To help your company’s employees work remotely and increase your business’s efficiency, contact Dom & Tom. We can develop custom software for your organization.