About CWRK Collective

It all started in 2017

I couldn’t find the balance between spending too much time at the café and never leaving home. 

After working remotely for six years, I missed having a place to go to feel the energy of collaboration and the buzz of life happening around me – people working. 

Don’t get me wrong - I love working from home. Sometimes, I need to get out of the house. 

CWRK Collective was founded in 2017 after I visited a coworking office in Downtown Chicago while on a work trip.

This was the solution to the problem of –

1. feeling awkward asking for another free refill on the cup of coffee I ordered an hour earlier and,

2. feeling like the only time I left my house and had human interaction was at the grocery store.

Our first location was 209 ½ East Hughitt Street – a walk-up above the former Savage Mane Salon. Liz Douglas took a chance on my idea and rented the upper-level apartment. This was our proof-of-concept phase. 

You liked us, you really liked us…

except Location, Location, Location…

We were not accessible. This was a significant issue. 

In the fall of 2019, we moved to a larger office space across the street. Then the pandemic. Our loyal clientele stuck with us and had the opportunity to move to our new location in the winter of 2021-2022. 

Our current location is in what one member calls, The Skyscraper of Iron Mountain. It is a historic building with a great view. Don’t worry – the suite is newly renovated to provide a modern work environment. 

Another member describes it as offering an urban vibe for people that find themselves in the northwoods and want to feel like they aren't totally off the grid. 

If you find yourself looking for some office buzz while you are in the area, we would love to meet you!

Elsa Pontbriand, owner