142. Larry Serota: Case Studies on Creating Purpose-Built-Ecosystems

Welcome to the Everything Coworking Podcast episode number 142

Today’s guest is Larry Serota, Executive Managing Director and Board Member at Transwestern

We talk about:

The Flexibility Trade-Off: Industry Ecosystems Provide Benefits Over Conventional Co-Working Models

Tell us a little about you personally and professionally.
What ignited your interest in coworking/flexible office?
Let’s talk about your recent article: The Flexibility Trade-Off: Industry Ecosystems Provide Benefits Over Conventional Co-Working Models
What does the broad coworking landscape look like today in Chicago?
Share with us some case studies of the Industry Ecosystem model that you’ve partnered with clients to develop.
1. Civic Exchange at 233 N. Michigan Ave. in Chicago, a co-working space and learning community centered on how news, information and technology can further democracy and freedom
2. Another is the FBRK Impact House located at 200 W. Madison St. in Chicago. Led by former Chicago Bear-turned-entrepreneur Israel Idonije, FBRK has engaged our advisory and consultancy services to open the first FBRK Impact House. Slated for delivery in March 2020, the 45,000-square-foot, shared workspace is designed to influence, accelerate and advance the world of philanthropy by housing family foundations and grant makers together under one roof.
3. Literacenter is comprised of 50,000 rentable square feet that blends a bookstore, offices, workstations and conference rooms. Transwestern handled everything from strategic planning to lease negotiation to coordination of donations for the space build-out
How do you identify clients that have this shared vision?
Your role in creating these ecosystems in these case studies goes well beyond the traditional tenant rep relationship. Talk about that mindset and approach.
What are the biggest challenges in creating these ecosystems?
What advice would you give to other communities in pursuing this model?