Switchyards Opens New Chicago Coworking Locations
Hybrid workers in Lincoln Park and Fulton Market gain new neighborhood work hubs as local memberships sell out.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Remote Work
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Switchyards has expanded its footprint in Chicago by opening new coworking locations in Lincoln Park and Fulton Market. The spaces serve hybrid and gig workers, with memberships selling out within hours of the October 26, 2026, launch.
Why it matters
The company targets residential neighborhoods rather than central business districts to provide a 'third space' for remote employees. This strategy specifically captures the 90 percent of its members who have never used traditional coworking spaces.
Switchyards currently operates 41 locations nationwide, with memberships priced at $129 for month-to-month access or $100 per month for annual plans. The rapid sell-out of the new Chicago sites highlights strong local demand for neighborhood-based remote work hubs.
The players
Switchyards
A coworking operator that manages 41 nationwide sites focusing on small-scale, residential neighborhood workspaces.
The details
Switchyards operates compact coworking spaces comparable to the size of a coffee shop, designed to accommodate a limited membership count. Each location provides 24/7 access to amenities including Wi-Fi, coffee, tea, stroopwafels, and soundproof phone booths. By prioritizing residential neighborhoods, the company offers a quiet alternative for remote workers who otherwise occupy home offices or public cafes.
Timeline
June 2026: The Logan Square location opened to the public.
October 22, 2026: Memberships for the new locations sold out.
October 26, 2026: Lincoln Park and Fulton Market locations opened.
Market Landscape
The expansion follows the broader shift toward hybrid and remote work, moving beyond central business district demand. Switchyards differentiates itself from large-scale corporate coworking providers by prioritizing small, localized footprints in residential areas.
Operators and entrepreneurs should monitor whether the neighborhood-centric model effectively replaces coffee shops as a primary workspace for remote staff. Business owners looking for satellite team space should evaluate if these limited-membership, high-amenity hubs provide better cost-efficiency than traditional office leases.
The takeaway
Switchyards success in Chicago suggests a strong market preference for hyper-local work environments over central office hubs. Operators should track the conversion rate of their own remote teams to these smaller 'third spaces' as a potential way to lower overhead while maintaining employee productivity.
Further reading
For more on evolving office dynamics, see Remote Work.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Block Club Chicago.
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