Forgoing my $1.75 "rent" for a toasted bagel to sit at a cafe and write, I accepted an invitation last week to visit the hive at 55,one of the many shared work spaces for freelancers that have popped upduring our recession hangover. Fancy digs. Lounge. Conference room.Thirteen-story view of downtown Manhattan. I could get used to this.

With more laid-off and independent workers seeking an alternative todoing business at home, the number of co-working offices has increasedby 60% in the past year to more than 200 nationwide, according to SteveKing from the trendspotting firm Emergent Research.
Although not as cheap as a coffee shop, the fees are reasonable, thesurroundings more professional, and you're in like-minded company, Kingsaid. And Wi-Fi is free.

The hive at 55 opened Dec. 1. I spent the day there to see how theother pink-slipped half lived. Loved the cherry red couch, exposedceilings, free fax and copier, and free coffee. Prices range from $25for one day to $500 a month for 24/7 access-- close to the going ratein most big cities.

"The home office was wearing thin because I'm a social being," saidElizabeth Savage, a facilitator of books for the sight-impaired whomoved in recently.

Bill Aurnhammer, an iPhone application consultant, had worked at homefor eight years, complaining that the line between habitat and job hadblurred. Calvin Yee, an executive consultant, liked the value of histhree-day-a-month plan. "If you shake your couch hard enough, you'llfind $50," Yee said.

The hive at 55 is about 25% booked, estimated Daria Siegel, director ofthe facility. But the vacancy rate will likely shrink, as otherrecently established freelance sanctuaries have shown.

Office Nomads in Seattle opened in September and quicklyfilled about 60% of its desks each day, said Alexandra Kruse, Nomads'community cultivator. From urban planners to ornithologists, the"residence members" desire a social infrastructure foremost, she said.

"Most of these people have come to Office Nomads because coffee shopsweren't working as conference rooms and their kitchen table wasn'tfeeding their creativity," Kruse said.

Jerome Chang opened BlankSpacesin Los Angeles in April 2008. Enrollment has steadily risen since.Asked how he addresses the problem of loquacious co-workers, Changreplied, "We support white noise so that if only a couple of peoplespeak, it can be loud, but when many people speak, it's actually'quieter'." (The Hive, by the way, has "quiet rooms" or chatting andcell-squawking areas.)

Other companies are competing for independent workers on a much grander scale. Regusoffers 1,001 offices in 75 countries, including some locations atswanky metropolitan addresses. The company's website advertises globalaccess plans starting as low as $69 a month for shared space and $99 amonth for a private office. The rates go up from there depending onusage, location and a la carte requests, such as conference rooms.

Jeff Doughman, the central region vice president, said the companytypically caters to "road warriors." "We try to leverage our ubiquity,"he said.

Usually when I walk into a highrise with marble walls, I'm wearing a $5tie and I'm about to proofread insurance forms. Spending the day at aplace like the Hive made me feel like a big shot.

I think I'll go get a cup of that free coffee.

 Article by Ron Dicker