A SPACE MANILA is the biggest and coolest co-working space in the metro. Our company, Mercato Centrale, Manila’s biggest night food market organizer recently relocated to A SPACE and felt right at home.
Have you ever wondered how it feels to actually work in an unconventional space for innovative companies? A SPACE Manila aims to provide exactly that experience.
Here’s a photo essay of one awesome day in the life of a “Spacer”…
A SPACE Manila is located in the heart of Makati on Upper Legazpi Street–right across Greenbelt 5.
The entrance resembles a condominium lobby. A SPACE Manila occupies the 3rd, 5th, and 7th floors.
5TH FLOOR: CO-WORKING DAY LOUNGE
Upon entering, you’ll immediately feel the imaginative spirit of the workspace, ideal for companies in the creative industry.
The 5th floor is home to the CO-WORKING DAY LOUNGE, with a mix of workstations (from seated to stand-up), balconies with benches, swinging gravity chairs, actual swings in the garden, bean bags in the gallery, and stools at the bar.
This is my favorite place to hold intimate meetings and brainstorming sessions.
_Gallery is an art gallery and events venue good for 50-100+ people. It has hosted some incredibly diverse events–from an _ ACOUSTIC Stage for Fete de la Musqiue or Malasimbo, to the local launch of Aussie design gurus, Canva, Singaporean sensations, The Asian Parent, and transportation innovators, GrabCar. It’s also been the venue of the massive AngelHack weekend, a long list of Startup Grinds, meet-ups, exhibitions, and even a Foosball tournament.
I like the stimulating exhibits that change occasionally and provide a great backdrop for a quick huddle or impromptu meet-ups.
This is A SPACE HQ where you’ll find Rafael, the Community Attaché who manages the relationships with the different teams in A SPACE.
3RD FLOOR: CO-WORKING CLUB
Access to A SPACE is restricted by a fingerprint biometric system. The place is also full of beautiful and cool people like Gabby, the Marketing Pixie…
…and the A SPACE Manila team.
If you book for a year, you’ll get an HQ, which will be pimped for your brand/company.
The RCKSTR (read as “Rockstar”) room is the designated boardroom and the biggest conference room that can seat 10 people comfortably.
This is the 3rd floor Co-working Lounge for companies with longer term commitments with A SPACE.
Beside it is the CO-WORKING CLUB where you’ll be assigned your own simple workstation plus lockable storage, ideal for long term stays (1+ months; could also be for small groups of 2-4).
It’s actually nice to discover other awesome companies co-located in A SPACE.
The PHLSPHR (or “Philosopher”) room is a small common huddle room that can seat 6 people. Ideal for team meetings, especially if you need to focus on your creative agenda.
It’s not about the SQMs but about the People + Possibilities.
Here is the relaxing view from the pantry on the 3rd floor.
LUNCH, A SPACE STYLE
There’s free flowing coffee and tea in all the pantries.
You can relax and play foosball during lunch.
Small pantry but with cool artwork.
It’s also convenient to just go across to Greenbelt 5 Mall.
7th FLOOR: NEW FLOOR
The 7th floor is home to _Kitchen, which is perfect for a 40-person social mixer, a gourmet food demonstration, or a random informal gathering.
Every Tuesday, Mercato Centrale holds a taste test of those applying to all Mercato markets. Of course, it’s open to all Spacers.
Currently, we work in a space that gets filled up on Tuesdays for our company’s operations meeting.
It’s really a space for the millennial generation and companies who want to innovate to make a difference.
The 7th floor has these cute deconstructed features, like the 90 degree angle on the floor and color hex tags on the wall.
It feels good to be working in close proximity with other innovators in Manila.
I love working in these open workspace environments–with fast and reliable internet connection at that.
You’ll probably end up attending one of the hip sessions at _Gallery on most nights.
At first, we had a hard time adjusting from a traditional office space to the collaborative set up that A SPACE provides. But the end benefits of an energizing environment, being part of a community of cool people, and an engaging space made the transition worthwhile.
A SPACE Manila
Bldg. 110 Legazpi St., Legaspi Village
Operating Hours: 8.00 am – 8.00 pm
A SPACE to Locate + Thrive at Manila’s co-worker central. Living up to the 4 main personalities: ROCKSTAR, PHILOSOPHER, ARTISAN & FRANK.
A SPACE is full of PEOPLE, full of POSSIBILITIES. It’s not just about four walls and a door, or about parking spaces, and your feet. It’s about what you can do in the right context, with the right neighbors, and with powerful backing. A SPACE that grows with your collective imagination. A SPACE where one story leads to another, where walls collapse and minds collide. A SPACE is a journey with no forced itinerary. It’s up to you and your crew where to take it next.
For more info, visit www.aspacemanila.com
Live an Awesome Life,
Founder, www.OurAwesomePlanet.com
Disclosure: Mercato Centrale is part of the creative community at A Space Manila. I wrote this article with my biases, opinions, and insights. Read Our Awesome Planet Complete Disclosure Policy here.
P.S. If you’re also a creative startup, join us at A SPACE Manila to make it more fun!