MKDA partnered with Industrious to deliver a 22,501-square-foot coworking environment at 1900 Broadway, shaping a hospitality-inspired workplace rooted in the artistic energy of the Upper West Side. Drawing inspiration from nearby Lincoln Center and the layered drama of performance, the space prioritizes immersive communal lounges at the front of the house, while positioning private suites and focused work areas deeper within the plan to ensure privacy and discretion. This layered approach creates a coworking destination that balances elevated shared amenities with practical, move-in-ready workplace performance.
The program is structured to support a diverse range of member needs within a cohesive framework. Reception, a centrally positioned pantry/café, a dedicated work lounge, and a quieter work library anchor the shared experience and serve as the primary spaces accessible to all members. These intimate and welcoming environments provide freelancers and solo entrepreneurs with a polished, inspiring base, while private suites offer small teams a professional setting that is fully built, amenity-rich, and immediately operational.
Enclosed offices — including 11 single-person offices, 37 shared offices accommodating two to eight occupants, and 2 bookable suites — establish a clear and flexible leasing structure. The project team also integrated 7 conference rooms, 12 phone booths, a wellness room, and supporting amenities to ensure convenient access from both shared and enclosed zones. Circulation remains intuitive, with framed openings and ceiling transitions subtly distinguishing immersive lounges from more work-focused corridors. Careful coordination of partitions, millwork, lighting, and building systems supports long-term adaptability while preserving the experiential emphasis of the shared core.
Inspired by the theatrical character of the Upper West Side and the nearby performance venues of Lincoln Center, the design establishes a sense of rhythm and layered reveal. Architectural framing and controlled material transitions guide members through a sequence of distinct yet connected environments, echoing the layered progression of a stage set. Rich textures, soft lighting, and a refined palette bring warmth and depth to the coworking experience, reflecting the timeless elegance of the surrounding neighborhood.
Deep navy and teal tones define the shared lounges, where carpeting and black-painted open ceilings create a more intimate atmosphere. These spaces evoke the quiet sophistication of a private reading room, encouraging both focused work and informal collaboration. Textured finishes — including roman clay paint, patterned wallcoverings, and walnut millwork — add visual depth, and decorative lighting builds moments of subtle drama that feel both inspiring and elevated.
As members move toward reception and primary corridors, oak flooring and lighter ceiling conditions introduce warmth and visual openness, while stone flooring at the café grounds the bar area and signals a shift in function. These transitions from dark to light, soft to hard, and enclosed to open establish cadence across the floorplate, concentrating architectural richness within the communal areas as private office zones remain more restrained.
