The Common: Serving the Communities Growing Demand for Shared Working Space

A new boutique co-working space recently opened in Downtown Squamish. The space serves as a brick and mortar office for local entrepreneurs and telecommuters to work from, while offering opportunities for collaboration, connection and networking.

The Common is the brainchild of Squamish resident, Peter Buchholz, who is also owner and operator of Yellow Duck Publications that produces The Lost Duck – Whistler What’s On Guide, and also hiking maps for Whistler and Squamish. As a solopreneur working from home himself, Peter says he was going a bit stir crazy and missed the support and community from other like-minded business leaders in Squamish, which Startup Squamish offered several years ago.

“It’s amazing how many innovative and talented people there are in the Squamish business community,” says Buchholz. “I wanted to provide a physical space where they can, not only get their work done in a inspiring office environment, but also connect, share ideas and build a support system with their peers. This isn’t just a stuffy office space, it’s a fun and creative atmosphere built for those who crave innovation and connection.”

Co-working spaces are on the rise globally. It is estimated that 1.2 million people will have been to a co-working office at least once by the end of 2017. The rapid population boom of Squamish, the rise of small businesses and startups in the community, and a growing number of mobile workers, mean that spaces like The Common are urgently needed in town, explains Buchholz.

The Common offers office space by membership on a part-time or full-time basis, with high-speed Wi-Fi, printer, coffee and other amenities that set itself apart from a coffee shop. There are a mixture of shared desks and private desks, with break-out spaces, a space to make private calls, a ‘library’ for those that need silence and focus, and a boardroom with conference phone and projector to serve the needs of day-to-day business, team meetings and collaboration.

The space is lean and agile, while accommodating both the working environment, as well as offering fun events outside of regular office hours for the wider community.

The space is has a boutique feel and unique Squamish charm. Local design and building team, Jose (also known as Pepe) and brother, Keven Da Cunha, have designed several wooden design features at The Common. The brothers recently designed Euphoria Natural Health and The Knotty Burl nightclub, and often use reclaimed and repurposed materials that pay homage to the community’s connection to nature and forestry.

With some amazing talent behind the project and making The Common a reality, a community is already building within the space to create some fantastic common connections!

“The only way you can succeed in business is by working alongside and learning from the experts”, says Buchholz. He credits the hard work and dedication of all those involved in the project to get it off the ground, and make his vision a reality.

As well as the De Cuhna brothers, he has also received support of Alex Moir (business development), Amber Turnau (Marketing – Substrate Studios), Quentin Emireau (social media), Jeff Andersen (Sea to Sky Signs), Paula De Jong (Squamish Adventure) and Meghan Zuvelek.

The Common is located at 38016 Cleveland Avenue in the old Pins and Peeples space, next to Xoco chocolate shop. Learn more about The Common by following them on Facebook and Instagram or visiting thewebsite at thecommon.io.