Link Locale Opens New Coworking Space in Clarendon

Link Locale, a new coworking space, opened Monday in the heart of Clarendon.

The business, which occupies two-thirds of the upper-floor of the Wells Fargo building at 3140 N. Washington Blvd., can house up to 20 entrepreneurs, freelancers, teleworkers and the like in its main area. Another 11 desks can be found to one side and at least two enclosed offices will be on the market. Four standing desks are soon to be installed.

"By all indications, we're getting a very positive response," said company founder Mark Mooney. "We've had a lot of people stopping by, just by leaking the word out. It's been a very warm response from the community."

Monthly rates for space at Link Locale range from $375 to $575. Daily membership, if space permits, is currently $30. A conference room that holds 20 seats (plus more people standing) is $300 for a day, with discounts available for frequent use. Accommodations can be made so a single company can rotate people in the same space — a three-man business using a single desk on different days, for instance.

Mooney said he'd had the idea for several years, and it recently came to fruition when he realized how hard it was for a small company to find affordable space.

"It's really just responding to a demand — and securing our future in the building," he said.

Link Locale is located within walking distance from the Clarendon Metro and George Mason University's Arlington campus. The team said they're looking for progressive-minded individuals who want to have an impact in their community.

The new Clarendon venture also plans a series of occasional seminars — some strictly for its members, others open to the general public. General office services will also be available.

Link Locale is anchored by NeoNiche Strategies, a communications and marketing firm that shares much of its personnel with Link Locale — including Mooney as CEO. NeoNiche counts among its clients Arlington County Commuter Services.

Though some of the paint was still drying Monday, several people have expressed interest and have all but signed paperwork to start using their new space, said Stan Calvert with NeoNiche.

Calvert said he hopes renovations will be finished by the first of the year.

Link Locale is the latest in the emerging network of coworking ventures that have sprouted in the Rosslyn-Ballston corridor. In Rosslyn, UberOffices is less than a year old and already looking at expansion.

"Arlington is a hub of startup activity, and we're excited to support entrepreneurs within our community. Coworking ventures like Link Locale provide the perfect opportunity for these small companies to incubate and grow in a mutually beneficial collaborative environment," Jennifer Ives, director of business investment at Arlington Economic Development, said in a statement.