Projects has just opened its new coworking space on Crescent Road. Eileen Leahy was invited along to meet the team ahead of the official opening to discover more about the business’s ethos, its plans for Tunbridge Wells and why it believes the future of work is all about community, collaboration and creating spaces people genuinely want to spend time in…
It’s a sunny yet crisp autumnal morning when I arrive at the new Projects coworking space, located right in the heart of Tunbridge Wells. I’ve driven past the 60s style brick building at 11-12 Crescent Road, which sits just opposite Hotel du Vin, hundreds of times but never really taken any notice of it – until now.
The once rather drab office block has had an impressive facelift courtesy of Projects. In addition to the smart external wooden panelling, there’s also eye-catching signage and a new entrance complete with state-of-the-art security and lighting.
Inside, the design is nothing short of exceptional. The open-plan reception and coworking areas are beautifully appointed – think statement globe lighting, marble detailing on countertops and flooring, supple faux-leather armchairs and hundreds of verdant living plants.
The business has also invested heavily in technology and a pleasing infrastructure which makes the most of the natural light and acoustics to make working here as enjoyable as possible.
When I sit down to chat with Projects’ Managing Director Alex Young, one of the first things she tells me is that a thoughtfully and aesthetically designed space is key to Projects’ ethos.
“We wanted to create somewhere that feels elevated, inspiring and premium, but also calm and welcoming. We believe the spaces we work in have a huge influence on how we think, feel and perform, so every Projects building is designed with real care and aesthetic intention,” she explains.
This is Projects’ third location. The company opened its first premises in a Grade II-listed townhouse in The Lanes, Brighton, in 2018 and four years later acquired Nile House, a huge five-storey workspace.
In all of the business’s properties there is a mix of stylish coworking areas, private offices, meeting rooms and kitchenettes. Nile House has the added appeal of a rooftop terrace and an event space, named The Globe. To date, Projects boasts an impressive 3,000 members across Brighton.
Offices available for teams at the new Tunbridge Wells site range from three to 100 desks over four storeys, so there is ample room for many freelancers, start-ups, SMEs and larger businesses.
Founded nearly 10 years ago by Christos Demetriou, who is also Company Director, the principal aim was to create coworking environments that were not only aesthetically and thoughtfully designed, but also provide spaces where communities could grow and thrive and where Projects’ members could collaborate.
“We wanted to create something that felt less like a traditional office and more like a place people genuinely wanted to spend their day,” adds Alex.
Ever since Projects announced it was coming to Tunbridge Wells, the level of interest and excitement from people has been unprecedented, says Alex.
“We have had hundreds of requests from businesses, both large and small, who want to come in and have a look around.”
And sure enough, during our cover shoot, a few team members momentarily disappear to do tours of the building, such is the demand from businesses of all sizes.
Alex says she’d love for the new coworking space to be full within a year and, to date, that trajectory is going well, as almost 40 per cent of the offices have now been taken – even before they have officially opened.
“We identified a target list of towns and cities, predominantly in the South East, where we felt there would be a real benefit from having a space like ours. And we chose Tunbridge Wells because it has a reputation for having lots of creative businesses and a really strong support network.
“We focus on creating design-led spaces with a premium and inspiring feel, but it is equally important to us that we go into an area where there’s a warm, established community that is open to collaboration. The business believes that great workplaces are defined as much by the people you meet as the desk you sit at.
“We don’t design our spaces to be simply about work. We want people to connect with others, enjoy their working lives and feel part of something.”
Alex adds that ultimately she and her team want to provide ‘a home for people who want to grow their businesses’.
“We have created somewhere they will be proud to work from and that also represents who they are. During the creation of 11–12 Crescent Road, we have ensured we make the most of the natural light that floods into the building and that the acoustics are just right. We want people to walk in and immediately think: ‘Oh, I really like it here.’ It should always just feel right.”
As well as the stunning interiors, which boast a gorgeous colour palette of natural tones and myriad textures, the ways in which people work have been really thought through.
There are numerous meeting rooms, open-plan offices, breakout areas, professional presentation spaces and quiet booths, where individuals can take private phone and video calls. There’s even a Stretch Studio, which will offer members free yoga and Pilates classes every week.
Alex has also negotiated some great day rates in the nearby Crescent Road car park and points out that the whole building is wheelchair accessible.
So far, so impressive, but Alex admits that it’s the team that is at the heart of every Projects venture.
“They play a huge part in our success. They know our members by name, understand their businesses, make everyone feel welcome and support members in building a genuine community.”
Reflecting on the new on-site appointments in Tunbridge Wells, Alex tells me she is ‘absolutely delighted’ that Morgan and Bonnie, who feature on our cover this month, will be at the Crescent Road premises full-time.
“They are really great and are very excited about working here. They are both local too, which helps.”
Alex says she and Projects’ Brand Manager Alana Harris and Matt Miller, who is Head of Sales – both of whom are also on our shoot today – will hopscotch between the Brighton offices and Tunbridge Wells to ensure everything runs smoothly.
Alex continues, saying that, just like their other ventures, Tunbridge Wells will appeal to businesses of all sizes and sectors.
“Our communities are incredibly diverse. We welcome everyone from freelancers to start-ups, established businesses and SMEs. You can even apply for a day pass if you’re not ready to commit full-time. There are options for everyone here. We even have an office that can accommodate up to 100 people on our top floor. Ideally, it would be great for one company to take it, but it can easily be split into two.”
And just like the Brighton sites, Alex and her team are hoping for lots of organic collaboration between members – whatever industry they might work in.
“It’s a great ecosystem to have freelancers, small businesses, entrepreneurs and larger organisations all under one roof. We’ve had so many examples of members collaborating, which has been great for everyone. It creates so many possibilities, with people bouncing ideas off one another and bringing different perspectives and mindsets.”
It’s worth noting that Projects is a B Corp business and has been accredited for three years.
“In Brighton, we’ve seen more and more businesses wanting to be based in our spaces because they know we take our environmental and carbon footprint seriously, as well as our policies around staff wellbeing and charity engagement. And they want to align themselves with those values.”
Alex informs me that the team runs events to mark B Corp Month every March, and that they’re looking forward to bringing that to Tunbridge Wells.
“The building is fully powered by green energy, and the business has a plan in place to achieve net zero by 2030. We’re currently working with an excellent energy consultant to help us achieve that,” smiles Alex.
Each of the four floors boasts different zoned areas so that throughout the day members can choose the type of working and social environment that suits them best.
“We want to encourage people to move around, interact with others and get into a different frame of mind for different types of work. Sometimes simply changing your surroundings can change your perspective,” explains Alex.
“If you’re hosting someone for a meeting, for example, you might want to sit in one of our lounge spaces. There are quieter areas if you need to concentrate, traditional hot-desking areas with ergonomic chairs if you want to settle in for the day, and a café-style breakout space that works well for breakfast, lunch or simply having a coffee and conversation.”
On that note, Alex says there will be a communal drop-in breakfast every Tuesday for members between 8.30am and 9.30am as well as monthly After Hours drinks and lots of events.
“We’ll work with a local caterer for our breakfasts and from January we will be liaising with our members here to help shape an events programme. There will also be the opportunity for them to help us pick a charity of the year too.
“In Brighton, we run talks and workshops on everything from sustainability and mental health to neurodiversity in the workplace. We always keep subject matters really diverse and encourage our members to suggest things they want to learn about or even put on themselves.
“I think our Tunbridge Wells members will really get behind this.”
Alex readily admits there are already some fantastic coworking spaces operating in town and the idea is not to be in competition but to collaborate.
“I genuinely mean it when I say that if we want our members to be collaborative, then we also have to act in the same way.
“We do that in Brighton by promoting other spaces and working with them, making sure that anyone looking for a workspace finds the right fit. I feel what we’re offering is more of a lifestyle option. I know that won’t necessarily work for everyone, but I think there is a gap in the market for that, so we are here to fill it.”
Alex reveals that she and her colleagues have already been to lots of local networking events in order to meet people in person.
“I’m keen not to say that we’re going to ‘build a community’, because there already is a very established one – we simply want to be part of that.”
After operating two very successful Projects spaces in Brighton and now one here in Tunbridge Wells, what’s Alex’s key message on Projects’ ethos?
“Well, we have been doing this for nearly 10 years now, and we’ve certainly learned from any mistakes we have made. But I think ultimately, we just want to make people’s day-to-day lives easier and more enjoyable. Whether that’s having really lovely, locally sourced small-batch coffee on tap to our staff chatting to a visitor if you’re running late. Or it could be simply being able to plug in one wire so a member’s screen and camera connect effortlessly. Nothing is a problem for us.
“We all have so much going on in our lives; the last thing you need is someone getting stressed because something isn’t working. We want to create a place where local businesses can grow together, and that’s why our people, both members and staff, are so important. We want people to come in, feel comfortable, inspired and simply enjoy being here.
“We’ve seen in Brighton how bringing ambitious people together creates opportunities, partnerships and long-term business growth. We’ve supported members from two-person start-ups to companies employing more than 20 people, and it’s incredibly rewarding to be part of that journey.”
Once our chat is over, it’s time to leave this incredible space and its really lovely team – but not before Alex tells me one last thing:
“We’re not arriving to change Tunbridge Wells. We’re here because we admire what’s already been created and want to contribute to its continued success.”
I have every faith that Projects will do exactly that…
Projects Tunbridge Wells, 11–12 Crescent Road, TN1 2LU
01273 284124
www.workatprojects.co.uk/tunbridge-wells
Instagram: @workatprojectsuk
LinkedIn: @workatprojectsuk
