CoCreate KC Caters Co-Working Space to Creative Professionals

By Kevin Collison

A new co-working space that’s geared toward independent professionals in the advertising, public relations, web design and social media world has opened at 3238 Gillham Rd.

CoCreate KC is the creation of advertising veterans Jan Creidenberg, Brad Lang and Matt Anthony, the former CEO of VML. It’s intended to be a place where members can either do their own thing or collaborate on occasion for projects managed by BrandWell Partners.

BrandWell Partners is a business and brand strategy consultant agency formed by the three men earlier this year. The firm also has its offices in the CoCreate space.

“Kansas City has a vibrant advertising community,” Lang said. “There’s a wealth of talent in the area and a lot of them have chosen to go freelance.

“This is not just a co-working space. We see it as a collaborative space, people who need each other to do good work and could be our partners at BrandWell as well.”

CoCreate is located on the first level of a two-level building that formerly housed Artists for the Homeless. The upper floor is still used for artist studios.

The CoCreate space is geared towards independent professionals in creative fields including advertising, public relations and web design.

The 3,000 square-foot first level has been renovated to include 12 dedicated sit/stand desks for co-working that include a lockable cabinet where they can keep their stuff. There are conference rooms, a coffee bar and kitchen, and a pool table to unwind.

The $399 monthly rent includes unlimited printing, access to the conference rooms, parking, 24/7 access and all the coffee you can drink.

The partners believe the concept will be popular with creatives including copy writers, art directors, designers, web developers, public relations professionals and media planners.

BrandWell Partners envision CoCreate as a synergistic venture, where they can tap into the pool of independent talent sharing their space.

“For each client assignment, we can put together a team and have people come in and out,” Lang said. “We can assemble a team of veteran people more cost-effectively than the traditional model.”

CoCreate is located in the North Hyde Park area on the south edge of greater downtown, and is next door to the Acme3two apartment redevelopment project at 3200 Gillham Rd. being done by Exact Partners.

CoCreate is located at 3238 Gillham Rd. in the North Hyde Park neighborhood on the south edge of greater downtown.