Cube Cleveland opens downtown flex office space

by John Benson

The U.S. Census Bureau reported that in 2017 there were 5.2 percent of Americans – or eight million people – working from home. That figure marks an increase from 5 percent in 2016 and 3.3 percent in 2000.

Working from home has its benefits, but there are a few drawbacks, such as what to do when business requires an office or meeting space.

That’s where Cube Cleveland’s workspaces come into play, offering casual, quiet, no-commitment office space – with 24/7 access and fiber internet – to freelancers, professionals, consultants, programmers, lawyers and remote workers.

“From the user end, it’s pretty seamless,” Cube Cleveland Manager Roy Elmaliach said. “Say your kids are bothering you or you need a flex office space or have to meet a client, we’re an easy option instead of going to a coffee shop.

“There are a lot of reasons, but once you pick one of our options, you pay for it online, get a code and go use the space at any of the locations we have.”

Members can pay by the day or by the month, sit in a cubicle or a private room and meet clients in a closed meeting room. The Northeast Ohio chain boasts multiple locations, with a brand-new Hudson site recently opened in the Evaporator Works, 51 South Main St.

“Hudson is just an awesome neighborhood,” Elmaliach said. “We like the location. We like the complex. Our concept is to open next to other businesses.

“We’re not just opening for the sake of opening in a remote area where you have to climb stairs to get to the space. We want to be next to coffee shops and areas. So the Hudson location is perfect for us.”

Started seven years ago with its first flex office space in Cleveland Heights, Cube Cleveland has expanded to Mentor, Lakewood, Solon, downtown Cleveland, Avon Lake and Woodmere.

“There’s always a need for our services,” Elmaliach said. “It’s a booming industry. We’re also opening soon in Strongsville. We discovered there is a great need focused on different neighborhood use.”

Costs range from $29.99 a day to $350 per month for a full-time user. There are also other tailored options such as the drifter plan for $129 a month, where users can use any location for two hours a day or the after-hours plan for $125, allowing use between 5 p.m. and 8 a.m. during the week with weekends free.

“I can tell you we’re very popular with freelancers and lawyers, but we also have insurance people,” Elmaliach said. “Because we provide a very detailed needs-based use, so people that you would never think need it, sometimes need it. It could be a teacher who just needs to work for a few hours.

“We’re more focused on momentary single use where you just need to accomplish something. Think of Cube Cleveland as an enhanced Starbucks.”

Featured image photo caption: Cube Cleveland Manager Roy Elmaliach (center) cuts the ribbon for the grand opening of the office-for-rent space in the Evaporator Complex with Hudson City Council President William Wooldredge (l) and Economic Development Director Jim Stifler. Photo courtesy of the Hudson Chamber of Commerce.