Listen to this article

Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, alongside members of the Newark Community Economic Development Corp., recently opened 569 Martin Luther King Blvd., known as the Newark Foundry Workspaces, as the city’s newest coworking space for entrepreneurs and small businesses.

The property features two dozen units of workspace available immediately, and aims to allow small business development to flourish in the city.

“The launching of the Foundry is another step forward in the growth of Newark as a city, attracting entrepreneurs and the jobs that they create,” Baraka said. “This is the eighth shared space to open in Newark. We have a number of city and Newark Community Economic Development Corp. initiatives that encourage entrepreneurs and help them grow.”

The property, 569 Martin Luther King Blvd., was once a run-down former mansion. Through a partnership with All Renovation Construction and the DDBR Group, the Foundry was able to come to fruition. The 6,000-square-foot space was built as a “tech-charged” office, while maintaining the building’s historic hardwood floors and ornate crown molding.

“We are so proud to see reuse projects like these in Newark. Coworking spaces that are created out of underutilized spaces are rare and truly add a value to our neighborhoods,” Aisha Glover, acting CEO and president of the Newark Community EDC, said. “Newark Foundry Workspaces has tapped into the entrepreneurial community with eight local businesses who are leading in some of the fastest-growing and highest-need sectors.”

For the month of April, access to coworking space for individuals begins at $275 per month, before returning to its normal rate, $375. Private space for teams of up to six individuals starts at $800 per month.