I toured an exclusive NYC club where freelancers, fashion influencers and entrepreneurs pay up to $1,250 a month to network in a stylish Tribeca building - and I didn't feel nearly cool enough to be there
I had trouble finding Spring Place because it's tucked away on St. Johns Lane, a tiny side street in Tribeca between Varick Street and 6th Avenue. Google Maps did not seem to want to direct me to the right spot.
After a few minutes of wandering around, I found the entrance, which struck me as unassuming yet sophisticated.
Source: Spring Place
The entryway was sleek and shiny, all black and gray tones. I was greeted by my tour guides, who showed me how to check in on an iPad, and then whisked me away to the elevator.
Source: Spring Place
Spring Place occupies three floors: the fifth through the seventh. Our first stop was the fifth floor, which has conference rooms of varying sizes that members can rent out.
Source: Spring Place
To become a member at Spring Place, you must submit an online application, which is then reviewed by a committee.
Source: Spring Place
Complimentary bottles of sparkling water were set out on tables for members. I resisted the urge to snatch one.
Source: Spring Place
The largest open area of the fifth floor is a co-working space where perhaps a dozen people were quietly working on their laptops when I walked in. Some people were dressed in suits, while others wore casual clothing and sneakers.
Source: Spring Place
The space was airy and bright thanks to the large windows lining one entire wall.
Source: Spring Place
Looking around, I saw a range of ages, but most people I saw appeared to be in their 20s or perhaps early 30s. A spokesperson told me 21% of members are under 30, 23% are between 30 and 35, and 32% are between 36 and 45.
Source: Spring Place
"The architecture and interiors of Spring Place are very clean, crisp, professional yet fun, perfect for getting creative juices flowing," she told Business Insider.
Source: Bianca Valle
"I would definitely renew my membership to surround myself with an artful environment, young professionals, and all around igniting vibe," Valle added.
Source: Bianca Valle
In the back corner of the room were sound-proofed phone booths for members to make calls. These seemed necessary because the main workspace was very quiet, with nobody talking on the phone or to each other.
Source: Spring Place
We went up to the sixth floor, and I immediately noticed a difference in sound levels. Young, fashionably dressed people were hanging out and talking at the bar and in the lounge area. It seemed to be a prime spot for socializing and perhaps also for casual business meetings.
Source: Spring Place
Spring Place members are 48% female and 52% male and most work in fashion, media and communications, or the luxury and consumer goods industries, according to a spokesperson for the club. I was secretly disappointed not to see anyone famous.
Source: Spring Place
The restaurant was in the process of being cleared out for a private event during my visit, but normally it's filled with dining tables, chairs, and benches in warm, neutral tones.
Source: Spring Place
On the other side of the restaurant was a room with a sunken seating area that seemed to be aiming for a swanky lounge vibe with its plush red wall-to-wall carpeting. But to me, it just seemed out of place and clashing with the rest of the space.
Source: Spring Place
Like the fifth floor, the seventh was more work-oriented than the social-focused sixth floor. There was a large, quiet room with a variety of comfortable-looking chairs and more soundproof phone booths.
Source: Spring Place
I was told that some of the rooms on this floor are private offices rented out by companies on a long-term basis.
Source: Spring Place
Spring Place has five types of memberships. The Local membership is $750 per month (or $450-$500 if you're under 30) and includes full access to all the workspaces, meeting rooms, and social areas.
Source: Spring Place
The Resident membership, which costs $1,250 per month, gives you your own dedicated desk. The Community membership allows access to meeting rooms and social areas but not to the workspaces for $3,000 a year, or $1,200 for under 30s.
Source: Spring Place
The Traveler membership, which is $2,400 for year, is for residents outside the tri-State area and allows them to access all social areas, workspaces, and events. Then there's the Community Traveler member, who can access meeting rooms and social areas, but not all workspaces, for $1,500 a year.
Source: Spring Place
Spring Place shares a building with its sister organization, Spring Studios, which hosts events that include New York Fashion Week shows, art exhibitions, and private and corporate parties.
Source: Spring Place
I didn't get to see the Spring Studios space, but we went up to Spring Place's expansive rooftop, where I was surprised to see hardly any other people on a warm early October day.
Source: Spring Place
The rooftop was full of lounge chairs, large plants, and small tables shaded by umbrellas.
Source: Spring Place
"The vibe is definitely very work-focused..." Rivera said. "Everyone I have met from the community is working on something that's very dear to them and I've realized how much I appreciate sharing a space with likeminded entrepreneurs and creatives."
Source: Babba C. Rivera
Spring Place is sometimes compared to Soho House, a members-only club with 20 houses around the world, including locations in New York, Miami, Los Angeles, London, Berlin, Barcelona, Chicago, and Amsterdam.
Source: Soho House
Soho House also targets creatives and has become a popular hang-out spot for celebrities.
Source: Financial Times
Rivera is also a member at Soho House and said she finds the two clubs to be very different. "Soho House to me is more a destination for a nice restaurant with cool people, but less great for working."
Source: Babba C. Rivera
Rivera said that while she appreciates the "fun vibe" of Soho House and its worldwide locations, she couldn't see herself running a business out of their club because it's too loud, dark, and it lacks services she needs such as conference rooms and proper desks.
Source: Babba C. Rivera
A Spring Place spokesperson shared a similar view of Spring. "Since its opening, [Spring Place] has developed a strong reputation for combining the hospitality of a private club with world-class professional office suites — for the perfect balance of workspace meets social club."
![A Spring Place spokesperson shared a similar view of Spring. "Since its opening, [Spring Place] has developed a strong reputation for combining the hospitality of a private club with world-class professional office suites — for the perfect balance of workspace meets social club."](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-66296991,width-700,height-525,imgsize-1166866/a-spring-place-spokesperson-shared-a-similar-view-of-spring-since-its-opening-spring-place-has-developed-a-strong-reputation-for-combining-the-hospitality-of-a-private-club-with-world-class-professional-office-suites-for-the-perfect-balance-of-workspace-meets-social-club-.jpg)
Source: Spring Place
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