Collaborative spaces that unify artists, entrepreneurs, students, young professionals and other members of the public exude a palpable vibrancy that strengthens communities and inspires socialization. Built environments that combine the best qualities of community spaces, such as dining, music, art and performance opportunities, propel our society forward—which is why Scott Plank has a passion for exploring that opportunity by overseeing the innovative development of collaborative community spaces across the country. WeWork, the collaborative workspace pioneer that is expanding across the nation; The Hall CP, a creative destination under construction in the University of Maryland’s Discovery District, and other communal workspaces spearheaded by Scott Plank through his development firm, War Horse Cities, demonstrate the immense potential that these shared spaces can have in catering to our society’s changing perspectives on lifestyle and workspaces.
WeWork Rose Out of a Need for Workspaces That Inspire Collaboration
WeWork, a significant commercial real estate company that grew from a small startup, saw a lack of flexible and shared workspaces and took action—since its founding in 2010, WeWork has transformed the definition of a workspace for a modern worker. With a focus on revolutionizing workspaces from small startups to major enterprises, WeWork aims to maximize the full potential of a space to meet the needs of a business’s unique culture and setup. Equipped with full confidence in the WeWork business model, along with having a shared mission and passion for providing creative and useful ways for our community to work, interact and grow, Scott Plank invested in WeWork upon discovering its genius and incredible potential. With War Horse Cities continued investment, WeWork has skyrocketed from a small startup to a powerhouse creative coworking provider with 200 locations in 64 cities and counting.
The philosophy of WeWork aligns perfectly with Scott Plank’s passion for built environments. Workplaces come in all shapes and sizes; rigid, cookie-cutter office spaces only offer so much space to thrive and grow. By removing those limiting boundaries, WeWork revamps office cultures and bolsters thriving and economically favorable workspaces. Scott Plank’s War Horse Cities joined the movement when WeWork opened its first location in the Meatpacking district of San Francisco in 2011; since then, Plank’s committed investment has helped WeWork open their second location in the beloved and edgy Tenderloin district in San Francisco, and the rest was history—with the help of Scott Plank and his dedicated team, WeWork transformed a once-vacant Mid-Market theater into a 500-600 person shared workspace. This initiative has proven, once again, that prioritizing the flourishing of creativity and flexibility in the workplace can inspire productivity.
The Hall CP Will Help Bolster the Community as a Creative Gathering Place
Creative collaboration does not stop in the workplace. Community-oriented, shared spaces allow creativity and innovation to spread like wildfire. Armed with that philosophy, Scott Plank developed a vision for what a collaborative space could bring to the community of his alma mater, The University of Maryland College Park, and introduced a transformational space, The Hall CP. A concept that has the potential to unify young professionals, students, chefs, artists, entrepreneurs, educators and more; a creative oasis to nourish the local community’s artistic capacity.
The 15,000-square-foot project that will be Hall CP is currently under construction near the University of Maryland College Park and will feature an indoor-outdoor stage and courtyard, performance spaces, a teaching kitchen, a shared dining space and a wealth of other amenities that will allow the space to be a hub for local creatives.
As Scott Plank and his team hit the ground running on this innovative project, they do so with the intention to demonstrate how mixed-use spaces have the radical potential to redefine what community can look like. Learn more about the development, and potential opening date, of The Hall CP here.
Learn More About How Creative, Collaborative Spaces Transform Our Definition of Community
We are stronger together, and the ability to unite our community through shared spaces that meet our society’s needs, nurture creativity and foster curiosity has limitless potential. Innovative companies like WeWork, alongside actionable multi-use spaces like The Hall CP, represent our society’s shift in how we view the workspace and the community watering hole. These entities do not have to exist separately or within rigid limitations. With shared spaces, like those which Scott Plank and his team have supported, invested in and developed, all aspects of a community can have a synergistic relationship. Ultimately, when looking at sustainable investment and development through this inclusive lens, the opportunities for innovation and socialization are endless.
