Itching to *go* to work again? Check out this coworking space’s upgrades—Forge thought of everything [PHOTOS]

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Bham Now's Wade Cline working at Forge with their new safety upgrades
Bham Now’s own Wade Cline taking a rare break from movin’ + shakin’ while working at Forge. Photo via Matthew Niblett for Bham Now

If the luster of working from home has worn off, you need to know about all the upgrades Forge, the cool coworking space just above The Pizitz Food Hall downtown, has made to keep everybody safe. Want to see for yourself? Book a tour today.

Kelsey + Kim with a Forge birthday cake, back when people could stand close to each other
We sure miss seeing Kim and Kelsey’s smiling faces in Forge every day! Photo via Matthew Niblett for Bham Now and taken in 2019 prior to COVID-19

Forge really has thought of everything to make coworking safe and fun for everyone. I talked with Kim Lee, Founder and CEO and Kelsey Sizemore, Marketing and Community Manager, to get all the details, including 20% off for any Bham Now reader who signs up for a full-time or dedicated desk membership. 👇🏽

So many reasons to *not* work from home

The expansion at Forge gives coworkers plenty of room to spread out and keep a safe distance
This is what coworking looks like now, #socialdistance edition. Photo via Matthew Niblett for Bham Now

Pajama bottoms and sports bras aside, there are *so many* reasons any of us might be itching to get back into a more professional setting.

In fact, Kim and Kelsey said over the past month or so, more and more people have hit a point where they’re wanting to go somewhere—even if it’s just for part of a workday or workweek. Forge is the perfect solution.

Take a look at all the ways Forge has upgraded

1. Clear safety protocols leave nothing to chance

Forge has new safety upgrades to leave nothing to chance
Since social distancing runs so counter to human nature, signs like these are helpful reminders. Photo via Matthew Niblett for Bham Now

Forge came up with these Health and Safety Procedures a while back and have tweaked them to keep current with the times.

2. Nooks help you keep your distance while getting things done

New nooks at Forge are part of the safety upgrade
Forge’s Kelsey Sizemore focusing with a little mood lighting. Photo via Matthew Niblett for Bham Now

Not only can you block out distractions in one of these new little nooks, but they come with their own remote control so you can select the mood lighting that suits you. Also, note the cleaning supplies above the power strip. Sort of like a mint on your pillow in these mid-pandemic times…

3. Different size meeting rooms allow for privacy

Private meeting rooms allow for people to have discussions they don't want everyone to hear
Whether pastoring is your profession or not, everybody needs a private meeting space sometimes. Photo via Matthew Niblett for Bham Now

Sometimes you just want to be able to step into a room with a colleague and shut the door for a conversation you don’t want the world to hear. Private meeting rooms are perfect for those times.

Forge even has team rooms too, with lots of room
Looking into one of the new team offices at Forge. Photo via Matthew Niblett for Bham Now

Need to have a team meeting but your office is closed and Zoom just won’t cut it? Forge has new team offices that can accommodate groups of 5-6 with plenty of room for people to spread out.

4. Forge makes the coffee for you 🙌🏽

Personalized coffee service is one of the safety upgrades at Forge
Why thank you, I’d love a cup. Photo via Matthew Niblett for Bham Now

Part of the new safety protocol at Forge is a centralized full-service coffee station. Plus, this is a nice treat for anyone who’s been making their own cup of coffee for the past 5+ months.

5. Make client calls—or dinner reservations—in your very own phone booth

Private calling booths are another safety upgrade at Forge
Make phone calls in style in this private phone booth. Or pop in for a quick change if you’re Superman… Photo via Matthew Niblett for Bham Now

I have to admit, these private phone booths are my absolute favorite upgrade. Now the people who are on sales calls for much of the day, or those of us who need to do a quick interview, have somewhere secluded to go. ❤️

Forge has 3 membership levels

1. Dedicated desk, starting at $325 / month
2. Full time, starting at $189 / month
3. Community, starting at $99 / month

The community membership is new, and designed for people who don’t necessarily need to come in every day. You get professional mailing capabilities, the member rate on meeting room space and day passes, and access to HR benefits including healthcare, retirement, HR services and more. Pretty sweet for a small biz working to keep expenses low.

Find all the details on membership here, and book your tour so you can see for yourself.

What people who work at Forge have to say

He’s been a member since Day 1

“As a sole proprietor who’s been in business for over 15 years, I have been in every type of office set up imaginable. Forge, to date, has been the best.

Working alone can be isolating, but Forge offers a great community environment at an affordable price right in the middle of downtown Birmingham.

If I have a deadline, I have the ability to focus in on my work without distraction in my private office. There is also a vast array of businesses sharing this space…several of whom I have hired to help with marketing/ web site development, strategic plans, and accounting.”

John Wilson of Golightly Landscape Architecture

These two joined recently

“Working at Forge has been a great escape from my home office. The space is modern, well designed, has a great community and I love that it overlooks the Pizitz food hall.”

Michael Crider of Semco

“Forge has been a great turnkey solution for our company. We were up and running on day one. We also enjoy the energy of a shared work environment while having the privacy of a dedicated office.”

Perry Still of HNS Partners

Book a tour now so you can see all that Forge has to offer for yourself.

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Sharron Swain
Sharron Swain

Writer, Interviewer + Adventurer | Telling stories to make a difference

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