When #wfh Stops Working
The pandemic magnified the problem — and now a Rockport couple is delivering the solution to Cape Ann
Cofounder Katie Cahill: “We wanted a welcoming space that would enable productivity. The simple, clean design inspires growth.”
Wheelhouse Cowork has the feel of a modern American business. A woman takes a call in a phone booth. A number of people watch a presentation in a conference room. A man types on a laptop at an elevated desk as another meets with a client in an adjacent nook. The smell of freshly brewed coffee permeates the air and a printer hums somewhere in the background.
But Wheelhouse is not a typical business, and the people here are not coworkers — at least not in the traditional sense. Though they all work in the same environment and use the same amenities, each of them is employed by a different company.
By the end of 2019, 16 percent of employed Americans telecommuted at least part of the time. Many employers advertised the ability to work from home as one of the perks of the job, especially if they wanted to attract younger generations known to reject the standard nine-to-five slog of the baby boomers.
But not all people view working from home as a blessing. For those living alone, it can be lonely and isolating. For parents, it can mean the constant distraction of children. Young people with roommates may have only a small bedroom for privacy. Business owners might lack the room to hold meetings with clients or employees. Creatives can find their surroundings uninspiring. Others feel unmotivated or unable to take their work seriously.
Wheelhouse boasts 19 workstations, five private offices, four dedicated desks, a phone booth, a conference room with a 75-inch display, among its amenities.
In 2002, coworking emerged in Vienna, Austria, from the collective desire for a situation that could replicate the office experience. The first coworking space in the US launched in San Francisco in 2005. The business model has steadily increased in popularity over the past fifteen years. Currently, there are an estimated 5,000 cooperative workspaces in the country.
For over a decade, Cape Ann native Nate Cahill commuted to Boston for his career in the healthcare research field. When he was finally given the green light to work from home, he found it distracting, especially as a new dad. He then tried noisy cafes where he had to fight for a seat and shell out money for the privilege. He dreamed of a home away from home, a comfortable spot where power outlets were abundant and electronics could be left unattended.
Speaking with other telecommuters, Nate realized he wasn’t alone. In fact, there seemed to be a market for a communal workplace on Cape Ann where independent professionals could come together. So he quit his day job and set about making his dream a reality. In February of 2019, he and his wife Katie founded Wheelhouse Cowork.
Katie and Nate Cahill, owners of Wheelhouse Cowork
“Creating Wheelhouse took hard work, passion, luck, and most importantly, an amazing crew,” Nate said.
Located in Gloucester’s commercial district, Wheelhouse is a 2,800-square-foot, open-concept workspace. It boasts 19 workstations, five private offices, four dedicated desks, a phone booth, a conference room with a 75-inch display, a reading nook, a meeting room, and an outdoor patio with a bike rack.
The design is industrial yet cozy. Exposed brick and pipework coexist with plants and natural wood features. Bright orange accents punctuate the gray and white color palette. Katie, an art therapist, was instrumental in achieving the aesthetic.
"We wanted a welcoming space that would enable productivity,” she said. “The simple, clean design inspires growth.”
“As a writer, it’s important to be surrounded by creative people for inspiration. I really think coworking is the wave of the future.”
Members enjoy 24/7 keyless access, wireless internet, cloud printing, mail service, air conditioning, and a kitchenette stocked with snacks and beverages. In addition, they’re able to access over 350 other coworking sites around the country. Contract-free memberships cost between $250 and $1,000 a month, with discounts available for veterans, nonprofits and students.
The Cahills have partnered with hyperlocal businesses in order to foster a sense of community and belonging. CAP Construction brought Katie’s artistic vision to life. RPF Woodworking designed the custom desktops and Spire Woodshop built the live-edge table gracing the entryway. Breakwater Roasters supplies the unlimited java and Pigeon Cove Ferments fills the fridge with flavored kombucha. Cedar Rock Gardens delivers produce to members and Latoff Farmhouse Kitchen in Rockport provides baked goods. Living with Ease Massage offers regular sessions in the conference room, and Cici’s Cleaning Services keeps the place looking immaculate.
“There are dynamic and talented folks all over Cape Ann,” said Nate. “Our role is to share the best local products and services with our crew.”
Wheelhouse has approximately 30 members representing a range of industries. They include an IT specialist, a writer, a marketing expert, a professor, a computer programmer, an accountant, a nonprofit worker, a mobile app developer, and a government employee. Although 30 might sound like a lot, some only come once or twice a week.
Members have different reasons for making Wheelhouse their home away from home. Lauren of GL Design needed a quiet atmosphere for conducting calls with clients. Real estate CEO Tom appreciates the downtown location where he can patronize neighborhood shops during the workday. Engineer Kelly likes being able to meet with clients in a professional setting.
Novelist Mary Cresse commented that being a member allows her to interface with interesting, like-minded people.
“As a writer, it’s important to be surrounded by creative people for inspiration,” she said. “I really think coworking is the wave of the future.”
When the pandemic hit in early March, Wheelhouse had to adjust to the new standards of health and safety. It closed for a time and reopened with mask-wearing and social distancing. Workstations were reduced and retrofitted with transparent partitions. Handwashing signs and hand sanitizer are ubiquitous. Disposable masks are available at both entrances and surfaces are disinfected at regular intervals.
“Our members have been fantastic through these changes,” Nate stated. “They are active participants in keeping our space safe.”
But while the coronavirus has caused some businesses to close their doors — sometimes for good — Wheelhouse has never been more popular. With an unprecedented number of Americans working remotely, there has been a surge in demand for flexible offices. Nate admitted that keeping up has been a challenge.
“It’s a great problem to have,” he said.
The Duncan Street entrance features an outdoor seating area and a bike rack.
The Cahills always intended to expand, but COVID-19 has kicked their plans into high gear. To meet the rising need for a community workplace on Cape Ann, they recently secured 3,000 square feet in the former Chamber of Commerce building on Commercial Street. With the help of local architect Neil Higgins, they’re transforming it into a second Wheelhouse site.
“The two locations will essentially bookend Main Street,” Nate said. “We are bullish on the collaborative workspace business model, our unique take on coworking and downtown Gloucester writ large.”
The new branch will be constructed with a post-pandemic mindset. Air filters will be changed frequently and private offices will have outside windows for natural ventilation. The Cahills hope to cut the ribbon by late fall and are already accepting applications.
Bringing in more people to Wheelhouse means more sales for nearby restaurants and cafes, many of which have struggled to remain open during the epidemic.
“Main Street businesses need these members,” said Nate.
The remote work boom does not show signs of slowing any time soon. There is still no end in sight to the ongoing health crisis and employees are expressing their preference for distance work even once the threat is behind us. Wheelhouse offers Cape Ann residents a charming and convenient work-from-home alternative in the heart of Gloucester.
“Come down and visit us,” Nate said. “I’d love to walk you through the space and see if it’s a good fit for you.”
Nate Cahill inside Wheelhouse Cowork’s new location on Commercial Street.
Shawn Henry is a Gloucester-based editorial photographer.
► Wheelhouse Cowork, 189 Main Street, Gloucester. (978) 381 9353. For more information, contact Nate Cahill. Their new location at 33 Commercial Street (above) is expected to open in the late fall.
