When it comes to finding that home away from home— or rather that work space away from your kitchen table— we know there’s a little risk involved. While we pack our laptops and chargers, we go through a mental checklist: Where will I find WiFi? What if I need to take a phone call? What does my coffee situation look like? Would I be comfortable there for five hours? What about noise level? No, but, really, coffee?

Once you find that gem that ticks off all the boxes, there’s really no turning back, but sometimes it takes a little Goldilocks searching. To get some of that guesswork out of the way, we bring you our Field Notes series, aka our guide to helping you find your spot that’s not too hot, not too cold, but feels just right. Check our last one here.

This week, I checked out Space 530 in the Garment District in Midtown. Modern, airy, and très chic— there are so many fashion start-ups to ogle!— it’s a large space where you’ll be able to chitchat or find a quiet desk to work.

Point of Entry

Fig 1A: (left) revolving door to building; Fig 2A: (right) keypad near elevator.

The space is off 7th Avenue and 39th Street. You’ll see it sandwiched between a Pret a Manger and Metro Cafe. Look for the gold front of the building 530. There’s even a very large, art-deco emblem at the top with the street number that you certainly can’t miss.

You’ll see the elevator bay to your left and the front desk right before you when you enter. This is one of those keypads before you enter the elevator type of deals. Just hit M1 on one of the pads and it’ll assign you to an elevator.

When you step out onto the floor, you’re immediately in the space’s foyer area. You’ll see a bold “Space 530” sign on one side that looks like it belongs on a fashion magazine, and on the opposite will be the glass double doors leading to the front desk. Check into Croissant and introduce yourself to the community manager. She can show you around to the phone booths and communal desks.

Amenities

Fig 2A (left): Filtered water. Hit button once and fills cup. Want more water? Press again but remember to press the button to stop it or it will overflow. Yes, that happened; Fig 2B (top right): vending machine; Fig 2C (bottom right) creamers.

Coffee & Tea
Printing Access
Phone booths
Kitchen & Microwave
Conference Room
Standing desk
Mail Service

There's a Keurig, tea bags, and creamers in the kitchen area that you can use for free. Or you can level up and pour yourself complimentary nitro cold brew from the tap nearby. There’s also a water filter for flat or seltzer, and you can find ice in a mini freezer right under the water filter.

There are two vending machines too! One in the kitchen with cheap snacks and sodas, and the other is under the stairs against the wall, which does take card. You can get headphones, stamps, and candies at that one.

If you want to store your lunch, head up stairs and find the smaller kitchen with a large fridge. There's a microwave there too.

For phone booths, start at the front desk, turn left, and then go to the end of the hall. Turn left again. There are several to use too!

Restrooms

If you’re at the long communal desk on the main floor, head up the stairs near the front of the space, continue straight past another couch section and small kitchen, then on your left should be the restroom doors.

There’s another private restroom on the main floor, towards the communal table against the wall. When you first enter the space, turn right at the front desk, past a couch area, and turn your first right to find the row of quiet desks— you can also work here! The restroom is at the end towards the right.

Decor: Chic and Modern

Collage: Detail snaps of lounge areas scattered around the space.

With 16-foot ceilings, tall windows letting in tons of natural light, minimal decor spaced out, and contemporary furniture to keep lines clean, the space feels calm for working. If you walk up the stairs and and take a look at the floor below, the open ceilings of the personal offices keeps everything feeling airy.

Noise-Level: Subtle hum of chitchat.

Fig 4A: That's me at the communal table, working hard, super focused, enjoying a trusty croissant :)

I’m the type to prefer sitting in spaces with a little bit of liveliness around me, so this space was ideal for me. And the space is so large, when people talked, it didn’t really hinder my focus because their conversation fell to the background. Some offices took small meetings in the communal spaces, which didn’t distract me either because no one was super loud. They played music at a comfortable, low volume overhead too.

If you do sit at the communal table near the kitchen, there’s more activity with people coming and going, so maybe opt for a seat near the window in the back or even at the other communal table.

Ambience: Relaxed. Can cowork with a guest.

The space and the fashion around you are chic, but the vibe is very relaxed. I coworked with a friend and we were able to brainstorm for a bit, then go back to work without really bothering anyone.

Also, most of the companies in here are in the fashion industry, so I loved seeing everyone’s chic summer dresses and shoes.

Space: Large and spacious.

Fig 5A: (top left) Lounge and kitchen near windows; Fig 5B: (top right) lounge area when you first come in; Fig 5C: (bottom left) Sky view of the offices in the space; Fig 5D: (bottom right) neon sign.

You can sit at the long communal table near the kitchen, which has outlets stuck to the underside of the table. Or you can sit at the other row of communal desks to the other side of reception. It’s a little more quiet there, and you won’t have so much activity around.

You can also grab a couch to work or maybe take a phone call, but if you need more time, there are phone booths.

Lighting: Natural light

High windows on one end of the space gives lots of natural light, which I always prefer. The space is really open too which I think helps you mentally get in the zone.

Vibe: Independent.

Collage: Me in action as I take on my first cold brew nitro pour.

Want the nitro cold brew but have never poured from a tap? Well, now’s your chance to try. Or grab what you need— teas, coffee, creamers— and find a spot to sit and work. Need the microwave? It’s at the upstairs kitchen near the restrooms. There’s a fridge where you can store your lunch too.

The environment’s pretty laid back and sartorially outfitted. Just be respectful and have headphones if you want your own music.

Workday: Stay All Day or Quick Stop

Fig 7A: (top left) row of phone booths with lots of privacy; Fig 7B: (right) vault door to conference room that feels like it's from The Avengers; Fig 7C: (bottom left) another view of the phone booths and a small high top. — Fig 7A: (top left) row of phone booths with lots of privacy; Fig 7B: (right) vault door to conference room that feels like it's from *The Avengers*; Fig 7C: (bottom left) another view of the phone booths and a small high top.

I loved staying all day. There are lots of lunch places right outside, cold brew is always around, and the vibe was a relaxed sort of buzz. That being said, I think it’s good for a quick stop in between meetings too. No need to go to a cafe when there’s tea and coffee and WiFi here.

Relationship Status: Active.

I enjoyed being near teams that were really brainstorming or meeting near me. I like that energy. But it isn’t as bustling as I make it out to sound. The communal table isn’t super busy, and the space really is large enough that I don’t mind the activity or discussions happening nearby. It almost felt calm.

Field Notes: My First Visit to Space 530