Page 18 - RENJ Sept.21

16 SEPTEMBER 2021
Sharon Lammens
co-working in New Jersey and that employers are taking
a cautious approach in their return to the office. But Sharon
A BALANCED APPROACH
Connell blends co-working, social club
in latest addition to flagship Berkeley Heights campus
By late summer, less than three months after unveiling what’s known as Round Table Studios,
The Connell Co. had all but leased up the new flexible workspace in Berkeley Heights.
It may in fact be a sign of growing interest in
Studios is meeting another need in the market by offering users more than just “a place to sit” — from fine dining and evening bar service to personal trainers and fitness classes.
“(With) co-working in general, they’re missing the hospitality piece ... where it’s more than going through the mechanics of people coming in, getting a key and sitting down,” said Lammens, the general manager at
the 44,000-square-foot venue. “This is really going to be a community, it’s going to bring all of the rich amenities that we have.”
It’s why Connell says the offering, part of its 185-acre business campus known as The Park, is as much a
social club as it is a flexible work area. The company has leaned into that concept by offering “social memberships” to those that aren’t necessarily renting a desk or an office suite in the space, but want access to the perks and services that RTS has to offer.
For instance, social memberships are available to companies that
lease space in one of The Park’s five traditional office buildings — or even a spouse of an RTS member.
“You feel a belonging here and then all of those amenities tie into that belonging,” said Lammens, who joined Connell last year with two decades of hotel industry experience.
With some 400 total seats, Round Table Studios features co-working options from desks and tables to lounge-style furniture scattered throughout a library, an upscale café and dining area known as RT Farms and other spaces. The venue at 200 Connell Drive also has a mix of private offices, with sizes ranging from single-person suites to larger studios for more than 40 employees, along with on-demand conference and collaboration rooms.
Connell’s formula has seemingly struck a chord with the market. As of late August, the firm said about 90 percent of the space was under contract, having signed up
Lammens believes Round Table
By Joshua Burd
The Connell Co. recently unveiled Round Table Studios, a new flexible workspace and social club at its flagship 185-acre business campus in Berkeley Heights known as The Park. The venue provides more than just office space and workstations to its members, who also have access to everything from fine dining and evening bar service to personal trainers and fitness classes.
All photos courtesy: The Connell Co.