Network of third spaces is resonating with community seekers and transforming underutilized commercial spaces
NEW YORK, NY, February 26, 2025 (EZ Newswire) -- Fabrik, the member-based network of locations for those seeking to build and join communities, announced it is opening a new location at 20 Jay Street in Brooklyn's DUMBO district, and reported significant growth in members and programming after just six months of operation in New York City. The Big Apple is Fabrik’s first market for this new model for “third spaces” and programming that is designed for meet ups, making friends, tackling work and unwinding. The company is aiming for further US expansion this year as it offers a solution to the global loneliness epidemic, which impacts 1 in 3 Americans and reportedly costs the economy $460 billion annually in lowered productivity and absenteeism.Fabrik was developed as part of Hines Global Ventures, which supported the company with resources from concept to launch and beyond, including an initial seed investment. The company’s first location, which opened last June in Tribeca, has quickly become a popular option for people to find connection and belonging in between work and home. Fabrik is now home to 130 communities and clubs, whose builders regularly host events aimed at a range of interests: start-up founders, arts and creative groups, as well as gatherings for fitness enthusiasts, cookbook clubs, the “sober-curious,” self-care, and events for many other organizations who want a consistent, affordable place to connect over shared passions. Attendees range from college students to later stage professionals who are drawn to the varying topics and interests in Fabrik’s programming. Fabrik’s proprietary digital platform also helps community members discover kindred spirits, organize in-person meet-ups and build their own communities.
“At Fabrik, we believe that every community deserves a space to activate, grow and flourish,” said Jaclyn Pascocello, founder and CEO of Fabrik. “Our early success reflects a growing demand for spaces that foster authentic connections and empower builders to create meaningful impact. With our expansion to Brooklyn, we are excited to extend our vision to even more communities, and to offer Fabrik as an attractive solution to a dynamic commercial real estate market.”
Fabrik's second location is a 5,600 square foot, 2nd floor space at 20 Jay Street, a Two Trees Management building. Fabrik, whose membership has a waiting list of 1,400 New York area community leaders, expects to open in DUMBO later this spring. Will Grover and Ryan Gessin of Newmark Group, Inc. acted as Fabrik broker and advisors.
This human-led, technology-supported startup is also addressing commercial real estate’s glut of underutilized space and a marketplace demand shift for smaller spaces to accommodate hybrid work environments. As 69% of Manhattan leases in the first quarter of 2024 were for smaller spaces, the Fabrik team activates to rapidly transform harder-to-lease vacant spaces of between 5,000 and 8,000 square feet into comfortable open spaces that are more living room than office. Fabrik not only offers property owners and managers an incremental revenue stream; it brings under-used space to life and is an attractive feature for current and future tenants.
Open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Fabrik offers Community members the option to attend a growing slate of events and engaging programming, and its Community Host members can organize meet-ups, workshops, panel discussions and other gatherings for its own members as well as the entire Fabrik community.
The Brooklyn location, set to open in the Q1 of 2025, marks a significant step forward in Fabrik’s growth. Building on the success of its flagship Tribeca space, the new location will continue to meet the diverse needs of its members and their communities. It will also help realize Fabrik’s commitment to scaling its impact and creating a citywide network of vibrant third spaces offering community and connection.
“An alarming 36% of Americans—1 in 3 people—report feeling lonely frequently or all the time. That number jumps to 63% for the 18–25 age group. And loneliness is not just a mental, social and physical health crisis; it’s an economic problem. The $460 billion annual expense borne by our economy because of absenteeism, lower productivity and other factors contributing to loneliness is a significant hit on a balance sheet,” said Gwen Wiscount, co-founder and COO of Fabrik. “In addition, much of commercial real estate remains underutilized. So we’re seizing multiple untapped opportunities, providing value and an antidote to loneliness for our members but also to businesses seeking innovative solutions to marketplace challenges.”
Pascocello, a seasoned hospitality leader and proptech entrepreneur, brings a wealth of experience to Fabrik. As the former COO of Spacious, a leading startup in the co-working arena acquired by WeWork in 2019, she is uniquely positioned to drive Fabrik’s mission of creating spaces that are more than just physical locations but essential hubs of community and connectivity.
“The current market dynamics have created an immense opportunity for Fabrik to deliver impact—both economically and socially—by creating more vibrant communities and ecosystems with its innovative model,”said Kathryn Scheckel, Venture Advisor at Hines and Fabrik board member. “Fabrik has already become home to hundreds of unique communities and individuals seeking connection and is proving its value to the commercial real estate marketplace.”
About Fabrik
For more information about Fabrik and its mission to transform community spaces, visit www.joinfabrik.com.
Media Contact
Loren Pomerantz
loren@combined-forces.com
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