Coworking Space to Make Home for Tech Startups at 1000 Dean in Crown Heights

Clockwise from top left: The Vault CEO and co-founder Kevin Smith, The Vault’s future Crown Heights location in 1000 Dean, a view of The Vault’s current space in San Francisco, and The Vault COO and co-founder Sanjay Mody.

Crown Heights already has a co-living building. Now it’s getting some mega-sized coworking space.

The Vault — a tech-oriented coworking company based in San Francisco — just signed a lease for a new outpost in 1000 Dean, the neighborhood’s creative office hive established by Brownstoner founder Jonathan Butler.

Started by venture investor Kevin Smith, The Vault bills itself as being more networking- and entrepreneurial-focused than competitors like WeWork. For one thing, The Vault doesn’t accept just any company as a member. The Vault also plays an active role in building relationships between its curated selection of tenants.

The company chose to open a venue in Brooklyn to be close to where the city’s creative workers live, according to Crain’s. When it opens early next year, The Vault will join two existing neighborhood coworking spots operated by Work and Co — Dean Machine and Franklin Electric.

“We think there’s a tremendous demand in these neighborhoods for this kind of space that has not been filled,” The Vault co-founder and Chief Operating Officer Sanjay Mody told Crain’s.

The 20,000-square-foot ground floor space was originally leased in 2013 to collaborative art space 3rd Ward, which planned for a city-funded food incubator and test kitchen. But after 3rd Ward abruptly shuttered that fall, the space was left in want of an occupant.

Even then, Jonathan Butler immediately imagined a coworking space for the unit, and set about soliciting proposals. Last year, the ground floor space was the Brooklyn Flea’s indoor winter location.

But with The Flea in Industry City this winter, 1000 Dean is filling up. After The Vault moves in, 90 percent of the building will be taken, according to agent Chris Havens.

[h/t: Crain’s | Photos: Selldorf Architects and The Vault]

Related Stories
Three Big Spaces at 1000 Dean Now for Rent
Coworking Grows in Brooklyn
Coworkrs Debuts a New State-of-the-Art Coworking Space in Gowanus

What's Happening