The Yard

The Yard operates as a provider of flexible and managed co-working spaces, catering to a diverse clientele ranging from individual entrepreneurs and startups to established enterprises. The company was founded in 2011 by Morris Levy and Richard Beyda, two Brooklyn natives who identified a market gap for professional workspaces that didn't require long-term, expensive lease commitments. Their first location was established in a converted warehouse in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, with the name "The Yard" chosen to evoke a sense of balanced work and community.

Co-founder and CEO Morris Levy brought a unique blend of experience to the venture. His background includes 15 years in his family's fashion manufacturing business, which provided him with a foundation in improving products and adding value. He later transitioned to real estate, where he managed a portfolio of over 50 commercial properties and ground-up developments. This experience in real estate and an understanding of the challenges in leasing large spaces led him to recognize the demand for smaller, more flexible office solutions. Co-founder Richard Beyda serves as Head of Real Estate. Together, they aimed to create a workspace focused on a professional work culture, deliberately avoiding the then-common distractions of beer taps and arcade games to foster a grown-up, disruption-free environment.

The Yard's business model is centered on month-to-month memberships, offering a variety of solutions including open co-working desks, dedicated desks, private offices for teams from one to over 30 people, and entire enterprise floors for larger corporations. Revenue is generated through these flexible membership fees. Additionally, they offer virtual office memberships that provide a business address, mail forwarding, and access to conference rooms. Key amenities across their locations include 24/7 access, high-speed Wi-Fi, furnished spaces, state-of-the-art conference rooms, and receptionist services. A distinct feature is The Yard Art Program, which involves collaboration with curators to display works from local artists, turning the spaces into rotating galleries. This, along with a focus on designing smaller, cozy locations, aims to foster a tight-knit community and an inspiring work environment that reflects the character of its neighborhood. Since its inception, the company has expanded from its single Brooklyn location to multiple sites across New York City, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., and Boston, growing its network to over 2,000 businesses. Noteworthy past members include the teams behind Uber and Blue Apron.

Keywords: flexible workspace, coworking space, private offices, managed office space, Morris Levy, Richard Beyda, New York coworking, Philadelphia coworking, DC coworking, Boston coworking, enterprise suites, virtual office, professional workspace, month-to-month office, office rental, shared office, The Yard Art Program, startup office solutions, business community, flexible lease