Co-Working in the palais

A good address

In order to be able to offer attractive co-working spaces, the location is one of the decisive parameters. The “Rheinische Palais” in Düsseldorf, which dates back to 1909, is not only one of the most beautiful traditional addresses in the business city, it also has two atriums on the two upper floors, which are open to the daylight with a glass barrel roof. They connect the two floors on which Ruby GmbH, which is also active on the market as a boutique hotel operator, offers workspaces for rent.

Ruby Carl

The overall concept of the loft-like facility run by three employees was given the title “Ruby Carl” with reference to the location’s district. Typical of the organisational structure is, on the one hand, a deliberately threshold-free access without reception effort, so that users and their guests can move around and place themselves on the floors in a casual manner. This is functionally necessary because some of the workplaces are only rented for hours as shared desks or for days.

On the other hand, the interior design strives to avoid the businesslike rental office style. The overall ambience responds to the historical location with its atmospheric interior language and uses self-staging zones whose associative potential suits the rather young target group: Industrial Style, Lounge, Bar, Loft etc. Everything oscillates – between English club, Kontor style around 1900 and Mid-Century Modern.

Under the glass roof

The available space of 1,800 square metres is divided into 240 workplaces, most of which are housed in structurally self-contained offices. Due to their differentiated dimensions, they allow for almost any number of users from 2 to 10. The versatile range of workspaces is supplemented by open spaces and individual workstations to be taken en passant, as it were, which are distributed across the homely connecting zones. 400 square metres are dedicated to the communal zones, the community, and are located under the charming glass roofs.

Together or each to their own

A barista bar, loosely distributed tables or leather sofas serve for individual relaxation and at the same time the desired contact with other tenants. For confidential conversations and telephone calls, those working in meeting rooms or shared offices can retreat to small isolated “work stations”.

What do you see as the supporting qualities of a good workplace?

Matthew Balon, Carolin Bauer: The perfect workplace offers more places to work than just a desk. It feels like a second home. We also find that the ideal place to work is one that is about more than work. It’s a place that connects us with like-minded people. But for us, our lean-luxury philosophy also means high-quality equipped workplaces with the highest quality of service at affordable prices. We love uncomplicated comfort, inspiring people, individuality, soul and character. We leave out the unimportant, quite consistently, just like in our hotels.

Do you see any comparability in interior design for living and for working?

Definitely. What the kitchen is in every home, in our Ruby Workspaces it is the bar, which forms the heart and is the place where people meet. We also offer both open, communicative spaces like the “Join Area” and private retreats. A homely interior design with curtains, warm light and natural materials such as real wood floors, vintage sideboards but also plants create a cosy living atmosphere. The concept is rounded off by a location-specific and individual design, which gives the workspace a personal and at the same time homely touch.

Which material-related aspects are decisive for you in the future development of the workspaces?

In addition to the individual story that each of our workspaces tells and which is inspired by its destination, the sustainability aspect is particularly important to us. By combining vintage elements and using high-quality, durable materials and regional wood, we incorporate this into our workspaces. With a homely and inspiring ambience and real materials with patina, we also want to create an even cosier atmosphere that offers maximum comfort while radiating authenticity and warmth.