Pipeline, a co-working space firm, has leased 21,000 square feet at the Graham building in Center City.
This marks Pipeline’s second location. It is based in Miami, Fla., and is a membership-based co-working company that is looking to expand its brand.
The Philadelphia location will be on two floors of Graham building at 15th and Chestnut streets and will open this fall. It will have event space, flexible workspaces, dedicated desks, private offices and conference rooms. It caters to start-up companies and sole proprietors, which is a growing segment of small businesses in Philadelphia. Rents will vary depending on the desk that someone wants to use.
Pipeline won't just let anyone be a member. Rather, it will "curate" the type of firms it wants to add as members.
There are reasons for being so exclusionary.
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"One of our fundamental concepts is that this is a community of companies from a variety of sectors that are at different stages," said Philippe Houdard, a co-founder of Pipeline. "We want the right mix so everyone can benefit."
The events that Pipeline plans to house, some in conjunction with Center City District, will be similar to TED talks and expose members to thought leaders in the community, said David Grasso, who owns the building.
"We want people to think of us as a place to go," he said. "Our goal is to be part of the community."
