‘From Koncept To Creation’ | New flexible workspace firm opens its doors in historic Atlanta neighborhood
The ’Koncept House’ state-of-the-art facility offers unique office space for creatives and entrepreneurs
CASTLEBERRY HILL, ATL. — ‘Necessity is the mother of invention.’
Never has this idiom been more true than it was during The-Year-That-Must-Not-Be-Named when even something as simple as a handshake was considered an act of hostility, and something as mundane as a grocery run, an act of valor.
As June looms as large on the horizon as the recent full moon, the world has begun to move beyond the receding shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic, neighborhoods across the city have begun to assess their definition of the ‘new normal.’
One of the most surprising outcomes from a year fraught with lemons was — innovation.
Although the wheels had been put into motion years before a petulant little coronavirus named COVID-19 turned the world on its ear, the arrival of the new flexible workspace facility, Koncept House (that’s right, with a ‘k’) seems impossibly right on time for the vast majority of its clientele.
Bearing many undeniable similarities to companies like WeWork or OxWork, ‘Koncept’s’ co-founder, accomplished real estate developer, Anthony Gee tells Vox Pop ATL, that the similarities end there.
Gee was not interested in re-inventing the wheel, rather than using that same wheel to steer his most recent venture directly towards his desired demographic — the creatives.
“Koncept House is an entrepreneurial space for creatives and makers. We provide, a usable, functional, beautiful loft space for people that don't need a traditional office,” explains Gee.
Their flagship facility is located at 154 Mangum St SW, tucked neatly off the main thoroughfare smack dab in the heart of the Castleberry Hill’s Arts District.
The three-story building appears rather inconspicuous from the road, fitting right with the other historic buildings that surround it. Originally home to the Southern Tablet and Manufacturing Company from the neighborhood’s industrial factory days.
However, once you’ve stepped foot inside of the impressive 24,000 sq ft facility, it resembles much more of a boutique hotel / trendy office building with hardwood floors, exposed brick, and air ducts as far as the eye can see.
Originally conceived as more of tech-heavy incubator-style living space for coding and engineering students to provide customizable live-work space for young professionals. The business model had to pivot in the wake of global shutdowns.
Vox Pop ATL also spoke with John Whatley, CEO, and co-founder of DreamHouse, the international real estate development firm behind the business model utilized by Koncept House.
“We can offer your particular unique level of ‘dream house.’ Be it a home, an apartment, micro-unit, shared community,” affirms Whatley.
‘What ‘home’ means to you. What a dream is to you, we want to be able to offer it.”
The Atlanta native had the extremely uncoveted honor of being in Hong Kong supervising one of its initial properties when COVID and the resulting shutdowns hit China like a ton of bricks.
Thankfully, with Koncept House about to celebrate the first anniversary of opening its doors in the Castleberry Hill neighborhood, it’s been relatively smooth sailing.
“We opened up in June, and within 60 days, we had one floor completely full of creative entrepreneurs, and so we realized we were onto something,” attests Gee.
“This pandemic accelerated most of the businesses here.”
Gee tells Vox Pop that Koncept House is nearly ready to start occupying its third and final floor for new tenants within the next few weeks.
A Brave New World, some might say, while others might call it a modern-day Renaissance, out of the still-settling ashes of the pandemic.
For more information about Koncept House, visit their website and to learn more about DreamHouse, click here.
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