22nd February, 6:00pm at Hapworks_00 @ 7 Castle Street
Last year, we engaged with more than 390 creative practitioners, businesses, grassroots organisations and existing creative spaces to better understand the issue of space in Dundee; what people need, the barriers to establishing it and accessing it, and the challenges of sustaining it. A series of public events, conversations, and workshops allowed us to come together to develop an initial vision for the future of creative space in Dundee, and in October 2023, with the support of a group of enthusiastic creative practitioners, we launched Hapworks as a way of sharing this far and wide.
This month we are delighted to share the next stage of this project, Hapworks_00, which will temporarily occupy a vacant unit at 7 Castle Street, offering an experimental creative coworking and event space. This space will allow us to test new ways of working, demonstrate the value of creative space, and make creativity more visible within Dundee City Centre. It is the next stage in developing our long term vision to establish permanent creative space as part of Hapworks and begin responding to the results of the Hapworks survey.
Coworking will be available Monday to Thursday from Mon 26 February, and will provide desk spaces in an open plan, sociable space with others. The layout is flexible and is likely to evolve over the course of the pilot project in response to feedback from users. Coworking passes can be purchased on the Hapworks website with various weekly options available, including an early bird 10 week pass which will allow access for the duration of this project. Day passes are available in the space on a pay what you can basis.
A programme of events will support and connect the creative community, and give us the opportunity to collectively learn how space can be accessed and think about what we need to support both creative communities and spaces. Find out more about coworking access, programme and event space hire on the Hapworks website.
We will be throwing open the doors to Hapworks_00 on Thu 22 February at 6pm. We would love for you to join us!
Hapworks_00, 7 Castle Street, Dundee, DD1 3AA
Join us to celebrate the opening of Hapworks_00!
Find out more about our temporary coworking and events space, and hear about the results of the Hapworks survey. Celebratory drinks and refreshments provided.
The project has been supported by Dundee City Council’s Vacant to Vibrant initiative, which aims to reimagine new uses for vacant units and animate the city centre. Ongoing research by The Courier’s Data Visualisation team shows Castle Street has a 36.8% vacancy rate – the highest of all streets measured in Dundee City Centre. Despite this, Castle Street is also home to some much loved independent shops and is a fantastic city centre location.
The premises is a part of the old Theatre Royal building which opened in 1810, occupying 7-21 Castle Street. We look forward to opening a creative space here once again and, with Shakespeare watching down from above, it feels very happenstance, and very Hapworks.
The space has step free access from the street and has a double door entrance which is not automatic. The interior is all on one level, open plan and there is one accessible toilet.
The space can be reached by public transport; a 2 minute walk from the nearest bus stops at the rear of the Caird Hall and a 7 minute walk from Dundee Train Station. Space for bikes is available on Castle Street and there are a few short term parking spaces on the street. Several car parks are close by.
If you would like to support us in creating even better content, please consider joining or supporting our Amps Community.
