1909 Secures New Home in Historic Comeau Building
Expanded Space Offers More Offices, Additional Conferences Rooms and Event Space, Gym, Quiet Room & More
Following an arduous journey, during which 1909 navigated challenges in the commercial real estate landscape (including being stripped of winning bid for City building), the non-profit 501(c)(3) organization is thrilled to announce the lease acquisition of their new home in the historic Comeau Building on Clematis Street in downtown West Palm Beach, Florida.
Doubling in size from 4,000 sqft to nearly 9,000 sqft, this move marks a significant milestone for the organization. The new lease provides the essential space for the flourishing companies within 1909 that are actively hiring and expanding their teams. This success comes after overcoming the difficulties of finding a suitable and affordable new home, with the journey taking a momentous turn when 1909 was serendipitously connected with Morning Calm Advisors—a pivotal moment in 1909's history.
Lobby of newly renovated Comeau Building at 319 Clematis Street.
“Partnering with such a dedicated group like 1909 that drives so much impact in the areas of entrepreneurship, education, and community in our city is an incredible opportunity for Morning Calm,” said Ben Eleazer, Associate Director, Morning Calm Advisors. “As we created our renovation plan, we were careful to design something that would not only honor the history of West Palm Beach but also the history of the building. We couldn’t be more proud that Comeau will be the new home of an organization like 1909 that will help execute on a shared vision of fortifying the culture and growth of our community.”
1909 is dedicated to the holistic growth of early-stage entrepreneurs, offering workspace, mentorship, business education, and a support community to like-minded individuals who are committed to building a better tomorrow for themselves, their families, the community, and the world.
“In a challenging commercial real estate environment, we sought affordable space to support emerging local businesses and maintain the culture we cherish,” stated Shana Ostrovitz, Executive Director of 1909. “Securing a partner who understands our needs and values our community contribution was crucial to the process.”
The expansion will see an increase in offices from 9 to 17, addressing the demand that caused 1909 to institute a waitlist for offices for nearly two years. This growth not only accommodates current members but also sets the stage for welcoming new members into the vibrant community.
1909 Staff & Board Members making it official
The Comeau Building offers additional conference rooms, alleviating the high demand for collaborative spaces in 1909's current location. Members will now have more opportunities to brainstorm, meet with clients, engage with their teams, and attract potential investors. The new facility will feature a quiet room to prioritize mental health, a gym to promote physical well-being, a dedicated music listening room, expanded event space, and enhanced security available 24/7. Additionally, this expansion will enable 1909 to broaden its programming for members aiming to take their companies to the next level, scale, or to pursue acquisitions - a resource not currently offered in Palm Beach County.
Navigating through an extensive search process while considering factors such as pricing, parking, local amenities, and safety, 1909 found a fortuitous match in the Morning Calm team. Their shared vision and understanding of 1909's mission led to an incredible partnership – including a significant build-out provided by Morning Calm, allowing 1909 to put more funds toward fulfilling their mission. This collaboration allows 1909 to retain creative control, ensuring the space maintains the same dynamic and comfortable atmosphere (aka good vibes) that has defined the brand and its community.
"We are immensely thankful for everyone who played a role in making this transformative move possible - our leadership team, dedicated staff, supportive board of directors, and the unwavering backing from our incredible members, partners and community supporters both near and far," said Danielle Casey, Co-Founder of 1909. "This journey reflects the resilience, hard work, and dedication of our members, who inspire us daily. We look forward to continuing to foster innovation and growth within our new, and larger, home."
🖤 🏴
1909 extends its heartfelt gratitude to the Knight Foundation and the Stacy and Keith Palagye Foundation for their generous contribution, which played a pivotal role in making this move possible.
P.S. Take a peek at the new digs with us here