The Brass Factory — Local services in New York

TL;DR: Overall, it's a pleasant place to work. But, I'm giving it 2 stars due to consistently laggy internet for video calls and poor customer service, especially if you're not in the manager’s good books.

I spent a full year at Brass. The place is spacious, with natural light and plants everywhere. I’ve met a lot of amazing people here, few of whom have become my friends. Despite these positives, the space lacks one crucial component: reliable internet! Since February of this year, the internet has been consistently poor. The manager has consulted with a few different internet experts during this period, so I recognize her efforts. Yet, the situation never improved. On the few occasions I raised my concerns, I almost felt like I was at fault for complaining (??). The manager would suggest the issue was with my laptop, or my desk location, or advise me to use the conference rooms with hard-wired connections (which, by the way, aren’t always reliable). It became a running joke among a few of us that every time someone posted on our Slack channel about the poor wifi, the post would mysteriously vanish (aka deleted). We would call it "wifi censorship." Over time, the atmosphere turned sour.

When I tried to leave due to the unsatisfactory internet, the manager insinuated legal action if I didn’t adhere to the 30-day termination notice (even tho bad internet is like the basics). Wanting to avoid further hassle, I complied. The manager then promised to install a hard-wire connection at my desk, but when I didn’t retract my termination, the manager denied ever making that offer. Overall, my take through my experience (and a bunch of others) is if you somehow aren’t liked by the manager, you will end up experiencing a weird vibe. And there are other google/yelp reviews that seem to show this as well.

That said, if your work is more asynchronous, or you only have occasional video calls, you might not face these issues. If that sounds like you, then Brass might be a...

Words cannot fully capture my experience here, but I will attempt. Coming from the far away land of California, I didn't know if I could find a home in NYC. But as soon as I stepped foot into The Brass Factory, I knew that I had not only found my place, but also my people.

The elegant draping of greenery, the abundance of natural light, the contagiousness of the intellectually curious members (especially those working on ZK) -- it just clicked. The physical space is wonderfully aesthetic to the eye, as well as highly conducive to collaboration and productivity.

But this review wouldn't be complete without the mentioning of the exceptional staff. They have an incredible ability to foster a sense of community amongst the diverse mosaic of strangers in the space. Shout-out to my personal favorite staff member who made me feel welcomed from the moment we locked eyes. I was both impressed and delighted that you noticed I was a newcomer, and thoroughly enjoyed our conversation thereafter -- spanning topics such as cultural heritage, intellectual pursuits, and suggestions on who else to meet at The Brass Factory. thank you for making my time here so special, you know who you are.

I HIGHLY recommend The Brass Factory. If you decide to partake in the magical experience of working in The Brass Factory, you will get $h*t done. It is a magical experience. I am really looking forward to returning to...

I've been working from the Brass Factory for about 8 months and have had a wonderful experience. Unlike other coworking spaces that can feel sterile and cold, the Brass Factory is welcoming and has a real community. The office is beautifully curated, with corners for quiet reading and lots of glass meeting rooms. Managing a remote team, I am typically on 4-5 hours of video calls per day. Across the main areas, conference rooms and phone booths, the internet has been reliable and fast in my experience. There is always a phone booth available for a call, which wasn't the case at other coworking spaces I've worked from.

The staff could not be nicer, always showing a ton of care for each individual member. Introductions are easily made and the membership base is smart, diverse and kind. This is a place to get serious work done while surrounded by likeminded individuals. After spending time at The Farm, WeWork, Industrious, Soho House, The Yard, Mindspace and others, it's by far the best coworking experience...