This week our first special report on the booming coworking sector—yes booming here, not just elsewhere. WeWork has two OC locations, rumored to be looking for a third—Bascom Group-owned Premier Business Centers leads with over 20, list p. 13.
Ryan Chase is a third-generation commercial developer and a principal at Santa Ana-based S&A Management, which just dipped its toe in the shared-space waters—leasing 1,500 square feet at the historic Hervey Finley building, built in 1908, in downtown Santa Ana to graphic designer Sarah Armstrong, who developed it into The Batch, a creative-coworking space on the second floor of Hervey in DTSA.
“From my perspective, you arbitrage a little of the risk,” Chase said. “And Sarah brings in this creative class, part of that cool arts community—same idea as the food halls … brings a young, entrepreneurial spirit into the mix. It’s collisions being created. That’s the concept behind shared space.” Our deep dive details 67 locales where collisions occur daily, p. 16, and a look at OC shared-space trailblazer, Aliso Viejo-based TechSpace, p. 1.
Heather Stratman’s Thursday departure as CEO of the Association of California Cities-Orange County seemed abrupt. She got busy in her two short years there, forging public-private partnerships—teaming with Irvine Co. consigliere Dan Young to lead Orange County Housing Finance Trust through passage of AB 448 to enable enough shelters for all of OC’s homeless population. Stratman’s a pro. All the best, Heather.
South Coast Repertory kicks off its 55th year of Tony-winning theater on Sept 1. Paula Tomei’s been managing director since 1995, arrived in OC in the ’60s. “I’ve watched the art scene grow up with the county,” Tomei said. She’s quick to credit the business community. “Always strong support—this (board) class follows a strong legacy.” Pacific Life EVP, COO Adrian Griggs joins the SCR board. Samuel Tang, managing partner of Irvine-based private-equity power TriGuard Management, is the new board boss. SCR’s first “ground-up” play is a month-long run of “Sense and Sensibility.” Tomei said “sales are brisk.”
Wondrous colleague Carol Fox and the folks at Crohn’s & Colitis OC hold their seventh annual Bocce Ball Invitational Sept. 7 … raised $400K years 1-6 to seek a cure for the two inflammatory-bowel diseases that afflict one in 200 Americans. Bocce, Italian bowling, great fun. Join us at Il Fornaio Irvine, https://bocce18.auction-bid.org … And be warned, you CPAs at Smith Dickson—uneasy lies the crown. Team OCBJ –a disputed fourth—has recruited new blood.
