A day spent in Kindred in Hammersmith

Founded in 2018 by Anna Anderson, Hammersmith’s Kindred has an interesting mix of co-working space, social and events space, a restaurant and a bar. Now 5 years in the running, it has become a hub for the area; a place to work, socialise and unwind. On the search for ultra-flexible workspaces (i.e. drop in whenever you want without a contract), I spent the day here to get a feel of everything they have on offer.

9.30am

We arrived at Kindred, located literally outside of Hammersmith Station it was a relatively easy commute which made for a great start to the day. A stunning period building complete with red brick and fairy-tale staircases, the venue looks like something from the front of a postcard. Walking through the front door and immediately greeted by warm smiles and a gorgeous tiered seating area and feature piece receptionist desk, you can instantly see the emphasis on style here. We were given a brief tour of the building whilst the community manager ran us through all of the exciting events and activations the space had coming up, boasting a tailored programme of cultural events open for all to enjoy.

We settled into a window corner to start our day’s work; comfy seating, a sturdy desk and barista coffee available on tap, having worked from home for the last few months this was definitely leveling up my workspace game. I could instantly notice the improvement in my focus, supported by the high speed internet, much faster than what I have at home.

11.00am

A well received break, I was invited to join the Friday morning coffee time, which as someone just dropping in for the day felt like a very welcoming gesture. Settling down on their plush sofas with an oat latte in hand, this was a great opportunity to connect with other co-workers, facilitated by the Kindred community manager. We started with general introductions, conversations around each other’s businesses naturally flowed and before long, advice was being swapped, questions asked and a sharing of experiences blossomed. When I think of shared co-working and shared office space these are the kind of situations that spring to mind; an opportunity to learn from each other and offer professional support. A 30-minute break could have gone on for hours but we diligently returned to our spots to continue with work.

1.00pm

Having already perused the menu online, this was the bit I had been looking forward to all morning. Underneath the multi-level work and event space, Kindred’s onsite restaurant The Cellar has a scrumptious menu of small plates, large plates and poke bowls, a great way to refuel during the day. Open to all, there was anotable outside trade from local workers coming in for a decadent Friday lunch. We went for a vegan feast; Padron Peppers, Manouri & Yogurt Dip; Roasted Squash & “Feta” Salad, Spinach, Sorrel, Walnuts & Pomegranate Molasses; Crispy Artichoke Flower, Charcoal Activated Cauliflower Puree, Yellow Courgettes, Sorrel & Chervil Reduction. The Padron peppers were so good we ordered a second plate and the vegan feta tasted so much like the real thing. We also treated ourselves to a cheeky lunchtime cocktail; The Estes Margarita. A sangria-like twist on a Tommy’s, with Curado Blue Agave Tequila, fresh pink grapefruit and lemon, organic agave syrup, finished with an intriguing fruity Bobal red wine top, it certainly packed an unexpected punch.

2.30pm

Deciding on a change of scenery, we headed upstairs for our afternoon session, settling in the beautiful saloon. With meeting rooms, alcoves and a beautifully decorated Library leading off from the space, there were plenty of work options here and I bunkered down on an armchair and small coffee table. Generally being somewhat less productive in the afternoon, the new environment helped rejuvenate me for this second work stint. During our afternoon sitting we were lucky enough to meet Kindred founder Anna Anderson who gave us a full tour and talked us through the history and inspiration behind the brand. Previously a social worker, Kindred is a concept with community and collaboration at its heart, evolving over time and due to demand, becoming the flexible space that it now is.

5.00pm

Friday is certainly the day to work from Kindred. Not only did we have our lovely coffee morning catch-up, we were invited to the 5pm Friday drinks in the Cellar. Seeing the same familiar faces that we had chatted to throughout our visit, we had been there for less than 8 hours but already felt like part of the family. Finishing off the day with a glass of wine and light-hearted conversation over flickering candles, it felt like the perfect way to sign off our day, and indeed the working week.

At just £13 for a co-working day pass, Kindred really is exceptional value. A truly stunning building with an emphasis on aesthetics, the variety of spaces available means there is a setting for every type of worker. A focus on community, there are lots of opportunities to come together with other workers, ideal for freelancers like myself who miss the social element of a fixed workplace.

Workspace Times: 9am – 5pm

Address: Kindred, Queen Caroline Street, London W6 9BW

Website: https://www.wearekindred.com

Written by Jordan Crowley

Photos courtesy of Kindred