05 July,2016 08:20 AM IST | | Krutika Behrawala
Here's why a soon-to-open outpost of a hot nightspot and a newly-launched design studio spell good news for co-workers
Private meeting booths that come with conference call facilities
As you step into Fun Republic Social, that launches later this week in Andheri, you'll be forgiven for thinking that you've entered the set of a soap opera. Kitschy self-patterned floral fabric wallpapers cover the 6,000 sq-ft space, adorned with stain glass booth dividers, crystal chandeliers and other antique market-inspired furniture. The eccentricity is the work of designers Faizan Khatri and Samir Raut of studio eight twentythree. "With each new Social, we try to push the boundaries of the brand and the experience we've created. This one is inspired by its neighbourhood, paying homage to the epic struggle of the silver screen. While we're excited to be moving in to Fun Republic, I'm thrilled that we're finally moving in to Andheri," says Riyaaz Amlani, CEO & MD Impresario Entertainment & Hospitality.
Private meeting booths that come with conference call facilities
Some privacy, please
If you are an Andheri resident, bored of working from home or a café, the outpost would be a perfect spot to perch over your laptop, since it features 80 devoted workspace seats (largest among the other Socials) along with wall-to-wall high-speed Wi-Fi, stationery supplies, printing and courier facilities. Another interesting addition are the three dedicated meeting booths with telephone conferencing facilities, unique to this outpost. And a member can redeem the amount on food and drinks, besides getting access to all Social workspaces in the country.
A section of the 50-feet-long bar
Lights, camera, theatre
Social has also jumped the fray of city restaurants doubling up as performance venues. In fact, it goes a step further by adding a stage area, with curtains et al, which will witness plays and dance performances too. "We wanted to provide an area that aspiring film and television makers, freelancers, and budding comedians can use to showcase their talent," adds Amlani.
The stage area
The big bar theory
Touted as the biggest among all its outlets in the city, the 50-feet long and 450 sq ft bar will serve over 10 new concoctions such as gin-based Thai Maalish infused with coconut water and galangal, Chatkara featuring vodka with homemade pani puri water and imli chutney and a rum-ginger-amla blend in GM Quarter along with eats like Applam Chaplam Papadum (different fryums with two chutneys) and DIY Prawn Chettinad on Khari.
OPENS ON July 8, 9 am to 1 am (workspace timings: 9 am to 6 pm)
AT Third floor, Fun Republic, Shah Industrial Estate, New Link Road, Andheri (W).
CALL 60226044
Co-working Cost Rs 5,000 per month (redeemable on food and beverages)
Design inspired in Lower Parel
Have you dreamt of working out of an office in the company of eclectic furniture pieces, gramophones, book racks that resemble a boat and cushy sofas? If yes, and if you are a freelancer in search of a workspace, then your wish may come true at the newly-opened Meuble India in Lower Parel. Located in a loft in Raghuvanshi Mills, the 3,000 sq ft space is a furniture studio that includes a co-working space and a café. It also features a conference room on the mezzanine floor. The launch marks the debut collaboration of five design enthusiasts, Chirag Chopra, Hardik Naik, Parikshit Deshmukh, Harshad Jadhav and Bhushan Kapase.
The cafe
Crunch numbers with croissants
While the 24-year-old Chopra is in charge of the manufacturing process, 26-year-old Naik, a professional architect, looks into the furniture design. Deshmukh, Jadhav and Kapase handle the brand's marketing strategy and business development. "We wanted it to be more of an interactive space instead of a monotonous, regular furniture store. The co-working space is strategically placed at the southeast corner of the studio with a separate entry and exit. It comprises 10 working tables and a conference room. Currently, the entire studio is not open as a co-working space but with increasing number of co-workers, we will have the entire space for co-working," says Kapase. You can also satiate your afternoon cravings by relishing croissants and sandwiches with varieties of coffee from the in-house café, featuring a menu created by Chef Pius from Norway, which will also open to public by the month-end.
Furniture section
The wooden way
The studio displays export-quality wooden furniture, whose designs are inspired by the founders' travels to global expos. "We want to introduce affordable Indian classic, contemporary and industrial furniture. We believe that people love to have simple, sleek and unique furniture pieces at homes due to space constraints. So, we look at every piece as individual sculpture, which is handcrafted using pure wood at our plant in Jodhpur. We have a range of furniture specially designed for hospitality, bungalows and corporate offices," he sums up.
The space offers a private desk section and a couch corner for co-workers
TIME 10 am to 7 pm
AT Unit no 2A/2B, second floor, Building no 11/12, Raghuvanshi Mansion, Raghuvanshi Mill Compound, SB Marg, Lower Parel (W).
CALL 8879778577
CO-WORKING COST Rs 1,000 per day (inclusive of food, free Wi-Fi and conference room access)
