WorkSmart: New co-working space in repurposed TD First National Bank building

September 29, 2021 Hot Copy

By Cathy DeDe, Chronicle Managing Editor

WorkSmart, owner-founder Christy Alexander’s shared professional co-working and meeting space, invites the public to an open house in the renovated First National Bank building at 237 Glen Street on Saturday, Sept. 25, from 9 to 11 a.m.

Advance registration is requested, for Covid compliance. Info: www.worksmartgf.com, or call 480-7849.

Christy Alexander is owner-founder of WorkSmart shared professional working & meeting space.

WorkSmart occupies approximately 6,000 square feet in the marble clad former bank building that dates from 1914.

Ms. Alexander said she worked closely with building owner David Dammerman to reveal architectural elements such as decorative arches and oversized arched windows hidden for decades.

They added a mezzanine to accommodate private offices.

“The building has history and there are scars. It’s okay to see that because it’s part of the building’s story,” Ms. Alexander said.

‘The Board Room’ — Meeting, workshop or event space on the second floor, features newly restored luxe wood panelled walls, floor-to-ceiling arched window and doorway, a marble fireplace — and an intricate herringbone wood floor, until recently covered by wall-to-wall carpet.

WorkSmart occupies the front part of the building, the original bank. The modern three-story addition at the back of the building is still available to rent.

WorkSmart initially opened on Warren Street in Civic Center Plaza. Ms. Alexander says it was “a good MVP” — “minimum viable product” — “a starting place to launch the business and introduce the concept of shared office space in this area.”

It’s membership-based, “like a gym,” Ms. Alexander said. Memberships range from $159 a month to use shared spaces, to $409 a month for a private office and 24/7 access. Drop-in passes cost $25 a day.

Fees include “all the amenities,” she said, such as WiFi.

“It’s not just a desk and a chair,” Ms. Alexander says. “It’s a membership community. I’m making sure professionals have what they need to succeed, connections, resources, tools, and collaborations with others in the community.”

She offers gatherings like a “Breakfast of Champions” goal setting event, as Covid allows. “We get to be part of watching each others businesses grow.”

Before! — Prior to renovations, architectural elements of the historic First National Bank on Glen Street — familiarly known at “The White Bank” — were largely hidden behind drop ceilings and modern offices. View is looking west, from the back wall of the now-Worksmart shared office space toward the front door onto Glen Street. Photo provided

She said she has space for more than 20 offices, with “a couple left to fill.”

“A lot of the marketing is educating the community on the space and what we’re here for. People who come from New Jersey or New York City, come looking for us because they are used to it. The way people work is being reimagined. We want to be a part of that, to bring that to Glens Falls.”

Owner David Dammerman’s renovations tale

“The First National Bank building is an iconic feature of downtown Glens Falls,” says David Dammerman, who bought the white marble-clad Roman Revival-style former bank building in 2018. It dates from 1915.

“In giving the building new life, it was important to honor its history,” he told The Chronicle.

As renovations began, he said, “One look above the ceiling revealed yet another ceiling. And beyond that were inspiring architectural details — beautiful cast stone work and the grand arched windows that had been covered since 1969.

“Some of the damage done in earlier renovations was more than a little disheartening. As we dug further, we uncovered the opportunity to reimagine the boardroom overlooking Glen Street.

“Above its drop ceiling were a vaulted ceiling that the construction crew was confident it could restore, and more windows to uncover.

“No part of the renovation was easy.

“With every step came decisions about how far to go with restoration and puzzles about how the new construction would mesh with the old.

“Where we found conditions that would be extremely difficult to change — like the old cash vault — we chose to highlight it as a feature of the space.

“Reimagining the lobby for WorkSmart’s combination of private offices and open spaces required some creative solutions from the construction team. We couldn’t be happier with the result.

“The building is a natural fit for WorkSmart,” Mr. Dammerman says, “where clients can give their businesses a very professional location and enjoy all that downtown Glens Falls has to offer.”

Beyond WorkSmart, “there will be an additional 15,000 square feet available in the remainder of the building,” Mr. Dammerman said. — Cathy DeDe

Glens Falls Chronicle Serving the Glens Falls/Lake George region; Warren, Washington and northern Saratoga counties since 1980

WorkSmart: New co-working space in repurposed TD First National Bank building

Owner David Dammerman’s renovations tale

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