Office Space: The Henry’s shared workspace serves unexpected tenants 

Less than a decade ago, The Henry building was one of the worst in downtown Dublin.

The historic structure – built in 1898 by its namesake, riverboat captain Robert C. Henry – had seen better days. The 14,000-square-foot building had once been home to banks, offices and even Dublin’s first Piggly Wiggly grocery store. But by 2018, The Henry’s lower floor housed a furniture outlet, one of downtown’s dwindling storefronts, while the upper level had fallen into disrepair.  

However officials with Curry Companies saw potential. With the city investing in streetscape projects and parking improvements, the time was perfect to refurbish and repurpose the landmark facility. 

“It was one of the ugliest buildings in Dublin when we started,” said company president Will Curry. “The upstairs had been shuttered and was used for storage, like most buildings downtown. Pigeons were living up there.” 

The Henry was converted into a multi-use commercial space, anchored on the concept of shared office space, fully-equipped work stations, conference rooms and communal areas that could be leased long or short term, that could be rented by large employers or parceled out to smaller operations. 

The 7,000 square-foot second floor was initially leased to government human resources contractor GovStrive. Citizens Bank claimed the corner office. Bridal gown shop Bar Bridal recently claimed another portion of the building facing Jackson Street. About 1,500 square feet remain dedicated to co-working space with five office suites, a conference room, break area and open work space. 

“It was a stretch,” Curry said of investing in such a business model. “Dublin is such a traditional real estate market. A lot of businesses want to own their own building or operate with a long term lease. But there are a lot of businesses that just need a few feet, a place to put a computer and not have to worry about utilities.”  

But the idea tapped into a new line of customers. Curry said the spaces have proved popular, and while some months are better than others, there has been a proven need for short term office space or quick access to a conference room, whether from out of town lawyers in need of a room for a deposition or a young entrepreneur in need of a physical address to receive mail and meet with clients. 

“Its been a good space for start-up businesses, creative workers who need a place to focus or just small teams of two or three people,” he said. “It does hit a pretty big vein.” 

Recent developments have unveiled another market for the space – a quick, temporary location for businesses in need of a hurried move. 

With GovStrive moving its operations across Jackson Street to the Stubbs building, another historic property restored by Curry Companies, the second story of The Henry was a natural location to house the Dublin-Laurens County Chamber of Commerce and Development Authority while its building is under renovation. After The Courier Herald’s headquarters was damaged in recent storms, the lower level conference room has served as the home of the newspaper’s editorial department. 

“That spurred the conversation of when you have a disaster, a fire or a flood, the space can serve as a good stopgap. We can work with speed and serve as a quick alternative,” Curry said. 

With the chamber and development authority to soon return to its Bellevue office the upstairs of The Henry will be in need of new tenets. Extending the multiuse space could be in the plans.  

“Its been a unique thing,” Curry said.