A coworking startup focused on women entrepreneurs is opening its first location, along Northeast Sandy Boulevard.

The space will open July 1 in the Jantzen Building, 401 N.E. 19th Ave., on the second floor.

Vida is a new entrant in the increasingly crowded coworking field dominated by WeWork, which is preparing for an initial public offering, and Portland-based CENTRL Office. Vida is seeking to set itself apart with a suite of services for working women, including on-site, drop-in child care and dedicated breastfeeding rooms.

Allyson Strowbridge of Ctrl+Shift+Space designed interior updates of the circa-1920 building space.
Vida was founded by Melanie Marconi, a local businesswoman who previously founded events and concierge companies. She plans to add two more Vida locations in the Portland area within the next year, and subsequently in other cities.

Vida raised $101,000 in an initial round of fundraising, according to a news release. The company is located in an opportunity zone, and Marconi is planning to open an opportunity zone fund by Sept. 1, advised by Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt and Perkins & Co.

About 50 members have joined Vida to date, including Bitch Media, World Pulse, Converge and 1906. The coworking company is looking to attract 150 members.

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Incoming tenants are busily signing leases for space in Menashe Properties‘ new office building in Portland’s West End.

Turner Construction, which served as general contractor for the development, has opted to take the sixth-floor penthouse for its corporate office. Turner has agreed to lease approximately 9,750 square feet, Menashe Properties principal Jordan Menashe said.

CENTRL, a co-working company, has taken the second and third floor and part of the first. On the ground floor, CENTRL offices will be integrated into the lobby.

Blue Star Donuts will have a sizable doughnut shop on the ground floor, after vacating its nearby location in the Twelve West building.

Apercen Partners, a California-based tax consulting firm that caters to wealthy clients, has signed a lease for the fifth floor. The fourth floor of the building at Southwest 12th Avenue and Morrison Street is still available.

The 62,381-square-foot building is the second major development by Menashe Properties after the Canopy by Hilton downtown hotel. The office building, which doesn’t have a brand name yet, was designed by LRS Architects.

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