(Kiln Co-Founder & Creative Director Leigh Radford – Originally from England, but Now Based in Utah – Pictured Visiting the Company’s New Bend Location | Photo Kiln Co-Work Space)
A potential hotbed for talent and innovation has emerged on Bend’s west side in the shape of the new “Kiln” co-working space, offering the opportunity for businesses to thrive in a dynamic, creative atmosphere.
Kiln — the company behind the flex-office style project — already has numerous locations across the Western U.S., and has transformed the 43,000-square-foot former Ibex Global call center space in the Old Mill District into a broad array of work and lifestyle options.
The latest addition to the brand, located at 501 SW Hill Street, officially opened May 18 and offers a diverse mix of private offices, open and resident desks, conference rooms and content creation studios, as well as wellness and lifestyle amenities designed to foster community and creativity. Various membership tier options are available depending on individual needs.
“Bend is full of people doing meaningful work and living inspired lives,” said Alexa Ford, senior community director and area manager for Oregon. “Our goal is to create a space that not only supports business growth but also fosters connection and balance. We’re so excited to open our doors to this community.”
Ford added that by blending workspace, wellness and community under one roof, Kiln Bend will reimagine the workday for entrepreneurs, remote workers, small businesses and enterprise teams alike.
The two-story location features fully furnished private offices, open and resident desks, state-of-the-art conference rooms and content creation studios — complemented by lifestyle amenities including a theater, refresh rooms, wellness zones and vibrant communal lounges designed to foster connection and creativity.
Each Kiln location — particularly geared toward sub-metro areas with strong economic hubs within larger regions — is uniquely designed to reflect the energy and culture of its host city, while offering access to a broader network of professionals and resources throughout the Western U.S.
Kiln currently operates more than 20 locations in Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon and Utah, with membership programs allowing participants to use any facility within the group.
The Bend site sits on 4.6 acres, with an ample 150-space parking lot and easy access off the Bond & Wilson roundabout, and is expected to become a key anchor among the Old Mill District’s diverse mix of businesses, restaurants and entertainment venues.
The company’s founders chose the venture’s name as symbolizing a “firing” experience, similar to how a kiln transforms clay. In that same fashion, Kiln aims to be a place that “shapes, accelerates and improves” the work and potential of startups and remote teams.
Kiln Bend Community Director Juli Somers said the company views its coworking spaces as a place that blends community and innovation to help professionals and teams grow and thrive — with a focus on fostering an environment of “curated community” and collaboration, acting as a “living library” for solving problems and fostering innovation among members.
In that same vein, she said Kiln Bend focuses on creating a “lifestyle-driven” environment designed to lift productivity, rather than just providing desk space, with all-inclusive amenities, creating a seamless blend of work and lifestyle. “This boutique coworking, office and event space offers cutting edge flexible workspace solutions for teams of all sizes, including round-the-clock access, numerous meeting rooms of different sizes, and future networking and educational events such as ‘lunch and learn.’
“We see this as an ideal fit for Bend’s creative and innovative business community, and plan to adapt and evolve in a way that continues to reflect the city’s values.”
She described the member kitchen as the “heartbeat” of the site, surrounded by comfortable gathering areas and a centerpiece floating vapor flame fireplace.
As part of adapting to the local environment, Kiln’s in-house design team used earth tones and textiles reflective of the region in the buildout, undertaken by Central Oregon’s SunWest Builders.
An on-site theater room is complemented by overflow space able to televise presentations and boost audience capacity to over 150 attendees.
There is space for fitness classes, a gym pod, private phone booths with desks, and cutting edge audio-visual amenities in multiple meeting rooms, along with restrooms and shower facilities.
Two wings feature couches and seating scattered throughout, offering the opportunity for breakout meetings, together with a makers’ space, including access to 3-D printing equipment, and a fully equipped podcast space.
The fully furnished facility is dog-friendly and includes upper-floor offices with mountain views and adjustable height desks, as well as bike storage on the ground floor and outdoor seating areas.
Somers added, “We offer a kind of ‘plug in and play’ scenario and maximum flexibility, with the potential for expansion as businesses grow.
“It is also a chance for remote workers to ease back into an office space scenario amid a lively collaborative environment.
“We are excited to be here and open, and look forward to continuing to evolve to refine opportunities and reflect the Bend community’s values.”
“This is the future of office space, illustrating a new way of doing business,” Beau Eastes, marketing director for the Old Mill District said. “Kiln is an ideal fit for Bend and for the Old Mill District and they have created spaces that go far beyond a typical office.
“These are places that inspire people to do their best work and build real community, while offering optimal flexibility. Everything is thoughtfully designed for the modern era, featuring the latest technology and promoting a synergy that adds to the energy.”
The Hill St. building, now hosting Kiln Bend, actually has a long association with the Old Mill District. It originally housed telecommunications fiber optic cable provider Tektronix — one of the development’s first tenants in the late 1990’s — before going on to accommodate major employer Ibex Global for over two decades from the year 2000.
Economic Development for Central Oregon (EDCO) Director of Marketing and Communications Ellen Wayte said, “We’re thrilled to welcome Kiln to Bend. Spaces like Kiln play an important role in supporting how people work today, offering flexibility, connection and a sense of place.
“Just as importantly, they’ll have event space that will bring people together, strengthening relationships and fostering the kind of collaboration that fuels a vibrant and resilient economic ecosystem in Central Oregon.”
The fully furnished flexible co-working space is designed to support teams of all sizes, from solo professionals to large enterprises, all complemented by front desk services, stocked kitchens, 24/7 access, mail services and month-to-month flexibility.
The property features multiple elevators for quick access throughout the building, abundant natural light, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and ample surface parking spaces, ideal for members who value convenience and accessibility.
Members also gain access to curated networking events and professional growth programs, along with all 26 of Kiln’s signature workspace products, from club desks to private offices.
Somers added, “Kiln Bend isn’t just an office, it’s a hub for innovation, collaboration and growth. Suitable for solo entrepreneurs, remote workers, or growing companies, it delivers the perfect blend of coworking flexibility and premium amenities.
“We are excited to welcome Bend’s renowned community of innovators and help elevate the work experience in a dynamic location.”
About Kiln:
Kiln is a flex-office community designed to elevate performance and lifestyle. The company’s leaders say that by bringing together thoughtfully curated workspaces with top-tier amenities, dynamic programming and a thriving member network, Kiln helps individuals and teams unlock their full potential. With locations across Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon and Utah, Kiln serves a diverse and growing ecosystem of remote professionals, startups and enterprise teams.
