Ewing Ford Properties owner JD Haase (center), The Büro Cowork Community Manager Hayley Hoback (right) and Ewing Ford Properties Administrative Assistant Valerie Russell have been preparing the Landmark building in downtown Bowling Green for the launch of The Büro office space.

Almost by accident, the coworking space concept popular in Nashville and other larger cities is coming to downtown Bowling Green as soon as next month.

Ewing Ford Properties owner JD Haase bought the Landmark building at 911 College St. last year and quickly found a market for workers needing small or even temporary quarters.

“We kept having people come by needing space to lease, but they didn’t need 3,800 square feet,” Haase said, referring to the size of the Landmark building’s second floor. “These people were coming by, and we didn’t have what they needed.”

But they soon will, thanks to the efforts of Haase and his staff to prepare the Landmark building to become Bowling Green’s first coworking space, called The Büro, a German phrase for office.

“It’s a trend in larger cities,” Haase said of the coworking concept that brings various independent contractors, freelancers and work-at-home professionals together in a shared space.

Coworking communities such as those in the nationwide Industrious network, which has locations in Nashville, bring together a variety of workers who can share common areas like kitchens and printers, thus cutting expenses while also creating synergy with nearby workers.

“It’s ideal for startup businesses that have outgrown their home offices,” Haase said. “Or maybe you just need a room for temporary projects. You can lease space to work out of for a month or two.”

Such flexibility is what sets The Büro apart. Hayley Hoback, the coworking space’s community manager, said the 3,800-square-foot area overlooking Fountain Square Park will include one-person offices and larger spaces that can accommodate as many as four workers.

All tenants will have access to a conference room and communal work spaces for printing and copying.

Haase, who estimates he will have invested $500,000 in renovating the space by the time it opens in June, said The Büro can accommodate up to 25 total workers and as many as 11 different companies.

He sees it as a good fit for a downtown that is undergoing a revival.

“This ties in with the energy downtown,” said Haase, who pointed to downtown residential developments such as The Vue and Lenox Place as evidence that the inner city is ready for a coworking space.

“I hope this sparks more energy downtown and that it becomes contagious,” he said. “The thing about this concept is that it’s huge for people who want to walk to work.”

Haase, whose Ewing Ford Properties owns apartments in Owensboro and has done commercial developments in several states, believes The Büro is a great fit for a city that is experiencing rapid growth.

“The chamber of commerce is ecstatic about it,” he said. “If they have a new company coming to town and need temporary space for them, we’ll have it.”

Haase said such companies can lease space at The Büro for prices starting at $300 per month. Although renovations are continuing and Haase isn’t planning a grand opening until September, he is already getting interest from potential tenants.

“We already have interest in one of our four-person offices overlooking the square,” he said.

Hoback said she has had interest from travel agents and Realtors who may not have adequate room in their homes.

Such diverse office space is a welcome addition to downtown, according to Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce Vice President for Marketing and Communications Phillip Carter.

“The Büro will contribute to the vibrancy of our downtown square with activity that stimulates economic development and supports other small businesses in the area,” Carter said in a text message. “The chamber has been supportive of a coworking space location in the downtown area for several years and is excited to see this concept come to fruition.”

Haase said the renovation of the second floor is only part of a facelift for the historic Landmark building that was once home to a J.C. Penney department store.

He said improved lighting and a new mural on the first floor next to Spencer’s Coffee will give new life to the building.

“We’re going to refurbish the common area,” he said. “You’ll be able to see inside the building and see the mural. At night, this building is dark. We’re trying to change that.”