Work. Play. Gather.

Constructed in 1853, the historic horse barn behind Willoughby Workspaces at The Charlton Abbott is one of the oldest structures in Lake County.

Thanks to an extensive renovation by owners Ken and Lisa Boyd, it shares a new distinction: the hottest venue in town.

With rough-hewn wood beams and original floors offset by posh chandeliers and historic equine oil paintings (a playful nod to its past), the stalls and loft that once housed horses and hay now provide the backdrop for memorable gatherings, from showers and rehearsal dinners to birthday parties, celebrations of life, charity fundraisers, poker nights, bourbon tastings and corporate celebrations for its members.

“The main floor seats 90,” says Lisa, who notes they can help members plan every detail of their celebration, from the caterer to the florist. “The barn has become a year-round venue. We’ve already started booking up for holiday parties, whether in the barn or main home.”

Thoughtfully Curated Workspaces

The Boyds spent years bringing back this Victorian estate, just steps from downtown Willoughby to its former glory, reinventing it as a modern mixed workspace.

“We put together a host of amenities to enable highly functional workflow, from secure Wi-Fi to a media center with high-tech A/V and green board tech and full-service on-site café,” says Lisa. “You can rent an office space or conference room for $25 an hour or join as a member for the ultimate in flexibility and convenience.”

She reports they’ve introduced a monthly co-working package of $119 for unlimited use of the space, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. They enter the building through a secure key fob and can add a private mailbox if they wish.

“We have three office spaces upstairs that are available,” she says. “Each comes furnished and ranges in size from 8-by-13 feet to 13-by-14 feet. People here like to gather at our on-site café with gourmet coffee, tea and light snacks. Our members come from a range of backgrounds. On any given day you’ll find nutritionists, attorneys, art therapists, financial planners and massage therapists seeing their clients.” 

Reinvigorating History with Fresh Ideas

When the reimagined Abbott opened in 2021, Lisa says they couldn’t have suspected how popular it would become with community members.

“Our vision to provide the community a restored legacy, a reinvigorated piece of history that’s also a place for people to network, thrive and grow together, has really come to life,” she says. “With more people than ever working from home, we provide the perfect alternative to get more done. Every inch of Willoughby Workspaces is meant to foster collaboration and productivity. We have lots of gatherings on the docket this fall and winter, such as sip and paint parties, happy hours and wellness workshops. You can check our website or socials for a complete listing.”

Willoughby Workspaces at The Charlton Abbott is located at 37903 Euclid Avenue, in Willoughby, steps from downtown. Student memberships are available. There’s also an opportunity for a bakery or gourmet coffee provider to take over the café operations. Call 202-221-8986 or visit WilloughbyWorkspaces.com for more information.