‘Level’ing up: Co-working and event center meets needs of small businesses in Belton
By Rachel Strickland | Photos by Brandy Cruz and courtesy of PRISCILLA LINNEMANN
It’s no secret that the COVID-19 pandemic changed the way that society thinks about working and productivity. Employers began to offer work-from-home opportunities, people found themselves with more time on their hands, and many channeled their entrepreneurial spirit into side-hustles from the comfort of their own homes. Because of the shift to work-from-home culture and virtual start-ups, people no longer rent commercial space like they used to, but the need for a professional office space has not completely gone by the wayside. Enter Level 3 Co-working and Event Center, which offers people the opportunity to flexibly rent office space that fits their needs, conveniently located in downtown Belton.
Michael and Priscilla Linnemann were looking for a second location for their real estate company, Linnemann Realty, when they found an empty lot in downtown Belton that was perfect. But after beginning the design process, they realized that the spot offered a lot more space than they needed for their real estate office alone. Not wanting to waste space, they began to brainstorm. When they met with their architect, who had an office in a co-working facility in Austin, the spark was ignited, and the idea for Level 3 was born. After months of delayed construction due to the pandemic, they opened their doors in November of 2022.
“Many people are running their businesses off their laptops, and they don’t need a commercial space,” Linnemann says. “And that’s what we offer.”
The benefit of working from a place like Level 3 is that small businesses owners no longer have to meet clients at home or at a coffee shop — they can bring them to their rented office.
He says that Level 3 offers an “impressive office without having all of the overhead and the long-term commitments that you get with a regular office.”
While his realty company takes up one of the offices at Level 3, Linnemann says there is a great mix of other businesses hosting there, including an Episcopalian church that holds their Sunday services in the large training room.
“It’s a super flexible space,” he says. “You can use it for just about anything.”
There are several tiered memberships at Level 3 that offer a variety of flexible options. Clients pay a fee — monthly, weekly, or even daily — which allows them access to the conference and training rooms, internet, and professional machines. Linnemann recalls how a group walked into Level 3 unannounced, needing a place to hold a meeting.
“We rented them our conference room by the hour,” he explains. “And so, five people who were desperately looking for a place to sit down and have a business meeting with professional business equipment and good internet were able to drop in, use the room immediately, and then just leave with no further commitment.”
There are five private offices at Level 3, as well as six desks that can be rented out. While the desks aren’t in an office, they are still private.
“You can put your desktop computer there, pictures of your family, and whatever else you want,” Linnemann says. “And nobody else can use that desk.”
There is also the option to have a floating membership where clients don’t have an assigned office or desk, but they have access to the building and amenities and can use the various sitting areas. Clients can also sign up for a virtual membership, which acts as a kind of professional post office box. This is for people who want to have a commercial street address, but don’t need to use the facilities at Level 3.
Not only is Level 3 a co-working facility, but it’s also an impressive event center. Linnemann says that the third-floor room is a great space for hosting large training events and can accommodate anywhere from 60-80 people. But he says that the room is also perfect for parties because of the beautiful balcony that oversees downtown Belton. People have hosted bridal and baby showers there and are already booking their company Christmas parties for the 2023 holiday season. In fact, the space is so beautiful that there is already a wedding on the books. Linnemann says they have a full bar and a private club liquor license at Level 3, and people are welcome to bring in their own food or caterer.
“We’ll help you plan your events from start to finish,” he says. “We’ve got a great staff on hand who can help anybody put any event together.”
Although Level 3 has been open less than a year, Linnemann is hopeful for the future, with several businesses hosting and a calendar filling up quickly.
“We’ve had a great time with it,” Linnemann says. “It’s going take a little while to gain steam, but I think once it does, it’s going be a popular destination for people.”
Level 3
Address: 202 E. Central Ave., Belton
Phone: 254-630-8753
Website: level3belton.com
