Making Room for Connections: Wally’s Return to the Philadelphia Community

Sitting on the fourth floor Skyroom of the Indy Hall Clubhouse, surrounded by vibrant art from Philly artists, Wally opens up about the importance of Indy Hall to him: “It’s more about making connections than it is about just getting work done. I’m happier here because I can say hi to folks.”

Wally is a recent returnee to Philadelphia, most recently from LA. And like many other members, he recognizes that Indy Hall is a lot more than just a workspace — it’s a lifeline to the city’s vibrant spirit, and a gateway to meaningful human connections. 

Wally tells me he first encountered Indy Hall when he was in college, and at the time the space seemed like a “mysterious, cool, and artsy” hub, but he wasn’t sure how it fit into his life. 

Fast forward several years and some time living in LA, he was dissatisfied with the disconnected feeling of working in his apartment so he started searching for a way to be more connected. “Working remotely has been a difficult transition for me as someone who enjoys talking to people,” reflecting on how much he missed casual conversations and the energy that comes from being around people. 

It turns out, he wasn’t alone in that feeling, even within his own team! 

His employer – a fully remote software development and design agency called Tamman, that focuses on human-centered and inclusive design – approached Indy Hall about a way for Wally and some of his fellow Philadelphia coworkers to start coming to the Indy Hall Clubhouse once a week or so. 

Quickly, Wally and his teammates found that Indy Hall filled that “casual conversation” gap..and more!

Unlike other coworking spaces he’d tried, Wally found that Indy Hall’s community felt more personal, less transactional. He recalls having a meaningful conversation with Adam, one of Indy Hall’s community leaders, who introduced him to members with shared interests: 

“It was immediately more community-focused than anywhere else I’d been.” He found himself not just working, but genuinely connecting with people outside his own company, bonding over shared passions, and making new friends. 

With a smile on his face Wally sums up the Indy Hall community “Everyone in this building would pass the shopping cart test. There’s a vibe here,” with a smile he continues, “It’s energizing, and it just makes me happy.”

For Wally, Indy Hall is more than a place to work, whether it’s with his direct teammates or alongside other members working on their own thing. For him, it’s a symbol of Philly’s spirit of collaboration and community, a space where connections are valued as much as the work being done. 

And as he navigates his reintroduction to the city, he’s grateful to have found a place where he feels right at home. “There’s a beating heart in this space that I think is not common, and it’s one of the defining characteristics of what makes it a cool place to be.” 

Stopping by Indy Hall you might find Wally relaxing on the roof deck, taking in the serenity of the Philadelphia Skyline!