Fort Monroe is home to 757 Makerspace’s second workshop for local makers. The 12,733 square foot Northside Campus opened earlier this year furthering the reach of the original 28,000 square foot facility in Norfolk that opened in 2013.

757 Makerspace: Hampton is a place where makers can bring their ideas to life. It serves as a business incubator and co-working studio for local makers and producers supporting the region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. It is outfitted with a wide selection of tools and specialized areas including a wood shop, metal shop, sewing lab, electronics lab, and more.

The Makerspace hosts various educational workshops to nurture and encourage “maker” entrepreneurship. And, to foster the next generation of makers, students from Hampton City School’s Summer Business Institute (SBI) program are hosted at the Makerspace twice a week over the summer. Local artists, engineers, inventors, and fabricators are invited to become members giving them access to equipment and workshop/studio space.

The Economic Development Authority of the City of Hampton and 757 Makerspace were awarded a $100,000 Virginia Statewide Business District Resurgence Grant from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development to expand its presence to the Virginia Peninsula and better serve the entire Hampton Roads region. To date, 757 Makerspace: Hampton! has 34 members, seven businesses call it home, and a dozen classes are offered per month.

“This has been a great opportunity to partner with the Hampton Economic Development Authority, Hampton City Schools, the Fort Monroe Authority and the City of Hampton to expand opportunities for artists and makers in the region. The funding provided through the Resurgence Grant has allowed us to acquire some specialty tools that we have had our eye on for a long time. We cannot wait to share this space with new members on the Peninsula side, as well as with our current members across the water.”

Beau Turner, 757 Makerspace CEO

Interested in touring the space? Sign up for a public tour today.

Photo Credit: 757 Makerspace