Here’s what HQ Charlotte has in mind with its renovation

The organization was born locally after striking a deal with Packard Place to manage the Third Ward building. It’s an extension of the HQ Community brand that started in Raleigh and has spread across the Carolinas.

[Agenda story: Big changes are coming to Packard Place (including a new name)]

Some pretty extensive renovations are about to begin that will transform the first and second floors.

The first floor will open up to allow for more event space and create more conference rooms that coworkers could book or hold impromptu meetings in, HQ Charlotte director Chelsea Barrett said.

The idea is to give everyone else working in the building a reason to come down to the first floor, and to create a “wow” factor of the hustle and bustle of business as people walk in, she said.

There’s currently a company occupying space in part of the first floor, and they’re being relocated in the building to allow HQ to use the space for events. Charlotte Angel Fund and Pitch Breakfast are continuing to grow, and need more room. HQ Charlotte also hopes to host larger events like StartUp Weekend in house.

Image via HQ Charlotte

If all goes according to plan, HQ Charlotte would like to build a big, open staircase to link the first and second floors. This isn’t reflected in these designs.

The second floor would become the main coworking floor.

Currently this level is split between coworking and a private office suite. That company is being relocated as well.

Image via HQ Charlotte

The second floor will also be home to a larger kitchen space, consolidating the kitchenettes now found on other floors. Again, that’s meant to spur more serendipitous meetings.

Besides the open coworking floor, there will also be 2-, 4- and 6-person office spaces available for early stage startups. These offices will be built with movable partitions rather than drywall so spaces can grow with a company.

Work should begin soon.

Of course, everything is subject to change as the renovations progress. But these plans were announced Friday and HQ Charlotte hopes to get going quickly.

The timeline will be slowed a bit by the fact that it’s a working building, and people will have to move around to accommodate the construction. The goal is to have everything done by 2017.

HQ Charlotte has more up its sleeve as well.

The HQ network is preparing to launch an HR and benefits platform that its members can join.

HQ Charlotte is also finalizing a partnership that will shuttle its coworkers on carts from parking lots around Uptown.

The Agenda will bring you more details on these in the coming weeks.