This week on SMU Stories, we sat down with Nick Clark, SMU alumnus, founder of Common Desk, and now co-founder of Stonethrow, a first-of-its-kind families-only private club coming to East Dallas.

Nick graduated from Southern Methodist University in 2005 with a degree in Real Estate Finance and began his career in commercial real estate, focusing on project leasing and management in the Dallas market. While at Pillar Commercial, he witnessed firsthand how the 2008–2009 recession reshaped the way companies used space and how people wanted to work.

Spotting an opportunity in that shift, Nick launched Common Desk in 2012, one of the early coworking concepts built around community, design, and hospitality. What began in Deep Ellum grew into 26 locations across the country, with its own coffee brand and a distinct culture that blended creativity with productivity.

In 2022, Common Desk was acquired by WeWork, where Nick continued to lead the brand for two years following the acquisition.

Today, he’s channeling that same vision for community into his newest venture, Stonethrow, a reimagined private club designed exclusively for families, slated to open in 2027.

Nick’s career reflects a unique blend of real estate insight, entrepreneurship, and a passion for building spaces that bring people together.