Following the recommendation of Pedro, I only scheduled one visit in Lisbon during my 20 hour stay in the Portuguese capital. I was told to go and see CoworkLisboa located in the LX Factory (Fábrica LX) in the old industry district of Alcântara underneath the Ponte 25 de Abril.
Determined to walk the entire way from the hotel to my destination, I was not just fashionable late on a Friday afternoon and my semi-appointment with founder and owner of CoworkLisboa, Fernando Mendes, became a rather short talk since Fernando was off to have Friday night supper with his family. Luckily, I could continue the conversation with the manager, Laura Alves.
The LX Factory almost cannot be compared to anything - but since we like to understand things in matter of comparison it is sort of a nicer, more ambitious, newer and less stoned version of Danish Christiania. Here you will find lots of creative business, shops and showrooms, organic cafés, sushi bars, ice cream joints and Indian clothing. Mixed with the raw appearance of the graffiti covered old warehouses.
CoworkLisboa is located on the 4th floor of one of the central aisle streets with stunning views of the city. The place was established by Fernando 3 and half years ago, being the first of its kind in Lisbon. The coworking space is one of the biggest, I have visited, yet also one of the most original and thought-through. Looking around I found myself in something emerging as a fusion between an artist studio, a private living room, a cozy bar and a serious work space but, from my point of view, the mixture was successful.
Treated with organic strawberries and friendly smiles, I circled around for a while after talking with Laura, and in my quiet mind I added Lisbon to one of the places, I want to bring my work whenever I can. That is the sentiment you get, when visiting CoworkLisboa.
http://coworklisboa.pt
