AREA Madrid: A coworking space with plants, pups & perfect vibes

If you found yourself working an office job in early 2020, you’ve probably had the same flurry of questions in the past two years as I have: Will the office shut? Will we work from home forever? What does the future of work look like? How will company culture survive???

And while we don’t quite have all the answers yet, one thing is for sure: the pandemic has ushered in a new era of hybrid working that is here to stay. When we at NakedMadrid (and VeraContent) closed our physical doors in summer 2021, we opened many non-physical ones: flexible working, more time with our pets at home, and a membership to a very cool coworking app called Croissant.

Croissant is an app that allows you to cowork in sick spaces in almost every major city around the world. Just in Madrid, we have about 11, and they all have their unique perks.

After trying out a good number of them, though—alongside many normal, non-Croissant cafes—a favorite of mine has emerged. It’s called AREA Madrid, and it’s perfect.

Owned by two friendly Brits called Hugo and Jack, the space was renovated top to bottom to become a coworker’s oasis: big, bright spaces with high ceilings, plants and trees freckling every nook and cranny, a gorgeous kitchen area, a lofted chill-out zone with couches and bean bags, meeting rooms, soundproof “phone booths”…. But the best part, of course, is that there is at least one dog on the premises at all times, namely Hugo and Jack’s pup, Rufi. The immaculate vibes are further improved by an excellent playlist and free coffee and tea. My membership allows me to sit in the “hot desk” area (that is, open tables that aren’t assigned to anyone in particular), but you can also pay for a fixed desk in other areas.

For those not enrolled in Croissant, the price for a hot desk is €180/month, which includes unlimited access Monday-Friday 9am-7pm. The price for a fixed desk is €240/month, which includes a personal space that’s all yours and 24-hour (!!!) access Mon-Fri to the facilities. Both options include the benefits I enjoy as a Croissant user: super-fast wifi, meeting room use, private lockers, showers, bike parking, printing, anti-Covid ventilation, 24/7 security, and more.

And while they’re still a pretty young company, they’re starting to host some really cool events, from yoga sessions to indie film screenings and more. If you’re looking to book a space for an event—either for yourself or your company—you can chat to them about it here.

Either way, enjoy these photos of my favorite place to work in Madrid.

AREA Madrid

  • Address: C/ Tomás Bretón, 50
  • Metro: Delicias
  • Instagram: @area_madrid  Website: www.areamadrid.es/




Somos Coworkers: Ditch your noisy local café for a proper coworking space

If you’re a freelancer—or generally someone in constant search of the perfect workspace—you know the struggle of finding a coworking space that checks all the boxes: strong wifi, plenty of space, and an environment conducive to concentration (I’m looking at you, loud hipster cafes).

Somos Coworkers checks all those boxes and more (“more” mainly refers to very cute pets; more on that later). Located in the west part of the city near Ventas, the bright space is enormous, clean, and perhaps most importantly, draws a crowd of hardworking professionals.

The main coworking space

The main coworking space

 

Perfect for grabbing a bite al fresco

Perfect for grabbing a bite al fresco

I first got a taste of the space with my coworker Joss. We were warmly welcomed by cofounder Kimberly Neuterman, who showed us around, offered us some (unlimited) coffee or tea in the newly renovated kitchen, and got us all settled in with high-speed wifi (very important).

The space is split up into three main areas: the kitchen, which is fully equipped; the indoor coworking space; and the outdoor courtyard (pictured above).

Kitchen equipped with two microwaves, an oven, stove, fridge, coffeemaker...

Kitchen equipped with two microwaves, an oven, stove, fridge, coffeemaker…

Long-term, Kimberly plans to use this space and the connected—currently unused—space to host community-building events for freelancers. Whether you’re a writer, photographer, consultant, graphic designer… there’s a place for you in this space to work, learn, and share ideas.

Need a private meeting room? Somos Coworkers has you covered there too.

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Don’t be offput by the lack of decor—they’re new in town!

And most importantly, members share this space with THESE ADORABLE FURRY FRIENDS.

So sleepy, so zen.

So sleepy, so zen.

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So….the opposite

And finally, the question you’ve all been thinking… The prices. The cost of the space is 110€/month for half days and 150€/month for full, unlimited access. And if you have a group of 4 or more people you’d like to work with, you can also get a special group rate. If you’re looking for a regular workspace where you can count on being productive, this is the place for you.

Learn more about the workspace on their official website.

Somos Coworkers Madrid




Unleash Your Creativity at the Best Coworking Spaces in Madrid

You can work from home… or you can work from one of Madrid’s coolest coworking spaces. 

Whether you’re a freelancer, a digital nomad, or a creative of any kind—or you just need to get out of the house and get something done—you’ll feel right at home at the many coworking spaces in Madrid. These places are specially designed to optimize your productivity and create a sense of community. Comfortable desks, cozy common areas, plenty of outlets, lightning-fast WiFi, plenty of coffee… what more could you need?

Each coworking spaces offers different membership plans. Prices depend on how much time you’ll spend there, and whether you want to reserve a desk, a meeting room, or even a private office. It may seem like a big investment, but it’s sure to pay off with the increased efficiency and inspiration that these places provide.

If you’re the kind of person who thrives on variety, you can have it all with the Croissant app. This innovative startup allows you to search for and reserve seats in over 500 coworking spaces all around the world, so you never have to stay in one place for long. There are three plans, ranging from 10 to 120 hours of coworking per month. Try it out with a seven-day free trial!

Our picks of the top coworking spaces in Madrid

Espíritu23

Espíritu23 is one of the best coworking spaces in Madrid.

Photo courtesy of IG @haun.dynasty

Located right in the heart of Malasaña, Espíritu23 is a hipster haven and a self-described space for “work, creation, and change.” As you walk down Calle Espíritu Santo, it’s hard to miss the colorful murals that decorate its covered terrace. Grab a table outside and a coffee from the café (open to the public), or head inside to enjoy two floors of coworking space. You can get a pass for just a day or a week, and monthly memberships start at €100.

  • Address: Calle Espíritu Santo, 23
  • Metro: Tribunal or Noviciado
  • Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 am – 8:00 pm

Colabora Coworking

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Photo courtesy of Colabora Coworking

This is a relatively new spot near Santo Domingo, consisting of a spacious basement area that’s brightened up with plants and modern decor. Colabora Coworking is a smaller and more intimate space, so you’re sure to make new friends in no time. You can use the communal tables or opt for your own desk, and make use of the community kitchen to store all your snacks. In addition to monthly memberships, they offer packs of 25 hours for €50—plus in-house financial advising and graphic design services.

  • Address: Calle Torrija, 5
  • Metro: Santo Domingo or Callao
  • Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 am – 8:00 pm

Plázida

“The first coworking space for digital nomads in Madrid.” That’s how Plázida defines itself. Its creator has partnered with Loom Coworking in order to integrate the innovative brand into two different locations: Loom Tapices at the Royal Tapestry Factory near Atocha, and Loom Princesa near Plaza de España (shown in this post’s feature image). The latter features the rooftop garden of your dreams, complete with artwork by Okuda San Miguel. Plázida organizes events for you to connect with fellow coworkers, provides guidance and advice on how to best enjoy Madrid, and even offers complimentary coffee and tea. You can try it for free by requesting a day pass online.

Plázida at Loom Tapices is one of the best coworking spaces in Madrid.

Photo courtesy of Plázida

  • Address: Calle Vandergoten, 1 / Calle Princesa, 5 (4th floor)
  • Metro: Atocha or Menéndez Pelayo / Plaza de España or Ventura Rodríguez
  • Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 am – 9:00 pm (some plans offer 24/7 access)

Utopicus

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Photo courtesy of Utopicus

Utopicus is actually a whole network of coworking spaces, with six locations in Madrid alone. My personal favorite is on Calle Colegiata, offering an outdoor terrace where you can simultaneously enjoy super-fast WiFi and a snack or coffee from the café. These people have coworking down to a science, with a whole range of membership options to match the needs of any entrepreneur or business. Each location is impeccably designed and has its own unique character, so you can choose the space that best suits your style.

  • Address: Calle Colegiata, 9 or several others
  • Metro: Tirso de Molina or La Latina (for Colegiata location)
  • Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 am – 7:00 pm

La Industrial

La Industrial, pictured here, is among the best coworking spaces in Madrid.

Photo courtesy of La Industrial

Stepping into La Industrial is like entering a whole other world, where inspiration and big ideas await around every corner. It’s designed to be “a place to work and share,” where professionals from all industries can collaborate and coexist. They offer communal workspaces as well as private offices and “boxes.” You can try your first day for free and then buy a pack of 10 days for €100, or one of several monthly plans ranging from €30 to €180. They also have an enormous events space on Calle de San Vicente Ferrer.

  • Address: Calle de San Andrés, 8
  • Metro: Tribunal or Noviciado
  • Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 am – 8:00 pm

Google Campus

Image from Forbes

Image from Forbes

Technically, Google Campus isn’t so much a coworking space as a hub for startups and tech entrepreneurs. But it merits inclusion on this list for its Campus Café, where you can post up at a table or communal desk and stay all day. Don’t feel like you have to buy a pastry every hour in order to be welcome—here it’s totally okay to bring your own snacks from home. That said, the food provided by Do Eat! is delicious and affordable. And the best thing about Google Campus? Membership is totally free!

  • Address: Calle Moreno Nieto, 2
  • Metro: Príncipe Pio
  • Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 am – 9:00 pm

This post’s feature image was provided by Plázida.