Les Moulins is a neighborhood undergoing a transformation located in Lille, France. Despite common beliefs, it is becoming an increasingly sought-after neighborhood, thanks to its multicultural ambiance, history, and vibrant events. In this article, we invite you to reconsider your expectations and experience the undeniable charm and spirit of this neighborhood that has everything to offer.

Les Moulins: Rethought and Revitalized

Once considered a notorious neighborhood, Les Moulins has undergone a remarkable transformation. Today, it reflects the evolution of cities, blending historical charm with contemporary dynamism. Its typical brick houses of the region and charming architecture provide the perfect backdrop to immerse yourself in the local culture.
Where to go? Stroll through the streets of Trévise, make a detour to Boulevard Victor Hugo to enjoy some well-known bars and restaurants in the neighborhood, and end with Parc Jean Baptiste Lebas, which marks the neighborhood’s boundary with the city center.

Culinary Delights: Indulge in Regional Specialties

Les Moulins offers plenty of great places to taste delicious local cuisine. Start your day with a gourmet brunch at this café, where you can savor artisan pastries and freshly brewed coffee.
Where to go? Treat yourself to a good meal at Frigidaire, opposite Parc Jean Baptiste Lebas, a welcoming restaurant with excellent homemade dishes. Café Bellot or Moulinette Café on Boulevard Victor Hugo are also worth a visit!

Art and Culture: An Inspiring Canvas

Immerse yourself in the flourishing artistic and cultural scene of Les Moulins. The neighborhood is home to a dynamic community of artists, galleries, and creative spaces. Where to go? Explore the contemporary art scene at Gare Saint Sauveur, which offers a calendar of exhibitions and events throughout the year.

Saint So’ Lille Urban Campus Coliving: Your Gateway to Les Moulins Neighborhood

Our Coliving is located in the heart of Les Moulins neighborhood. Our coliving space will make you feel at home from day one, allowing you to rest, telecommute, and meet new people. The residence offers numerous services and amenities, comfortable living spaces, and a regularly organized events calendar to make your stay with us memorable!

Conclusion: Les Moulins has shed its outdated reputation and has become a neighborhood brimming with life, creativity, and endless possibilities. And when it comes to fully experiencing the neighborhood’s vibrant life, make Urban Campus Saint So’ Lille Coliving your new home!

Are you a young professional seeking a vibrant and dynamic city to call home? Look no further than Valencia, Spain, and more specifically, the captivating Ayora neighborhood. With its unique blend of modernity, culture, and a thriving community, Ayora has emerged as a haven for young individuals looking to make their mark in this vibrant coastal city.

Nestled in the heart of Valencia, Ayora offers an irresistible mix of cosmopolitan charm and authentic Spanish living. Here, you’ll find a range of amenities, cultural landmarks, and recreational spaces that cater to the diverse interests of young professionals. Let’s take a closer look at what makes Ayora the perfect neighborhood for those seeking a fulfilling urban lifestyle.

Prime Location and Connectivity: Ayora enjoys an enviable location, offering easy access to Valencia’s city center, beaches, and major transportation hubs. With excellent public transportation options, including Valencia Metro and Valencia Bus Lines, navigating the city is a breeze, ensuring that you’re always connected to Valencia’s vibrant pulse.

Trendy Cafés and Eateries: Ayora is a gastronomic paradise, boasting a diverse range of trendy cafés, restaurants, and bars. Whether you’re seeking a cozy spot to work remotely, a place to socialize with friends, or an opportunity to indulge in the city’s culinary delights, Ayora has it all. From “La Tapadera de Ayora” for a Spanish ambiance and delicious coffee to “Restaurante Pinnea” for traditional Mediterranean cuisine, and “Pizzeria Restaurante Al Pomodoro” for mouthwatering Italian cuisine, you’ll never run out of options to satisfy your cravings.

Green Spaces and Outdoor Recreation: Despite being situated in an urban setting, Ayora offers ample opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. The neighborhood is dotted with lush parks and green spaces, providing a breath of fresh air amidst the bustling cityscape. Take a leisurely stroll in the Turia Gardens (Jardines del Turia) or engage in outdoor activities at the nearby Ayora Garden (Jardín de Ayora) or Cabecera Park (Parque de Cabecera) , where you can go jogging, cycling, or simply relax and soak up the sun.

Cultural Gems: Immerse yourself in Valencia’s rich history and vibrant culture right in Ayora. The neighborhood is home to several museums, art galleries, and cultural centers, where you can explore contemporary art, delve into local history, or attend captivating exhibitions and performances. From the prestigious IVAM (Valencian Institute of Modern Art) to the renowned City of Arts and Sciences, Ayora offers a treasure trove of cultural experiences.

Thriving Community: Ayora’s charm lies not only in its physical attributes but also in its welcoming and inclusive community. The neighborhood attracts a diverse mix of young professionals from various backgrounds, creating a vibrant tapestry of cultures and experiences. Engage in community events, join local interest groups, or simply join our Ayora, Valencia Coliving Space to meet like-minded neighbors to foster connections and a sense of belonging.

As city experts, we at Urban Campus are passionate about promoting the best that Valencia has to offer, and Ayora is undoubtedly a gem worth exploring. Its unique blend of urban conveniences, cultural richness, and the strong sense of community that our Ayora, Valencia Coliving offers, make it an ideal destination for young professionals seeking a fulfilling and exciting lifestyle.

Make Ayora your new home and experience the dynamic energy and endless possibilities that this neighborhood and Valencia have to offer. Discover why so many young professionals are choosing Ayora as their base for success and happiness in this vibrant Spanish city.

Urban Campus is here to guide you every step of the way. Reach out to us today and let us help you find your perfect home in our Ayora, Valencia Coliving!

As more real estate investors turn their attention to the residential market it has become increasingly important to cater to the changing demographics of modern society. This is where Urban Campus comes in. We are a leading consultant and operator in the residential real estate market, offering data-driven solutions that match the right product to the right area and investors.

Our focus is on unlocking value and meeting the changing needs of society. One example of our work is a recent collaboration with a developer in France who was revitalizing a post-industrial neighborhood. By researching the area’s demographics and analyzing the surrounding projects, we were able to identify the ideal target market. We recommended creating Build-to-Rent buildings for families and coliving spaces for young professionals and digital nomads. We then spent the last year in the design phase, providing project management and optimization to ensure the best possible outcome. 

At Urban Campus, we not only design residential assets, but offer furnished and unfurnished accommodation with optimized layouts to create a comfortable living space for the tenants. Our focus on community building with the help of common spaces that include a gym, coworking area, extra shared kitchen, lounge to ensure that our residential assets are more than just a place to live; they are an opportunity for people to connect and thrive.

To guarantee the success of our projects, we pay close attention to the temporality of large developments. We arrive during the late phases of the projects, to make sure our tenants are not living around cranes and the neighborhood is ready for our BTR and coliving buildings to sell properly.

Our ultimate goal is to become the operator of the finished building. Our shared living approach has earned us recognition in the market. We have recently hired a specialist to industrialize our approach to analyzing target areas in Spain, Portugal, and France. This will help us identify opportunities for growth and continue to provide innovative solutions for our partners. 

Urban Campus expands into Tetuán, the Cuatro Caminos Coliving building will have 31 studios and will be located just a ten-minute walk from the Azca financial center. This will be the second investment in coliving for Batipart in Spain, which will operate Urban Campus

Madrid, June 15th, 2022.- Urban Campus will operate its fifth coliving building in Madrid, and the second for Batipart. The first operator of complete coliving buildings in Spain thus establishes itself in Madrid, increasing its offer in the capital. The new project, Urban Campus Cuatro Caminos is located in the district of Tetuán, in the Cuatro Caminos neighborhood and just a 10-minute walk from the financial center of Azca, the most avant-garde in the capital.

The family investment group, Batipart, once again trusts Urban Campus as the operator of its next coliving, after the agreement for the company’s first new-build coliving in Valencia, which is already under construction and will receive its first tenants in 2023.

For Urban Campus, Tetuán is one of the most attractive districts. It offers many opportunities due to its proximity to Azca, the Four Towers, and the Paseo de la Castellana.

Urban Campus Cuatro Caminos, which has an elegant facade, will have an area of ​​around 1,200 square meters in which there will be room for 31 studios, almost all with a private balcony, 11 one-bedroom apartments, and 20 in a two-bedroom cluster format with a kitchen and large shared lounge. The building will have different common areas like a gym, a coworking, a community kitchen, a meeting or events area, and an outdoor area with a corrala-style patio, common in old buildings in the city, evoquing the most traditional Madrilian character. Urban Campus expects to welcome the first tenants in October 2022.

For Casilda Mulliez, Head of Business Development for Spain at Urban Campus, “our fifth coliving in Madrid strengthens our presence in the capital. We are firm defenders of booming areas, having already begun in Valencia, and once again confirming our position in Madrid with our expansion into Tetuán.”

For Martin Fauchille, Director of Acquisitions Spain and Portugal “After the success of our alliance with Urban Campus, we want to continue with our expansion in the main cities of Spain and Portugal, where we see a growing demand from young professionals for this type of offer.”

Summertime in Madrid – the sun’s out and the streets are bustling. There’s no better time to be in the city!

There are so many ways to make the most of summer here, whether it’s swimming in a rooftop pool, taking a day trip, or relaxing in a terrace bar.

But, really, there’s nothing better than brunch – pancakes and mimosas go down as a real treat at this time of year!

With so many amazing restaurants in Madrid, maybe it’s a little overwhelming trying to decide where to go for your next brunch date.

Don’t worry – our wonderful Urban Campus Community has you covered, with over 20 of their favorite recommendations you HAVE to try this summer.

1 Ambu Coffee (Calle del Pez 36)

AMBU  are all about specialty coffee and good vibes.

They really know their stuff – they even have a coffee school with experiences, courses, and workshops on how to create your own barista-style drinks.

A trendy spot that’s less than a 5-minute walk from our Urban Campus Malasaña Madrid Coliving, they have a great choice of food too – we’re talking grilled cheese, sandwiches, toasts (with avocado, tomato, or serrano ham), and a great selection of pastries.

2. Arquibar (Travesía del Conde Duque 5)

Another one less than a 5 minutes from our Urban Campus Malasaña Madrid Coliving, Arquibar actually started life as an architecture studio.

Eventually transformed into a ‘bar with charm’, it’s a lovely brunch spot with music and aesthetics from the 30s.

Whether you fancy sipping on coffee or cocktails, digging into fresh fruit, pastries, cheese or tortilla, this is the place for you. They even have a brinner (breakfast meets dinner) menu!

3. Brunch Club Cafe (Calle Barco 15)

Cozy and modern, Brunch Club Cafe is a great place for fresh food.

From yogurt to wraps, salads to croissants, it has plenty of healthy and not-so-healthy options for you to try.

Wash it all down with a classic mimosa, and it’s a winning combination if you ask us!

Just 10 minutes from our Urban Campus Malasaña Madrid Coliving, it’s a real favorite among our Community.

4. Carmencita (San Vicente Ferrer 51)

Arguably one of the most popular brunch spots in Malasaña, Carmencita  brings American brunch to Spain.

No worries if you don’t eat meat or dairy – there are plenty of vegetarian, vegan, even gluten-free options here.

With healthy food like fresh juice and classic egg dishes, and treats like Bloody Marys, French toast, burgers and homemade cakes, there really is something for everyone.

It’s only a 5 minute walk from our Urban Campus Malasaña Madrid Coliving, but if you’d rather eat in, you can always order their food on Just Eat or Uber Eats.

Carmencita is also located at Calle Sombrerería 6 – just 15 minutes from our Urban Campus Atocha Madrid Coliving .

5. EatMyTrip (Calle de Manuela Malasaña 17)

With a creative menu full of ‘epic fusion flavors’, EatMyTrip  do brunch differently.

Expect classic dishes with a twist. Think eggs Benedict with Panang coconut curry sauce, pavlova pancakes, and strawberry cheesecake French toast.

If you just fancy coffee and cake, that’s no problem. Or, bottomless brunch, with unlimited cocktails? Yes, please!

Their light, airy restaurant is only 10 minutes from our Urban Campus Malasaña Madrid Coliving. And, the best part? You can eat brunch all day – the kitchen’s open until 23:30 Thursday to Sunday.

EatMyTrip are also located on Calle de la Morería 11, and they have a restaurant in Barcelona too.

6. Federal Café (Pl. de las Comendadoras 9)

With a large menu, great atmosphere and plenty of outdoor seating, Federal Café is a winning choice this summer.

Even better, it’s only 5 minutes from our Urban Campus Malasaña Madrid Coliving. Roll out of bed and you’ll be enjoying fresh cake in no time.

Inside, it has clean décor and large tables for working or group brunches, and when it comes to food, it’s got everything from eggs to salads and avocado toast. You can’t go wrong!

Federal Café are also located on Plaza del Conde de Barajas 3, and they have restaurants in Barcelona, Valencia, Sitges and Girona.

7. Frutas Prohibidas (Calle Conde Duque 26)

A vegan restaurant with a super creative menu, Frutas Prohibidas is just a stone’s throw from our Urban Campus Malasaña Madrid Coliving – it’s only 10 minutes to walk.

They work with local artisans and suppliers, and they use Bio ingredients wherever they can, so everything they serve looks good, tastes good and does good.

We’re talking vegan versions of all the brunch classics – toast, eggs, pancakes, and more – so meat-eaters and vegetarians are sure to love it too.

The restaurant itself is so light, and it’s an incredibly welcoming environment. What more could you want from a fab brunch spot?

8. La Bicicleta Café (Plaza San Ildefonso 9)

If you’re a fan of cycling and love coffee, La Bicicleta Café is for you.

The ride from our Urban Campus Malasaña Madrid Coliving is only 5 minutes (10 to walk), and you can even keep your bike inside if you forget to bring a lock.

Whether you’re after porridge or eggs, burgers or cakes, their fresh, seasonal food, eco-friendly coffee and incredible cocktails make it a brunch spot that’s pretty hard to beat.

You’ll love its cozy atmosphere, and the large tables make it great for coworking too.

La Bicicleta Café is also located at Calle de Galileo 39. With a peaceful garden and terrace, you’ll find it in the Teatro Galileo – 10 minutes from our Urban Campus Mellado Madrid Coliving .

9. La Desayunería (Calle Barbieri 4)

Let’s be honest. When it comes to brunch, no one does it quite like the Americans. That’s where La Desayuneria comes in.

Inspired by trips to the US, their pancakes are a must-have. And, there are so many options! We’re talking classic banana and Nutella, to ones with bacon and egg. There are even pancake versions of cakes! Red velvet, banoffee, Tiramisu – you name it.

Complete with a shake or mimosa, it’ll make a brunch unlike any other.

Of course, the menu covers sandwiches, omelets, and more, with plenty of vegan options, so it’s great to have on your doorstep – our Urban Campus Malasaña Madrid Coliving is just 15 minutes away.

La Desayuneria is also located on Calle Ayala 46, and they have restaurants in Leganés, Barcelona and Málaga too.

10. Lamucca (Plaza Carlos Cambronero 4)

Lamucca  has nine different locations in Madrid, and Lamucca de Pez is only a 10-minute walk from our Urban Campus Malasaña Madrid Coliving.

A stylish restaurant all about pizza, burgers, and nachos, their brunch menu has everything from oats to yogurt, eggs to toast, and a great choice of natural juice to top it off.

Why not indulge yourself a little with their breakfast burger and a mimosa, or one of the 9 different beers that they have on tap?

Big believers in dishing up high-quality food with a low impact on the environment, it’s a winning brunch spot for everyone, with plenty of vegan options too.

11. La Rollerie (Calle Guzmán el Bueno 105)

Found in one of the most traditional areas of Madrid,  La Rollerie  is just 5 minutes from our Urban Campus Mellado Madrid Coliving.

Step inside and you’ll see what makes it unique – it’s the warm atmosphere, the comfortable décor and the incredible balcony of flowers.

When it comes to the food, you’d best be ready for choice, with set breakfasts from around the world (English, French, Mexican…), and brunches too (Nordic, New York or Iberian). They have cinnamon rolls, yogurt and plenty of creative egg dishes… The list goes on.

La Rollerie has another 4 locations in Madrid, one at Calle Carrera de San Jerónimo 26 just outside our Urban Campus Jerónimo Coworking. They also have restaurants in Valencia, Boadilla del Monte and Alcalá de Henares.

12. Natif Coffee & Kitchen (Calle Santa Teresa 2)

Great aesthetic, great atmosphere, great décor.

From our Urban Campus Malasaña Madrid Coliving, it takes only 15 minutes to get to Natif’s  cozy restaurant, and it’ll quickly become a new favorite.

A space inspired by nature, its modern, earthy design is so welcoming, it’ll help you feel super comfortable and relaxed.

Coffee and pastries are their speciality, but the menu covers recipes from all over the world – think Nordic toast, shakshuka, croissants and focaccia. There’s plenty for everyone here!

13. Ojalá (Calle San Andrés)

Only 10 minutes from our Urban Campus Malasaña Madrid Coliving, Ojalá  is epic. Their basement is an indoor beach! Sand on the floor, beach bar, funky lights – the full works!

There’s ‘normal’ seating upstairs as well, if you’d rather not get sand in your shoes, but this space is just as wonderful, with lots of hanging plants and plenty more of that funky lighting.

You can even take a table outside to enjoy your meal in the square.

You’ll be just as impressed with the food, whether you pick the world mix breakfast, NY deli dish, eggs, pancakes or homemade cakes, with juice, smoothies or beer to wash it all down.

14. Osom (Calle Santa Teresa 2)

osom  is all about transparency, so they’ve created an organic menu, a sustainable space and a welcoming community.

Their food is fresh, healthy and seasonal without any additives, and they really do have something for everyone, with gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, keto and paleo options.

From chia pudding to overnight oats and pancakes to toasts, it all goes down perfectly with a cup of their specialty coffee.

Just take a 15 minute stroll from our Urban Campus Malasaña Madrid Coliving, and you’ll stumble right into their stylish coffee house.

15. Perrachica (Calle Eloy Gonzalo 10)

Another one for those at our Urban Campus Mellado Madrid Coliving, Perrachica  is a large restaurant with high-quality food and traditional flavors – and it’s only 15 minutes away.

You’ll love the fresh, tropical feel, and there’s plenty of space with its glass-covered terrace, tables with a view, two bars, and sit-down areas for lunch and dinner.

It’s the menu that’ll keep you coming back though.

Of course, there’s the classic eggs Benedict, homemade pancakes and avocado toast, but it’s the Crêpe Suzette and cream-filled croissant that’ll become a real favorite.

16. Pum Pum Café (Calle Tribulete 6)

Fresh food and great design – that’s Pum Pum Café .

Just 15 minutes from our Urban Campus Atocha Madrid Coliving, the décor has a stylish, industrial feel that’s softened by all the plants to create a super cozy space.

With a brunch menu including eggs, granola and croissants, and a general menu with sandwiches, salads, focaccia and more, there’s so much to choose from.

But, it’s the cakes and sweet treats that you really have to try. They’re so good that Pum Pum also has a bakery! You can find it at Calle Esgrima 1.

17. Religion Coffee (María de Molina 24)

Bringing together healthy food and good vibes, Religion  is a stylish coffee house on the edge of the Barrio de Salamanca neighborhood.

It’s a bit of a walk from us – around 35 minutes from our Urban Campus Mellado Madrid Coliving – but you’ll be well rewarded with specialty coffee and a great brunch menu.

In terms of food, they have everything from granola to pancakes, bagels to smoothie bowls and – of course – eggs, while they have drinks like smoothies, juices and craft beer.

A friendly space with a great atmosphere, it has everything you need from a winning brunch spot, and more.

18. Sala de Despiece (Ponzano 11)

If you don’t mind having a bit of a late brunch, Sala de Despiece  opens at 13:00 on weekends and it’s truly unique.

Known for being incredibly creative, it’s decorated like a cutting room and the menu is hand-written, for an authentic touch.

A culinary theater experience, chefs put together the innovative tapas dishes right behind the bar where you sit, and where the seasonal ingredients are set out on display.

The amazing food combinations nod to traditional Chamberí tapas but have real flair that you’ll struggle to find anywhere else.

A 20-minute walk from our Urban Campus Mellado Madrid Coliving, it’s one you have to try.

19. Superchulo (Manuela Malasaña 11)

Serving up rainbow food, Superchulo’s  motto is ‘count colors not calories’.

With a menu that’s healthy, sustainable and – of course – colorful, they use no chemicals or processed foods.

Whether you come for the açaí bowls and smoothies, or brioche and craft beer, they don’t have a microwave or deep fryer, so you know it’s all fresh and really good for you.

With plenty of gluten-free and vegan options, this trendy restaurant is just a 15-minute walk from our Urban Campus Malasaña Madrid Coliving.

20. Zenith (Calle Valverde 28)

Talk about an Instagrammer’s dream! Zenith  is a modern restaurant with an industrial style that goes perfectly with their fab brunch menu.

They have everything from banana bread to Oreo French toast and nachos, fresh juice to healthy shots and classic cocktails. What more could you ask for?

It’s only 10 minutes from our Urban Campus Malasaña Madrid Coliving, but you always order from Uber Eats if you don’t fancy the walk.

Zenith also has restaurants in Portugal and Barcelona.

Pic sources:

• Ambu Coffe
• Arquibar
• Brunch Club
• Carmencita Bar
• Federal café
• Frutas Prohibidas
• La bicicleta café
• La desayunería
• Lamucca
• La Rollerie
• Natif Coffe
• Osom
• Perrachica
• Pum Pum
• Religion Coffee
• Sala de despiece
• Super chulo
• Zenith

Pablo Alonso-Patallo de la Torre, new Business Development Manager for Urban Campus

• President of Young Leader at Urban Land Institute (ULI), coordinates the activities of members under 35 years of age

Madrid, 25th of may 2022.–

Urban Campus, the leading operator in the management of complete coliving buildings in Spain, has hired Pablo Alonso-Patallo de la Torre as the new business development manager for the expansion of the company’s operations in Spain and Portugal.

Alonso-Patallo, with international training at the Brunel University of London and the University of Bath and a master’s degree in Real Estate Development from IE, has specialized professional experience in the real estate sector. Upon his return to Spain, he signed for the CBRE consulting firm where he remained until this year in the multifamily capital markets area focused on advising clients on investment and divestment strategies in PRS, BTR, and BTS residential products.

In parallel, since 2020 he leads the Young Leader segment at the Urban Land Institute (ULI) as Chairman, where he coordinates all the initiatives for more than 140 members under 35 years of age. He sits on the Board of the Executive Committee of ULI Madrid to defend the interests of the younger generations of the Spanish real estate sector.

In this new stage, Pablo lands at Urban Campus, to contribute to the reinforcement of the company through his work in scaling the business in Spain and Portugal, identifying relevant opportunities in the main Spanish and Portuguese cities, as well as building and maintaining long-term relationships. 

For Alonso-Patallo “Urban Campus is a company with great growth potential and a clear and ambitious vision of which I am very proud to be a part of. We are focused on operating under a strategy based on 3 basic pillars: community, technology, and real estate, thus revolutionizing the way residents live and real estate assets are operated. I have no doubts about our ability to lead this sector in Europe.”

About Urban Campus

Founded in 2016, Urban Campus is the first operator of entire coliving buildings. With its innovative model, it is redefining the rules of residential housing in the main European cities, offering coliving and coworking spaces adapted to new lifestyles. With its own DNA, based on meeting the new residential needs of young professionals in large cities, they offer quality buildings, creates community, and provides a new residential experience.

Get to know Atocha our new Coliving in Madrid!

So, you’ve just arrived in Madrid.

(Hi there! It’s great to see you!)

All it takes is a left turn out of Atocha train station, and a right at Calle del Áncora, then voilà! You’re here, at our brand new Coliving space.

Super close to the station, and right in the heart of Madrid, Atocha is a big up-and-coming area, so it’s a great place to be right now.

It’s beautiful, full of tree-lined streets, and there’s plenty going on.

Atocha restaurants and bars

What better way to meet – and get to know – your fellow Colivers than over a beer and good food?

Luckily, Calle del Áncora is full of bars, cafés and restaurants with great food and drinks.

Sésamo, for example. It’s a wonderful coffeehouse with fresh salads and tasty smoothies. They even have burgers, if you fancy treating yourself a little.

If it’s a bit later in the evening, why not try La Tarara? With delicious snacks and tapas, this charming tavern has around thirty different vermouths you can taste. Yes, thirty!

Prefer cocktails? Head to Havana-inspired Coppelia Madrid instead. They have unbeatable Cuban sandwiches and sometimes live music as well.

Or, if you’re more into craft beer and tacos, Spoiler Bar is the place to be. They even have an Escape Room – what a great icebreaker for you and your new fellow Colivers!

Attractions near Atocha

So, you’re all settled into your room, studio or apartment, and it’s time to take a look around the city.

It’s probably best to start at the attractions.

We’re lucky enough to have one of the world’s biggest modern art museums right on our doorstep – Reina Sofía.

Specializing in 20th-century pieces, it mainly shows Spanish art, with incredible collections by Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalí and Joan Miró.

They often have temporary exhibitions as well, so make sure you check out their website to see what’s showing at the moment.

You could spend hours taking everything in, but make sure you leave enough time to visit Museo del Prado too.

It only takes 20 minutes to walk there from Urban Campus, Atocha, and it’s well worth it – it’s one of the world’s most prestigious art museums, with a mind-blowing collection of European art.

With paintings, sculptures, prints, and drawings, there are around 1,300 pieces on display at once, including Velázquez’s masterpiece ‘Las Meninas’.

Sightseeing near Atocha

While you’re visiting Museo del Prado, make sure you take a stroll down Paseo del Prado as well – Europe’s first tree-lined urban promenade.

Dating back to the 16th century, it was created as a space where people could enjoy nature inside the city. The trees are now hundreds of years old!

This boulevard is closely linked to El Retiro Park nowadays – they share the title ‘Landscape of Light’, and the area was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site back in 2021.

The park is a beautiful space in itself. It’s huge, filled with statues, monuments and fountains – there’s a Forest of Remembrance too, for the victims of the 2004 terror attacks in Madrid.

If you enjoy a day out in the open, you’ll love wandering through its landscaped gardens and renting a boat to paddle on the ponds.

Atocha train station

Of course, we couldn’t talk about Atocha without mentioning the train station.

It’s just around the corner from Urban Campus, Atocha – it only takes 15 minutes to walk there – and it’ll make all the difference to your stay.

With hundreds of thousands of passengers using it every single day, there’s a reason they call it ‘a gateway to the rest of Europe’!

Just think – there are countless day trips you could go on and so many weekend getaways.

You’ll never have a dull moment with your fellow Colivers in Atocha.

Pic sources:

• Sésamo 
• Coppelia
• Nice Local
• Spoiler Bar
• Parque viajes
• Saishoart
• Plataforma Arquitectura
• Esmadrid.com

Yesterday, 05/18/2022, we launched our Coliving Report 2022 in our Malasaña (Madrid) coliving space. This report provides a complete overview of the coliving sector in Spain and Europe and draws conclusions about this residential model based on a survey completed by our residents.

Some Key figures: 62% of them chose to live in a coliving because of the many services included (such as WiFi & regular cleaning). The second reason, with 50% of the votes, was the common areas. Location (48%) and flexibility (45%) came in as the third and fourth reasons to choose coliving.

Once our residents have moved into our spaces, the interviewees affirm that “community” is the reason why they extend their stays. 95% feel happier, and 85% feel less lonely, because of the community. After 2 weeks, half of our residents report feeling at home in our spaces.

The average profile of our colivers debunks any myths associated with this way of living: 92% of coliving residents are professionals, 55% are international profiles, and the average age is 33 years old (the age range is 26 to 45). Additionally, 54% are in a relationship.

The average stay in our coliving is 12 months, with 46% of current members having extended their stays. 3 and a half years is the longest recorded stay, held by a coliver, in our spaces.

But coliving is not just a housing solution. In 2021 alone, the walls of our colivings have seen the birth of seven startups and have supported more than 22 local businesses through collaboration agreements.

We aim at becoming a residential solution for urban professionals, designed for medium-long term stays. Fully-furnished buildings (between 1,000 and 8,000 m2) located in emerging and well-connected neighborhoods, with spaces divided into 70% private areas and 30% common areas, offering all-inclusive services and encouraging the creation of strong communities.

Coliving in Europe and in Spain

At a European level, the coliving sector adds a total of 23,150 units among all types of housing (including shared and complete flats). London is running as the main coliving capital in Europe with 16% of the total market. Behind them are Amsterdam (12%) and Manchester (10%).

The demand for this residential model has increased exponentially in recent years. Ana Martinez, Head of Operations, said “Here at Urban Campus, in the space of one year, we have registered an increase of 154% in applications”.

The pandemic has changed a lot of things about how young people go about their lives –– from how they stay connected to friends and family, to how they use digital tools in day-to-day work. And while the pandemic isn’t over yet, we are beginning to see how some of these changes are leading to larger and perhaps more permanent adjustments in lifestyle. So in this post, we want to look specifically at some emerging ways of life that have come about as a result of the pandemic.

Digital Nomadism

The need for remote work led a lot of people to discover that they could do their jobs from any location in the world. As a result, the number of people who identify themselves as digital nomads has increased significantly. And while “Digital Nomads” author Robert Litchfield has pointed out that this trend actually started before the pandemic, it’s undeniable that Covid-related conditions sped it up. We will likely see even more employees (as well as freelance workers) taking up “digital nomad” lifestyles moving forward, even as the pandemic subsides.

Coliving

Rising prices in the housing markets have pushed a lot of young people to look for alternative solutions. This has helped give rise to coliving, which goes hand-in-hand with the digital nomadism trend to some extent. Having emerged in Silicon Valley (where it has long been possible for people with similar professional ambitions and backgrounds to link up in shared housing), the coliving trend is now evolving into co-working spaces with housing components. This is not only providing a new working and living model for young professionals in general, but also making it easier for them to get situated in cities like Paris or Madrid, which are beautiful and fascinating, but also rather expensive to rent or buy property in. And while coliving is not necessarily cheaper than other alternatives, it provides an all-inclusive blend of living and professional benefits that is invaluable to professionals, entrepreneurs, and freelancers alike. Space in a coliving environment is easy to book (thanks to flexible leasing arrangements) and provides access to energetic communities of like-minded professionals. It is for many an ideal environment in which to live and work independently.

Remote & Mobile Housing

Aside from the trend toward coliving, digital nomadism is also leading many independent workers to consider remote and/or mobile housing. Regarding remote trends, the pandemic inspired many move out of cities and toward suburbs and the countryside. A report at The Local cited 59% of Île-de-France inhabitants wishing to live somewhere less stressful following lockdowns, and the same percentage mentioned a desire to be closer to nature. Similar sentiments have been echoed across much of the world.

While many are leaving the cities are buying up suburban or countryside homes, this trend of migration has also coincided with a rise in mobile home-usage. Various reports have indicated that the RV business is thriving as people look for more flexible, untethered living arrangements (though the quality of RV camps is inconsistent, and some are more conducive to work than others).

Generous Living

While the previous two points concern working and living situations, there are also changes in how people conduct themselves. For one thing, young people have also become increasingly aware of how a large part of the population has to deal with unfair working conditions, as well as limited access to basic needs like education and healthcare; income inequality has also become more visible. However, Fareed Zakaria’s book “Ten Lessons For A Post-Pandemic World” suggests that the pandemic has also given us opportunities to change things like these for the better, and produce a more equal, empathetic society. And it’s in this vein that we’ve seen people adopting more generous lifestyles: Young people have driven movements for social change throughout the pandemic, and CNBC reported even early in the pandemic that 3 in 4 millennials had donated money. These trends suggest a move toward more equality-driven living.

In-Person Living

While technology made it possible for people to stay connected during lockdowns, it also helped to demonstrate the limitations of digital-only social interactions. Sources from the hit streaming special “Inside” by Bo Burnham to Buzzfeed News articles quoting mental health experts have helped to highlight young people’s growing discomfort with fully digital social lives. And as a result, we’re seeing young people emerging from the pandemic pointedly prioritizing in-person social activity –– somewhat ironic in what is supposed to be the age of the metaverse. This is not to say that young people are surrendering social media or digital tools by any means. But they are making a point of recognizing and valuing human-to-human connection.

As this trend solidifies, it is also important to mention that government entities and urban planners have a responsibility to accommodate it. One of the few heartwarming aspects of the pandemic at its worst was that we did see major cities around the western world reorganizing and redistributing space –– providing more biking paths, wider walking avenues, and large spaces for safe outdoor dining. And in some cases, there have been indications that these changes will be permanent, or at least inspire long-term changes; for instance, a write-up at Forbes details plans for some 650 kilometres of cycling space to be built into Paris, in part at the expense of sidewalk parking spaces. This is only one example, but it speaks to how the growing preference for “in-person living” needs to be supported by the facilitation of such a lifestyle.

It’s an understatement to say that the pandemic brought about unprecedented change for people of all ages. But it’s also inspired younger generations to develop their own innovative solutions to different issues. As a result, many people have more flexible ideas regarding where to reside, how to work, and how to interact with and treat other people.

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