With Coliving 1907, we’re opening our fourth set of interviews with coliving owners in Spain. If you missed the previous ones, you can check them out here.
This beautiful family house, located in the historical and cultural heart of gorgeous Las Palmas in Gran Canaria can be your home for a few months.
Converted into a lively coliving in the city center in one of the most beautiful cities in the Canary Islands, Coliving 1907 can be your next digital escape.
Enjoy a relaxed atmosphere in an authentic Canarian house and connect with other like-minded digital nomads and artists.
Check out this interview about Coliving 1907 we did with its founder – Raquel.
How it all started
“You can’t just sit there and wait for people to give you that golden dream. You’ve got to get out there and make it happen for yourself”
-Diana Ross
1. When and why did you decide to open a coliving space of your own?
– I had been working at a local newspaper for 12 years and needed a career change. I had been looking for it for a long time, but I hadn’t found something that fitted in with my personal life. Then, in March 2021, I decided to open the coliving.
The coliving is housed in a family home. My mother lived there when she was a child.
At the beginning of 2021, she put the house up for rent. Several people visited and showed interest in setting up a coliving. So, I made up my mind and, with the help of my family, I started the Coliving 1907 project.
The improvement and refurbishment work went on from March to July. Then decoration, website, social networks, and a thousand other things.
On 1 November 2021, I opened the house. And the first guest arrived on the 6th of the same month.
2. Have you ever stayed in some other coliving space or any shared accommodation before you decided to open your own?
– During my time as a student, I lived in residency halls and shared flats.
3. Do you remember your beginnings and what was the most difficult for you when you started the coliving?
– The worst thing was the construction work. The coliving has 8 fully equipped rooms which, while preserving their original spirit, have been carefully refurbished to provide them with the best comforts to make a pleasant stay.
I wanted the tenants to be comfortable and to maintain the essence of the house at the same time.
I started the business from scratch. No social media, no reviews. It was amazing that the clients believed in me from the beginning. I will always be grateful to the first tenants who stayed here. I will remember them forever.
4. Is there something that you wished you knew when you started with coliving?
– Have well-defined house rules. Especially in the common areas. I think it is beneficial for everyone, and it creates a respectful atmosphere.
5. Have you had the opportunity to visit other coliving places since you opened yours?
– Personally, no. I have visited many websites of colivings. I also follow them on social media to see what they do and share opinions with them. In this sector, experience is very important.
6. What is the story behind you choosing Spain for opening your coliving space there?
– Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is my home city. I was born here and have spent most of my life here. It is a wonderful city to live in; culture, gastronomy, beach, and leisure.
The city has one of the best telecommuting communities in the world. You have everything you need to enjoy a productive stay while meeting and sharing with other professionals from all over the world.
7. What is your relationship with other colivings on the Canary Islands?
– I have relationships with several colivings in the Canary Islands. I know some of them personally. We talk from time to time to share experiences and concerns.
We also have a Whatsapp group with colivings and coworkings from the islands. Whenever we can, we help each other.
8. What are the advantages of opening a coliving in a remote place such as Gran Canaria, and are there any disadvantages?
– The main advantage is the climate. The island averages 22 degrees Celsius all year round making it the destination of choice for millions of tourists every year.
The location of Coliving 1907 is a privilege. It is situated in the heart of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and perfectly communicated with the whole city.
Walking distance to beaches, parks, museums, supermarkets, theatre, and shopping. It is in the Triana – Vegueta area that has a great life during the day and night. The bus station is less than five minutes walk away and links to any point on the island.
Management
“True hospitality consists of giving the best of yourself to your guests.“
-Eleanor Roosevelt
9. How much are you involved in the community and daily activities at 1907? Do you consider yourself as an equal part of the 1907 community?
– From Monday to Friday I work in the coliving. Sometimes in my office and sometimes in the common areas with the others. I don’t live in the coliving, so I don’t participate in the daily activities.
On Mondays, there is “Monday dinner! Better together“. The idea is that they all cook together.
Another day we play padel. We play against other digital nomads or against local players. The important thing is to have a good time.
Some guests have recommended I do more activities and thus achieve a stronger community. I am already in contact with several companies on the island for wine and coffee tastings, guided tours, learning how to make cheese, and more. We are working to incorporate activities for guests.
I am learning that this leads to more connections and therefore, a better community. This is what my guests are asking for and I am working to gradually build on this.
10. How much time do you spend inside the coliving?
– I am here every morning from Monday to Friday. In addition, once a month I organise a dinner with everyone in the coliving; pizzas, typical Canarian food, barbecue.
11. What additional activities are included for people who stay at your coliving? And what approach do you practice when organizing those events?
– The coliving has agreements with different companies in the city, and we offer discounts to our clients (surfing, diving, guided tours, weekly menus).
In addition, it is very common for guests to organise get-togethers to go to the beach, for a walk or an excursion.
Community
“At 30 you finally start to catch up to those dreams you’ve been chasing for the last 10 plus years.“
-Bonnidette Lantz
12. What is the profile of people who are most likely to stay at your place?
– It is very varied. Mainly digital nomads and freelancers.
13. What is the average age of people who are visiting your accommodation?
– Between 30 and 40 years old.
14. How long do people usually stay at your place?
– The average stay is 1 month. Some people stay for a week, and others have been there for almost six months. Stays of more than one month allow you to get to know the other guests and the island better.
15. Do your visitors tend to return to your place?
– I hope so! The coliving has only been open for seven months. Many of the people who have been there, told me that they really enjoyed the house and the experience and that they will be back, so I hope to see them again!
Many guests have extended their stay – a good sign!
16. Is there some trend where people from specific countries come to your place?
– Mainly from Europe; Germany, Finland, France, Malta, Israel, Spain, Italy, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Norway, Romania, Ukraine, and the Czech Republic.
We have also been visited by several people from the United States.
17. Do you have some special offers for startups and group bookings?
– No. Special offers are for long-term stays and couples.
About the Coliving Movement
”You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you.”
-Dale Carnegie
18. Do you think that coliving is only dedicated to a specific group of people such as freelancers, digital nomads, and remote workers, or do you think there is a possibility to gain popularity beyond that group of people?
– I don’t think so.
Artists from different fields (musicians, photographers) have stayed at Coliving 1907.
Even for people born in the Canary Islands who have lived abroad for many years and decide to spend some time in a coliving when they return to the island. I think it is suitable for any activity.
19. Do you think that coliving cannot exist without a coworking space?
– This is not necessary. Our rooms are perfectly prepared for work and with all the comforts. You can also work in the dining room or on the roof terrace.
From what I have seen so far, everyone prefers to work in their own room. The common life is done in the kitchen or on the rooftop during non-working hours.
20. One of the main selling points of colivings is the possibility to meet new people, share experiences and maybe even develop new partnerships. Is that really the situation?
– Meeting new people and sharing experiences, of course. It is one of the wonders of living in a coliving. You exchange views on jobs and ask each other for advice.
Developing new partnerships is more complicated.
21. Do you have some examples where people who had the opportunity to meet at your place later managed to develop successful partnerships or relationships?
– Not professionally. Many of the guests keep in touch and maintain friendships after they have left from here.
Secure yourself the best coliving experience
- italki – Why not learn some Spanish before your trip and make your coliving even better? italki is the perfect platform for that! You will find more than 3500 native speakers waiting to help you with your Spanish.
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