Málaga, a picturesque coastal city in the south of Spain, has steadily grown in popularity among digital nomads seeking a vibrant blend of work and leisure. With its sunny climate, rich culture, and a dynamic community of creatives and innovators, it’s no wonder that this city has become a top destination for those looking to infuse their workdays with inspiration and their free time with unforgettable experiences.
For digital nomads, two essential requirements often stand out: a dedicated workspace that shields them from the distractions of home and an opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals in a social setting. Málaga has a plethora of coworking spaces to choose from, each with its unique appeal. However, one coworking space that stands out for its vibrant community and focus on social interaction is none other than The Living Room (TLR).
As the brainchild of Ben Kolp, an Austrian-born entrepreneur and the heart behind TLR, this coworking space is more than just a place to work. It’s a thriving community that brings together a diverse group of expats, digital nomads, and young professionals, creating an environment that is as inviting as it is productive.
According to Ben, TLR’s mission is clear: it’s not about packing as many corporate clients as possible into an office, but fostering a close-knit community of like-minded individuals.
“TLR is not set up to attract an increasing number of corporate members,” confirms Ben.
“Rather it attracts like-minded individuals who want to also socialise and take part in some of TLR’s vibrant extracurricular activities such as our weekly beach volleyball sessions, our seasonal surfing and ski trips, the football team, poker nights, the monthly TGIF talks…”
The TLR Family at one of TLR’s regular volleyball games. Pic: Agnès de Bois.
The sense of community that TLR fosters has often been described as a home away from home for its members.
“I definitely believe that this is a great soft landing or starting ground for people that come to Málaga and don’t know anyone yet. It’s really easy to make friends at TLR. You have a community here of 160 professionals from around 30 different countries. So it’s a very easy crowd to network with.”
In the future, TLR may well expand to include coliving options. This would create an even more integrated living experience for its members.
“I was having lunch with TLR Family member Jasper Meerman, and I was telling him about my future plans for the space,” revealed Ben.
“Quite often in TLR, epiphanies are given birth based on constructive feedback from others. This seems to have been one of those times, because our dear member Jasper raised the idea of a coliving element and it really stuck with me. He’s right – it would work really well with the TLR spirit. We’re definitely looking into it, but nothing has been decided on that yet.”
The success of TLR lies not only in its impressive facilities and amenities but also in its commitment to the four Cs of community building – a concept Ben learned about on a recent coworking and coliving workshop in Galicia, organised by the European Creative Hubs Network (ECHN).
The talk, given by Ben’s contemporary, who he dearly admires, Jon Hormaetxe Castells, from Sun & Co in Javea, outlines the four Cs as being Curation, Convenience, Connection, and Care.
- Curation: Focus on attracting the right people to the community. TLR aims to bring together freelancers, entrepreneurs, and digital nomads, all sharing a similar mindset and purpose.
- Convenience: Ensure that TLR operates smoothly and efficiently. Automation plays a crucial role in freeing up time for meaningful interactions and connections between members. “We’ve been doing a lot over the last four years to automate most of our operational processes. This means we can free up time and be there for our members instead of being behind a screen,” explains Ben.
- Connection: Organise purposeful gatherings, events, and shared activities. Create opportunities for members to engage with each other, fostering serendipity and synergies. TLR’s extracurricular offerings, including volleyball, surfing, and monthly talks, are all part of this thoughtful effort to bring people together.
- Care: Extend a high level of care for each and every member. This is where TLR truly shines. Ben emphasises the importance of genuine care for the members, understanding their aspirations, struggles, and dreams. “A great community manager or community builder is interested in people,” says Ben. “You’re curious. You ask questions because you really want to know.”
“I’ve been asked many times before what it is that we do for TLR to have such a strong and inspiring community,” Ben remembers.
“Before speaking to Jon and hearing about his concept of the four Cs of community building, I wasn’t able to give a good response.”
Ben can now explain that it is curation, convenience, connection and care that come together to create TLR’s unique community spirit. This makes it an unparalleled option for digital nomads and young professionals looking not only for a place to work, but a place to truly belong.
Ben Kolp, owner of TLR Coworking, pictured at their monthly Meet the Family event which welcomes new members and outlines upcoming events. Pic: Agnès de Bois.
As the digital nomad trend continues to grow, Málaga remains an alluring destination for those seeking a perfect balance of work and play. In this thriving landscape, The Living Room stands out not just as a coworking space but as a nurturing community where like-minded individuals can find their place and create lasting memories.
With the possibility of coliving on the horizon, TLR’s vision of fostering an even stronger sense of home and camaraderie seems destined to come to fruition.
About Kelly
With professional and educational backgrounds rooted in journalism, Kelly works as a freelance writer. She crafts tech content, marketing pieces, social media texts, and newspaper articles.
Originally from Kilkenny, Ireland but currently living in Málaga, Kelly runs her own company called Kelly Mary Media OU. She has been a TLR Family member since August 2021. When she’s not writing, Kelly is off trotting around the globe, documenting her adventures on her Instagram account @thesecornersoftheworld.
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