The upcoming coliving project at the Unicorn Factory will feature 84 accommodation units, totaling 137 rooms, ranging from studios to four-bedroom houses, as announced by the city council.
During the inauguration of the rehabilitation work on the former Convent of Grilas, which includes developing the coliving building in collaboration with Mota-Engil, Lisbon’s Mayor Carlos Moedas highlighted the fusion of innovation and culture in a project aimed at increasing housing options for young people.
“This is a long-promised project that we have now realized. It’s another historic building rehabilitated, modernizing the Beato neighborhood and boosting the area through the influence of the Unicorn Factory,” stated Carlos Moedas in a press release.
The architectural plan for the former Convent of Grilas received approval from the city council in February 2024, with support from the PSD/CDS-PP leadership and the PS, while facing opposition from the PCP, BE, Livre, and Citizens For Lisbon, alluding to a perceived lack of transparency in granting the space to Mota-Engil.
This shared housing initiative is part of the overall project for the Creative Hub in Beato (HCB), originally approved in February 2018 under a PS-led administration, with a governing agreement with BE and votes from PS, BE, PSD, and PCP, while CDS-PP abstained. During the 2021-2025 term, led by PSD/CDS-PP, the Unicorn Factory was established within the HCB premises.
The shared housing architecture project involves an expansion with partial demolition at the old Convent of Grilas, covering an area of 30,516 square meters, according to the proposal by Urbanism Councilor Joana Almeida (an independent elected under the “New Times” coalition of PSD/CDS-PP/MPT/PPM/Aliança).
The proposal details an extension of 1,073 square meters utilizing the roof, resulting in a 5,309 square meter floor area intended for housing, specifically a coliving program.
In February this year, a year following the architectural plan’s approval, the executive informed that it was in the “planning and preparation phase,” after the Cultural Heritage department completed its historical assessment of the old convent building.
The Beato coliving development is a partnership between the Lisbon City Council, the Unicorn Factory, and Mota-Engil.
Without providing specific timelines or investment details, Mota-Engil noted the project is grounded in rehabilitating the building, which boasts “over 350 years of history,” retaining original elements like facades, staircases, vaults, and the iconic clock, reinterpreted through contemporary architectural language.
“The project includes accommodation units across four floors, with spacious common areas—shared kitchens, laundry rooms, living rooms, and terraces—designed to encourage interaction, sharing, and community spirit,” stated the company, which identified sustainability as a key component of the future coliving initiative. Solar energy will power it, integrating into Beato’s energy community, promoting energy efficiency, and ecological transition practices.
