Largo Residências operates a hostel, hotel, artist-in-residence programme, café and shop in the Intendente neighbourhood in Lisbon. Largo Residências functions as a community hub and utilizes the revenues generated through three social businesses (related to accommodation, the café and the shop) to conduct cultural and social projects. The initiative is run by a cooperative and has a specific focus on the inclusion of vulnerable groups. [1;2]
Largo Residências is located in the neighbourhood of Largo do Intendente. This neighbourhood is closely linked to the expansion of the city of Lisbon. From the 18th century on it was one of the main gateways into the city centre, adjacent to Bairro da Mouraria. For a long time, the area was associated with low-income classes. Yet, it has always been a place with restaurants, cafes and taverns, making it a good spot for the people of Lisbon to socialize. For a while, the neighbourhood used to be known for its quality ceramics, with the Viúva Lamego Tiles Factory, one of the most famous in the country, being located there. However, despite its central location within the historical centre of Lisbon, in the last decades of the 20th century, the area has been largely neglected by city councils and developers. Intendente had become a secluded area with a bad reputation across the city, being predominantly associated with insecurity, prostitution and drugs. [3]
Largo Residências operates from a late 19th-century building at the main square of the Intendente neighbourhood. The 4 storey building was originally a ceramic factory but later utilised as a pension and an (illegal) brothel. The latest owner started renovations on the building, but the renovations were taken over by Largo Residências when they signed a 10-year lease agreement. [2]
Largo Residências’ mission is to contribute to local development, through the implementation of cultural activities and social businesses. It has a strong focus on operating in line with the needs of the local community. When Largo Residências started, efforts were made to get to know local community members. One of the first activities undertaken was creative street work, a process that was developed gradually, in a close relationship with the community, and considering their opinions and desires. It was through this approach that ideas began to emerge, and continue to emerge for the different artistic and social projects implemented. Nowadays, the cooperative operates a hostel, hotel, café and shop. It also runs artist-in-residence programmes. In order to build partnerships between the local community and visiting artists, one of the conditions for the artist-in-residents’ projects is that they contribute directly to the local community. Furthermore, Largo Residências runs a wide variety of cultural and social projects, aimed at connecting and empowering the local community. These activities include among others theatre projects, art and dance workshops, art exhibitions and festivals. By providing training, jobs and social support, Largo Residências has helped several vulnerable community members to change their lives. [1;2] To implement activities, the cooperative collaborates not only with local community members but also with an extensive network of partners, ranging from the local municipality to NGOs and non-profit organisations. [1;2]
Members of the cooperative often act as representatives of the community’s needs on the city level, and they are vocal advocates for community rights especially in regards to housing. Moreover, Largo Residências actively participates in the EU-networks of re:Kreators and Placemaking Europe in an attempt to promote more inclusive urban development policies. [1;2]
The cultural association SOU was motivated to provide cultural interventions in the deprived neighbourhood. Together with interested members from the neighbourhood, a cooperative was formed to shape and implement activities. The cooperative was founded by three members and later extended with ten others. Those involved in the cooperative all have different levels of financial and non-financial input, but all have equal voting power. [1;2]
The building from which Largo Residências operates is the property of a private landlord. In 2011, a 10-year lease was agreed upon. The initial rent for the building was €8.000 per month, but after long negotiations, this was lowered to €6.000 per month due to the many structural deficits of the building. The relationship with the landlord is problematic, which led to the municipality coming in to mediate between the two. With the current rental agreement expiring in 2021, the cooperative is looking for another home in the neighbourhood. [2]
In 2011, about €200.000,- was needed for renovations of the building they are based in. €50.000,- was invested by the cooperative members (and paid back six years later with 4% interest). €50.000,- came from municipal funding. The remaining €100.000,- came from revenue generated through Largo’s economic activities. The renovation of the building was realised in a staged way, allowing for revenue of organisational activities to pay for the next stage of renovations. As an important help to the organisation’s cash flow, the construction contractor accepted to defer his payment of €50,000 until after the hostel’s opening. This arrangement functioned as an informal loan. [1;2]
Largo Residências’ business plan is based on using commercial revenues (hotel and hostel) to support the cultural and artistic projects and to provide a wage (and good working conditions) for its employees. [1;2]
Largo Residências, organisational website, www.largoresidencias.com/, accessed on 04-01-2022
Polyak, L., Patti, D., and Nasya, B(2019), Largo Residências, D2.2 Individual Report on the Observatory Cases, OpenHeritage, H2020 GA 776766, available on openheritage.eu/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/5_Open-Heritage_Largo-Residencias-Lisbon_Observatory-Case.pdf, accessed on 04-01-2022
Estevens, A., Cocola-Gant, A., Calvo, D.M., & Matos, F.(2019) As artes e a cultura nas práticas hegemónicas e alternativas na cidade de LisboaO caso do Largo do Intendente, Forum Sociológico, Série II, No35, pp9-17, available at doi.org/10.4000/sociologico.7826, accessed on 04-01-2022