Coworking Pula - Modern Working Space Surrounded by Old Town Charm
For the first time after we changed offices, we tried the Coworking Pula as a workplace. Just a few minutes from the strict center, there is a new, modern building in this city that does not yet exist in such a modern form.
If you have never been to Pula, imagine this street as a busy one. You can hear the buzzing of cars as you pass by, and everything somehow gives a sense of hustle and bustle. However, across the road, or a little further, some buildings were once important to this city.
During the Yugoslavian era, a flagship of modernism was built close by - a Department store that still stands abandoned in its original form and sad for some passers-by. But for those who keep their memories there, it seems like a real gift, the possibility of seeing it, at least from the outside, the same as before. At one time, you could buy all that one household needed there. Or have lunch, go to the hairdresser... But as time passed, in that line of buildings, everything turned gray and seemed forgotten.
Across from Coworking Place, there is another gem of Pula: Pattinaggio. It has been an essential part of Pula's social and sports life for over a hundred years. It was built as a roller-skating ring at the beginning of the nineteenth century, but soon, it became a multi-purpose venue and a core place of the cultural life of Pula. So, it is no wonder that people remember it as a place where sports competitions, dances, and friendships occur, helping people feel connected to the city's community.
The site has gone through many transformations corresponding to Pula’s different social and political periods. In the founding years, it served as an enthusiastic gathering place for roller-skating fans. Still, very soon, it expanded its activities to include roller hockey matches, artistic roller skating, and shows for the public. During the beginning of the 20th century, roller skating in the city was extremely well-received, with multiple skating facilities being built towards the end of that period.
Now, after you can finally imagine the stories surrounding the Coworking where many Pula companies, freelancers, and digital nomads will work, we will also say something about it. Of course, at first, when it opened in 2023, it delighted us. We were eager to give it a try, and the concept of fly desks—where you can book a desk for a day—sounded like a perfect solution for our team's flexibility.
First of all, it is run by a great team. The excellent Marinela, Jelena, and Anela are always at our disposal. This is the greatest strength of Coworking, a team with which everything is always easy to plan.
The space itself is spread across four floors and is quite the visual treat. It’s colorful, modern, and very spacious. We jumped right in, and while all the private offices are rented out, there’s still plenty of room for us and freelancers who pop in and out daily. It’s quiet, which is excellent for focusing. There is one thing you start to feel after a while: everything is open space, including the meeting areas. This can be a bit awkward when you’re trying to have a confidential conversation with clients or team members.
We’ve also noticed a diverse crowd here—people speaking English, which suggests there are digital nomads. Unfortunately, we haven’t had the chance to meet them and talk. Maybe a divided social area would help a bit. While Coworking Pula offers plenty of space for work, there’s no comfortable nook for casual networking or grabbing a coffee and chatting with the people around you. It’s a bit of a missed opportunity, but we’re hoping that as the space evolves, something like that will be added.
And then, of course, there’s the topic of coffee. While many Coworking spaces across Europe spoil you with free coffee—places like Talent Garden in Italy, Spaces in Amsterdam, or Norrsken House in Stockholm, Coworking Pula offers a paying coffee machine, or feel free to make your own.
The kitchen itself is minimal (not equipped with dishes to use) and connected to the quiet area, so making coffee or your lunch involves a feeling you should stay silent so as not to disturb others working.
This new Coworking space has injected some fresh energy into our routine, and we can already see how it’s helping us connect with other local entrepreneurs and creatives in Pula. Sure, it’s still growing and has room for improvement—but it’s also an exciting first step for Pula’s Coworking scene. We’re still adjusting to this new urban rhythm; are we all ready for a change? Who knows? We have a great space for it.