You’ve got coworking spaces sprinkled across the globe, and now ‘BEAM’ is your second space in Berlin. Which city is your favourite and why is it Berlin?
We love all our cities equally, but Berlin has that rare combination of creative chaos and quiet conviction. It’s a place where big ideas are born in backyards and polished over a coffee and a club night. So yes, we’re biased, but Berlin just gets us. That’s why BEAM is our second space here, and definitely not the last.
What’s Industrious really bringing to the Berlin scene? How do you blend that global scale with local flair?
A globally proven model combined with a deeply local mindset. We bring the data, best practices and scale of a global company – but tailor everything to the neighbourhood, the people, the feel of Berlin.
That means smart operational real estate solutions and Friday afternoon drinks that don’t feel forced. We’re here to help companies thrive and to create workplaces where employees actually enjoy coming to work – and if we get that right, we think Berlin will give us a long-term lease in its heart.
So, what makes Industrious… well, industrious? What’s your secret sauce?
Three things make Industrious industrious. First, we are obsessed with our members’ happiness, the real kind. Not just comfy chairs and good Wi-Fi, but the emotional experience of walking into a space that actually makes you want to work. We aim to complement – not compete with – working from home or your favourite café.
Second, we take work seriously – philosophically and practically. We believe the office environment has a deep impact on people’s lives, and that impact should be positive. So we built a business model that’s sustainable, scalable and focused on experience.
Third, we don’t just do coworking. We manage workspace experiences at scale – whether for an entire building or a single company HQ. That makes our work endlessly complex, human and surprisingly fun.
What’s the story behind the bee logo – and how does it reflect your vibe?
Everyone at Industrious might give you a different answer – and that’s the point. For me, the bee symbolises purposeful work. Bees hustle, but they do it for something bigger: the hive, the honey, the community.
That’s our vibe – work hard, but with meaning. And while we’re proud of our brand, we never want it to overshadow our members. We’re the scaffolding behind the show. Our job is to make others shine.
You picked Schicklerhaus – a former Marxist workers’ school – as BEAM new home. What drew you to it, and how does that history shape the space?
Great question. We chose Schicklerhaus because we’re not in the business of chasing industrial clichés – we’re here to create environments where people feel good doing one of the things they spend most of their adult life doing: working.
BEAM is in a retrofitted heritage building, now a smart, energy-efficient hub with history in its walls. The hardware (architecture) and the software (people, service, culture) need to align to create something special. This building gave us the perfect canvas to do just that.
How much space is there at BEAM?
Roughly 3,000 sqm – but it’s what we do with it that matters. Over 65% of the space is dedicated to ‘30-second workspaces’: areas for focus, connection and inspiration, all within 30-seconds of any desk. There’s a quiet library, a barista café, a lounge, a conference hub… It’s designed like a city square, not an office block, because your best ideas rarely happen at your keyboard.
Berlin is known for having some exclusive door policies, who’s allowed in BEAM?
Everyone’s welcome – but we tend to resonate most with people and companies who care about human interaction and high performance. Think: a global law firm and a Berlin-based creative agency sharing the same coffee machine – and both loving it. If you care about aesthetics, efficiency and emotional well–being at work, you’ll feel at home with us.
What’s your budget for whiteboards, and more importantly, how big of a problem is whiteboard theft?
This question is weirdly specific… and we love it. Actually, I’ve banned the word whiteboard in our internal training. Not because we don’t have them – we do – but because we teach our teams to tell stories, not list features.
Whiteboards don’t make memories – moments do. So yes, they occasionally walk off mysteriously. We call it part of the story.
Events can make or break a coworking community. What kinds of gatherings do you see happening at BEAM? Any cool plans in the works?
We’re big believers in co-creating events with our members – but we already know Berlin is going to push us to raise our game. It’s a city of thinkers, tinkerers and late-night philosophers.
So expect everything from sake tastings to startup bootcamps, charity pop-ups to lunch & learns. Basically, if it sparks curiosity or connection, it’s fair game.
How essential are office plants in a coworking space – and do you have a dedicated gardener?
There are two schools of thought in the office world: Team Fern and Team Form. I love greenery – it’s calming, it’s proven to be good for the soul – but only when it’s used thoughtfully. Sometimes I wonder if we’ve gone too far locking plants indoors. Is it… vegetative cruelty? That might be controversial, but hey – design matters more than decoration. We do have plant lovers on staff, though. No dedicated gardener yet, but watch this space.
Industrious at BEAM Berlin opens in September 2025, with hot desk memberships from 249€, dedicated offices from 1,700€, and fully customised enterprise suites for 20 to 80 people available on request.
More info here.
