LX FACTORY

Description

Essentials about the LX Factory in brief

The LX Factory is certainly one of the most unusual and hip places in Lisbon and definitely brings a little Berlin “creative flair” to the Portuguese capital. More precisely, the LX Factory is a former factory site in the Alcântara district below the 25 de Abril Bridge, which was creatively revived a few years ago. Today, you’ll find co-working spaces for startups, advertising agencies, fashion studios and other creative industries and entrepreneurs, as well as a variety of bars, cafes and restaurants. A visit to this cool industrial neighborhood is not just for hipsters, but for all visitors to Lisbon an interesting and highly recommended counterpoint to the city’s other attractions.

The history of the LX Factory

Historically, the LX Factory site dates back to Companhia de Fiação e Tecidos Lisbonense, one of Portugal’s most important textile factories, which settled here in 1846. After economic difficulties, the textile factory and also the large printing plant, which was also located on the site, had to cease operations. For many decades, the industrial site under the 25 de Abril Bridge was forgotten and fell into disrepair.

At the beginning of the 21st century, the industrial site, which covers more than 20,000 square meters, was taken over by a project development company as part of an urban renewal project and transformed into a “hub for the creative industries.” Artists and creative people gradually settled here, companies and co-working spaces sprang up, and a colorful gastronomic scene developed. There is even a concert hall where local bands play their gigs.

The architecture of the LX Factory

The former production buildings and warehouses have largely been left in their original state, which accounts for much of the flair of the LX Factory. Mixed in with the former industrial architecture is art everywhere. Many of the facades have been decorated with graffiti and other street art.

While most of the buildings have work being done on the upper floors, the first floor is mostly cafes, restaurants, but also some stores. Many of the gastronomic establishments have their own distinctive style. So a visit to the LX Factory is definitely recommendable from a culinary point of view as well.

The bookstore Ler Devagar at the LX Factory

Bookworms will have their hearts lifted during a stroll through the LX Factory, at the latest when they enter the Ler Devagar bookstore. It is definitely one of the most beautiful and unusual bookstores in Europe. The walls of the old factory building are filled to the top with books, a huge old printing press stands in the room and a bicycle floats in the air above the bookworms. And if that’s not enough, you can have a galão with a view of the books in the in-house café.

The LX Factory flea market

By the way, every Sunday there is a flea market on the grounds of the LX Factory. From 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., you can browse the stalls for second-hand goods, music and handmade items from local artists.