Alt CampAlt EmpordàAlt PenedèsAlt UrgellAlta RibagorçaAnoiaAranBagesBaix CampBaix EbreBaix EmpordàBaix LlobregatBaix PenedèsBarcelonèsBerguedàCerdanyaConca de BarberàGarrafGarriguesGarrotxaGironèsLluçanèsMaresmeMoianèsMontsiàNogueraOsonaPallars JussàPallars SobiràPla d'UrgellPla de l'EstanyPrioratRibera d'EbreRipollèsSegarraSegriàSelvaSolsonèsTarragonèsTerra AltaUrgellVallès OccidentalVallès OrientalAlt CampAlt EmpordàAlt PenedèsAlt UrgellAlta RibagorçaAnoiaAranBagesBaix CampBaix EbreBaix EmpordàBaix LlobregatBaix PenedèsBarcelonèsBerguedàCerdanyaConca de BarberàGarrafGarriguesGarrotxaGironèsLluçanèsMaresmeMoianèsMontsiàNogueraOsonaPallars JussàPallars SobiràPla d'UrgellPla de l'EstanyPrioratRibera d'EbreRipollèsSegarraSegriàSelvaSolsonèsTarragonèsTerra AltaUrgellVallès OccidentalVallès Oriental
CA|ES|EN

Diari de Catalunya

Former Matacabòs Hostel to Become Cross-Border Technology Center

The Les Town Council's project aims to boost the local economy and attract talent with coworking and coliving spaces.

Generic image of a modern, bright coworking space with people working.
IA

Generic image of a modern, bright coworking space with people working.

The Les Town Council is promoting the conversion of the former Matacabòs hostel into a Cross-Border Technological Innovation Center, a strategic project to boost the local economy and attract talent to the Val d'Aran.

After being closed for 15 years, the Matacabòs facility is being reinvented to combine shared workspaces, foster business creation, and provide future accommodation. This initiative, as explained by Mayor Andreu Cortés (UA), seeks to give new life to the building.
Works have already been carried out to improve the energy efficiency of the building, with a budget of 325,000 euros. These actions included the renovation of all enclosures, insulation, the roof, and the installation of an aerothermal climate control system. The funds come from the regeneration and demographic challenge program for the rehabilitation of public buildings.
“

"We have acted on all enclosures, insulation, the roof, and the installation of an aerothermal climate control system."

Andreu Cortés · Mayor of Les
Additionally, 250,000 euros from the Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge are expected to be allocated, within the framework of singular projects, to promote a coworking space and foster the creation of new businesses. The objective is to integrate this new center into the Hèpic Hub network in Vielha, thus strengthening the innovation system of the Val d'Aran.
“

"There is a real demand and we want to take advantage of it, because the Vielha center has all its places filled."

Andreu Cortés · Mayor of Les
The council will soon launch a dissemination campaign to attract potential users. One of the project's unique features will be the incorporation of small apartments within the building itself, creating a coworking and coliving proposal that facilitates the settlement of new talents and entrepreneurs. Mayor Cortés emphasizes that accessible rents will be offered for short periods, of 2 or 3 months, to professionals and families wishing to settle in the territory, providing them with a stable base to find definitive housing.
The Matacabòs Hostel had hosted youth activities and camps since the 1960s, and also served as accommodation for seasonal workers. The new approach proposes an innovative model that leverages proximity to France to facilitate cross-border technological and business projects. Simultaneously, the Les Town Council is also working on the future renovation of the InfoLes building, located in Escamon, to convert it into the municipality's tourist reception center, pending approval of urban planning modifications.

Related News