Beyond Work: How Denizen Became a Community Hub

For many, coworking spaces are simply places to work. But for David T, the mind behind Denizen, they are much more—modern 3rd spaces where people can connect, recharge, and integrate work into their lives in a meaningful way.

Denizen wasn’t born from a traditional business plan; it emerged from a deep understanding of what makes people happy and productive. David’s inspiration came from his own experience leading a fast-growing startup. Competing for top talent with tech giants like Google, Amazon, and HelloFresh, he realized that retaining employees wasn’t just about salary—it was about creating an environment where people felt valued.

The Denizen founding team introduced simple but impactful perks: daily breakfasts, package drop-off services, Friday cinema nights, and even weekly massages. These weren’t just benefits—they turned the office into a community hub.

But then, a question struck David: Why should this experience be limited to one company? If so many businesses were offering these perks within their own walls, why weren’t landlords or cities providing them at a larger scale?

Sitting in a Berlin café one morning, he did a quick search and found that 750 companies operated within half a kilometer of him. Each had someone, like his former team’s executive assistant, working to improve employee well-being. But what if there was a space that provided these services for everyone?

This idea shaped Denizen—a space designed not just for work, but for life. Instead of a traditional office, David envisioned a "hotel lobby without the rooms", where people could work, meet, and socialize. Instead of just desks, he thought about showers for gym-goers, a café for quick but high-quality food, and lounge areas built for both deep focus and spontaneous conversation.

Denizen quickly grew beyond Berlin, with locations now opening in Düsseldorf, Mannheim, and Mainz. But the goal remains the same: to redefine how we experience work and community.

What’s next? According to David, the future of work is shifting away from fixed office spaces to a network of flexible locations where people can work, meet, and unwind. We are evolving, with popup versions of our coworking model launching in new cities—bringing instant hospitality and human connection wherever they go.

But Denizen isn’t just about providing space—it’s about empowering people to create community.

👉 Did you know you can host your own events at Denizen? Whether it’s a workshop, a social gathering, or a creative meet-up, our spaces are open for ideas that bring people together. If you’ve ever wished for a community space that didn’t yet exist, maybe it’s time to create it!