Discovering QDOOR and the Barcelona of Mar Viver Ribas
October, 9th, 2023. Written by Clara De Nadal Trias
Meeting Mar Viver Ribas is really like hanging out with Barcelona. Born in Barcelona, into a family of Catalan businessmen, Mar is the creator and architect of the first boutique coworking in the Catalan capital. As a person, she defines herself as a loving, kind, fun, generous, family-oriented, loyal and somewhat shy woman who loves good food.
When I asked her what does she likes in life, she does not hesitate: “I like red wine, getting massages, spas, reading, being with my friends, enjoying my family and laughing (a lot) every day. I also love to travel, although every time I return home I think the same thing: how good it is to live in Barcelona!”
Please tell me a confessable secret:
I really like having moments for myself. For me it is very important to have my daily dose of solitude.
Tell me about Mar on a professional level…
I am a lawyer and have been a tax advisor for many years. As a result of inheritance tax advice, running property companies and having clients who had a lot of real estate assets, I have been opting for real estate management until creating my own project, QDOOR, and thanks to it I have discovered my true professional passion.
So tell me, what is QDOOR?
QDOOR is the biggest professional, personal and family project of my life. And I say family project, because my family has lived in the same two apartments where it is located (specifically my grandmother and my great-grandmother), so I always have my family very present. If I had to define it, I would say that QDOOR is a business center. In fact our motto as a company is: “the leading boutique business center in Barcelona”.
At QDOOR we offer 12 offices and a common coworking area, where we prioritize personalized treatment so that our coworkers feel at home. We also differentiate ourselves from other coworks in Barcelona because in terms of decoration and interior design of our facilities are more Premium, since we have opted to maintain the Catalan modernism aesthetic of the building.
What do you think is QDOOR's greatest contribution to a city like Barcelona?
Above all things, the personal style that we offer. QDOOR is a novel, highly personalized, unique and Premium space, which could be compared to other coworks in New York or London, but we offer it in a much more competitive price, considering the area of Barcelona in which it is located. (Address: Valencia street, 264, 1º, 08007, Barcelona)
According to your personal experience... what is the best thing about living in Barcelona?
The best thing about living in Barcelona, for me, is everything. But above all, I would highlight the proximity, the ease of movement, the good weather, the sea and, of course, that the food is very good.
Can you tell me what’s the best thing about living in this city?
It is a city that still allows you to combine work and free time. As it is not very big, it allows you to move around in a very short time. You can also reconcile personal and professional life and above all, depending on where you look at it, on one side you can see the sea and on the other the mountains. It also has many terraces, you can walk everywhere and thanks to its climate, it allows you to live a lot on the street.
And the most curious thing?
Each neighborhood in Barcelona is like an independent town and, in each one, you end up meeting everyone and making new friends.
What is your favorite corner of the city?
Turó Park. It is a park that gives me a lot of peace, a small oasis in the middle of the city and all the vegetation and fauna it has is amazing: ancient trees, flowers, squirrels, the pond with water lilies...
What are your 3 favorite restaurants or bars in Barcelona and why?
La cervecería catalana. I like their classic tapas and for me it is a restaurant that has a lot of family connotations. I used to go with my grandmother a lot (the same one who lived where QDOOR is now).
Botafumeiro. It is a seafood restaurant where the food is wonderful. It also has a family connotation and the food at the bar is super good.
Jok. It is a restaurant and cocktail bar that I really like because of the elegance of the dining room. The decoration is beautiful with its modernist ceilings, the fish there is very good and it also has an interior garden.
If someone who has never been to Barcelona asks you... what can I not miss, do or visit?
Go up to a hotel rooftop on Paseo de Gracia street and walk around L'Eixample neighbourhood.
What is your favorite plan in the city?
Basically, going out to dinner, or going for a walk with my husband and children. I really like going to see a museum and discovering something new in the city. And since I really like classical music, a favorite plan for me is also to go to the Palau de la Música, or the Gran Teatre del Liceu.
What would a perfect day in Barcelona be like?
Get up and have breakfast in the sun on the terrace of my house with views of the park in front we have in front. Going to the gym. Spending some time at the Spa. Reading a bit. To take the “aperitivo”. Eating on a sunny terrace. Then walking along Rambla Catalunya and Diagonal streets. Then I would go to the cinema, the theater or something cultural... And I would end up going to dinner with my partner at Jok or some new restaurant.
If you didn't live in Barcelona... Where would you live?
If I didn't live in Barcelona city, I would live in a house in a town near Barcelona (laughs).
And if Barcelona were a person... Who would it be?
Gaudi.
Last but not least... Please mention someone I should do this interview to and why.
Eva Mititieri Peiró. She is a fabulous connector for women and the founder of the Entrepreneurs Club.
Thanks, Mar.
Written and translated by Clara De Nadal Trias
More plans and people from Barcelona here