"Building a coliving space is more than just about bricks and mortar; it's about weaving a fabric of relationships that create a vibrant community."
Murray Clark from Neighbourgood on Scaling Profitable Coliving Business
In this conversation, Gui Perdrix talks to Murray Clark, founder of Neighbourgood Coliving, about his journey to scaling to 500+ units while being self-funded, profitable, and now even by expanding to San Francisco and opening up social clubs.
They have one of the best experiences and community-centered designs, and are continuously bringing this concept to new heights.
Neighbourgood is a connected city product offering that focuses on building multiple buildings, living and working spaces across the city of Cape Town and San Francisco. They aim to provide a lifestyle appeal that goes beyond the building itself, considering factors like quality of life, price, and community. Their business model involves a combination of property management agreements, lease agreements, and property ownership, with a focus on density and efficient operations. For more information on Neighbourgood, check out here.
Artof.Co Coliving Incubator Launching on August 1st.
Gui and I have been in the coliving sector for the last decade.
After talking to more than 200+ coliving entrepreneurs and working with 100+ across 20 different regions of the world, we came up with methodologies that could be used to create successful coliving businesses.
In our journey, we made mistakes, and we don’t want you to do the same.
Why reinvent the wheel? Let's build on what is already out there.
If you are building a coliving business, consider joining the Artof.Co Coliving Incubator Program.
It is a 12-month milestone based program helping coliving entrepreneurs successfully conceptualize and build sustainable coliving businesses.
Designed by and for coliving founders, it gives participants the latest operating insights, educates on major entrepreneurial pitfalls, and offers templates and resources to fast-track their growth. Participants receive access to the online program, expert advisory, weekly masterminds, and visibility at the Artof.Co demo day.
Why Are Managed Rentals So Booming In India? A Shift In Housing Preference?
Managed rentals come with premium features such as professional housekeeping, app-enabled living, doorstep laundry, 24*7 concierge services, security, meals, and more, thus making them a favourable choice for working professionals who seek a work-life balance. Some points to note are:
- Millennials and Gen Z are driving a shift in housing preferences, favoring co-living spaces and fully-managed rentals over traditional home ownership.
- The Indian real estate sector is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 17% from 2023 to 2034, reaching about Rs 1.5 trillion (Knight Frank India and CII study).
- Younger generations prefer experiences over owning assets, with 93% of migrating millennials in India's top seven cities living in rentals, and 67% not intending to purchase a home (JLL report).
- Urbanization has led youth to value flexibility, career exploration, and financial liquidity over home ownership.
- Growth in the IT, finance, and e-commerce sectors has increased salaries for young professionals, allowing them to seek premium accommodations that offer convenience and luxury.
- New-age startups offer rentals with features like professional housekeeping, app-enabled living, concierge services, security, and meals, catering to the work-life balance needs of young professionals.
- Tech-savvy generations demand housing integrated with the latest technology, with co-living spaces and managed rentals offering advanced tech solutions like app access, seamless rent payments, and automated controls for home functions.
- Managed rentals and co-living spaces provide shared common areas for socializing and networking, with curated weekly events and breakout zones enhancing the sense of belonging and community, addressing urban loneliness.
- The surge in demand for managed rentals reflects the broader socio-economic shift towards convenience, luxury, technology, and community, signaling a reimagining of the real estate landscape in India.
Art Of Coliving Book Is Available In Paperback On Amazon
This has been a long standing ask from people who love to smell and read books on paper. I am one of those guys. So here we are.
Get your copy now in paperback on Amazon.
The Art of Coliving is a blueprint for coliving operations. From concept and branding to community facilitation, real estate, marketing best practices, and operational advice, author Gui Perdrix interviewed more than 200 coliving organizations to understand the fundamental principles that guide successful coliving spaces.
This workbook will guide any coliving professional into the state-of-the-art of coliving building. Whether coliving founders, community managers, architects, or real estate developers, tapping into the Art of Coliving will help you tap into the greatest minds and doers of this new industry and teach you how to think and do coliving.
Everything Else Coliving
- Read what Bass Ackerman from Hive Coliv, Dubai, has to say about Common bankruptcy. Do you agree that, Coliving Operators = Property Management Companies? Read more to find out here.
- Looking for help finding the right roommate? Here is a tech solution that can help you match the right people and help you build a thriving community and business.
- ASK data finds HNW investors to increase co-living investment. New research by ASK Partners reveals that HNW investors are looking to invest in co-living, life sciences, and warehouses & logistics over the next 12 months.
- Dubai-based rental startup Colife expands operations. Colife has made a strategic move to Hong Kong, looking to capitalise on the escalating demand for co-living spaces in one of Asia’s most dynamic cities.
- Can technology outsmart the housing shortage? Read more to find out.
- Hybrid hospitality: Paving the way for the future. Hybrid hospitality is probably the most sensible and sustainable approach to expansion and collaboration. Sharing of the risks and rewards amongst the landlords and operators, collectively, is the way to go.
- Node puts Brixton Coliving Development on Sale.
- Foster Flats: Modern living in the South End—save on rent and live more. Moving is tough work but worth the effort, especially when a new community offers the perfect place to call home while you get settled—and throw open the doors to explore everything the Queen City has to offer.
- Re:shape unveils 413-home Salford co-living. Located off Worrall Street in Ordsall, the development will ‘prioritise local people and key workers’ according to the developer.
The Best Co-Living Spaces for Students: A New Trend in College Housing. The conventional forms of student accommodation, including dormitories or apartments, are evolving. Co-living spaces have been identified as the latest and most viable solution to the challenges of affordability, community, and proximity that students face today.
- Harrington Solves Students' Housing Woes With Affordable Urban Co-Living Solutions
- More Conversions: Swing & Pillows Is Turning 5 Hotels in Bukit Bintang Into Co-living Spaces. Co-living is a modern housing trend where individuals share living spaces and resources within a community-oriented environment.
- London dominates, but regional co-living supplies are catching up. With co-living gaining significant traction in the UK, a new report by Knight Frank highlights that its popularity has grown outside of London.
We hope you enjoyed this edition and wish you a great weekend ahead. Reply us with your thoughts on what more you want to read and if you have any feedback.
If you want us to cover anything, please mail it to us on coliving@artof.co
Gui Perdrix & Mayank Pokharna
The Artof.Co team