Happy Tuesday everyone 💥 The last seven days were packed with events - from co-organizing Lisbon's coliving meetup to moderating the Brave New World of Alternatives, encounters and fruitful conversations were the leading theme... which led me to go back into content production and relaunching my Instagram. This week I'm in Madrid before taking off to Biarritz and back to Paris - if you're there, check out the events below and let's meet up 😋
And now, time to dig into this week's coliving news...
UC BERKELEY LAUNCHES THE HOUSING LAB
It’s happening: an accelerator for projects that fight the housing crisis. UC Berkeley, supported by the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, is launching a lab that will explore how urban models, regulations, and shared living can become a solution to a rapidly growing real estate crisis.
WHEN COLIVING GOES INTO COWORKING
Last week, I covered how coworking space Ziferblat moved in coliving, and Indonesian coworking operator EV Hive just launched its own coliving brand. This week, we cover the opposite movement: coliving operator NestAway is launching Hello World, a concept mixing coworking, hostel, and coliving. My assumption is that more operator will test out hybrid models of space and services, widening their audience and positioning. For example, coliving/hotel operator Selina launched its own coworking spaces. So, who will be next?
INDIAN FUND INVESTS INTO COLIVING
The mutual fund JM Financial Fund II just bought stakes in co-living operator Isthara Parks. That’s good news. Why? Because it means that coliving is becoming a trusted model by institutional investors and passed the stage of “needing to prove itself” as its own asset class. My guess is that more funds will follow shortly.
TURNING HOUSES INTO COLIVING FOR ELDERLY
We often associate “coliving” with the Millenial generation. Australia is showing that the trend lies in turning houses in coliving space - but this time, for elderly. The housing crisis makes micro-apartments and coliving spaces sometimes the only options for those who can’t afford to own or rent a house. And programs such as Small is the New Big are helping educate both investors and the very market.
A MODEL FOR CITIES OF THE FUTURE
In sight of the rapidly growing urbanization, National Geographic interviewed leading urban planners and architects on how their model of future cities would look like. Overall, their focus would lie on modular construction, intergenerational housing, urban farming, and the utilization of roof space. On the flip side, I’m missing the usage of underground space (such as tunnels) and a higher focus on shared housing.
A LOOK INTO LYF’S INTERIOR DESIGN
Coliving operator lyf, a sub-brand of service residence operator The Ascott, is opening its new location in Singapore. Their focus: strong interior design and local neighbourhood integration. Plus, they offering varies from suites to shared living spaces. A refreshing look for interior designers.
IS THE LONELINESS EPIDEMIC REAL?
I’ve been mentioning the rising trend in loneliness a few times. The topic has led the UK to create a Ministry of Loneliness, services such as People Walker lets residents book a “companion” to feel less lonely when walking in the streets, and FastCompany recently covered the re-emergence of social clubs. Now, this Guardian article is questioning the very fundamentals of the problem: that there is a difference between social isolation, loneliness, and solitude – and that the reduction of those doesn’t have to necessarily correlate with a reduction of well-being. What's your stake on this?
Read it (and let me know what you think)
CROWDFUNDING IN THE PROPTECH SCENE
Matchmaker Whoomies is tackling a new approach for its fundraising round: crowdequity. The startup, which focusses on matching residents within shared living spaces, is opting to raise in cooperation with its very own community. Some coliving spaces have done similarly, such as Vine 21 and Collett’s Corner. This can be an alternative approach for spaces and proptech solutions to build community and raise funding at the same time.
EXPANSION, EXPANSION, EXPANSION
And at last, here’s what’s happening: Common is coming to Canada with a 24-story tower. Medici plans to expand to Ireland with 5 new locations. The Collective is coming to Miami. And Art/Earth/Tech is opening its coliving hub in Berlin.
Coliving Meetup Madrid
June 26th, Madrid (RSVP here)
Co-working and Co-living Spaces: The Future of Indian Real Estate
June 28, Bengaluru (register here)
MIPIM Proptech Europe
July 1-2, Paris (buy tickets)
OpenUP Session #HabiterDemain
July 3, Paris (RSVP here)
Coliving Meetup Paris
July 4th, Paris (respond to RSVP)
Coming soon… Kreativquartier
July 11, Munich (register here)
LARGEST RESEARCH TO DATE ON COLIVING BEST PRACTICES 📗
This one blew my mind away. NYC’s Citizens Housing & Planning Council conducted an extensive research on best practices in shared living spaces. Entitled “Making Shared Housing Work”, it covers all areas from resident choosing to cleanliness and leasing arrangement. And a checklist of best practices.
Read the report (it’s a must)
A PROGRAM TO EDUCATE INVESTORS ON COLIVING 📈
What is houses could be turned into coliving spaces and reduce the real estate crisis? Small is the New Big is currently tackling this dilemma. With the objective to complete 1 million self-contained homes by December 2027, the program aims at educating investors on high returns while simultaneously make an impact on the housing affordability crisis in Australia.
“All of humanity's problems stem from man's
inability to sit quietly in a room alone.”
- Blaise Pascal, in Pensées (1670)
Enjoyed those news? Would love if you could send it to ONE person that would enjoy it as well. Thanks for your support!
Happy Monday!
- Gui
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