Are you ready to discover the best things to do in Lille, France?

Look no further! Lille is a charming city in Northern France known for it’s stunning architecture and distinct culture. We’ve compiled a complete list of everything from restaurants and bars to unique in-person experiences that will give you a taste of the lifestyle in Lille. Whether you are new to the city or only have a short stay in Lille, the city has something special to offer you. Come with us to discover the best things to do in Lille, France!

 

Flemish Influence 

Lille is known for its strong Flemish influence, which is reflected in the city’s architecture, cuisine, and general atmosphere. Taking a stroll with your fellow colivers through the historic Old Town is one of the best ways to marvel at the these architectural characteristics, which reflect a mixture of French and Flemish design. We also suggest exploring the Vieux Lille and Saint Sauveur neighborhoods, where you can discover several picturesque monuments. Lille was even awarded the impressive title of World Design Capital for 2020, honoring the one-of-a-kind architectural styles throughout the city. 

 

As far as architectural recommendations, we have a few. La Nouvelle Bourse, constructed in 1910, is a neo-Flemish bell tower. It is part of the Palais de la Bourse and is erected opposite the old 17th century stock exchange. The Roubaix Swimming Pool, built in 1927, is another must-see. The pool is housed within André Diligent Museum of Art and Industry, surrounded by statues and Art Deco displays. Plus, there is the façade of Notre-Dame de la Treille. This is a neo-gothic cathedral built with 100 slabs of marble and enormous stained glass windows.

 

Restaurants in Lille, France

Lille is a fantastic place to try new dishes and expand your palate. You can try some of the local specialties, which include:

• Carbonnade: a dish is made from beef, baked lard, onion, raw sugar, vinegar, light beer, rustic bread, mustard, salt, and seasonings.
• Potjevleesch: a traditional Flemish dish consisting of onions, wine, vinegar, fresh herbs, and sheep, chicken, pig, rabbit, and cow meat, slowly simmered in a crock pot.

If you’re looking for the best restaurants in Lille, check out the following places…

 

1. Octopus

Octopus is a go-to spot for any adventurous eater. This restaurant is known for their incredible octopus dishes. In fact, they even have a whole menu dedicated just to octopus. If you are craving something different, they also has a variety of other dishes including fish, veal, mussels and squid. Plus, you can peruse their extensive wine menu to pair with your meal.

Location: Octopus, 2 Pl. Sébastopol, 59000 Lille, France

 

2. Bloempot

Bloempot impressively sources 100% of their food locally from only organic or wild farming. It is located in the heart of Vieux Lille with an elegant terrace. Bloempot offers the exciting option of an “experience menu”, where the chefs decide what to cook and serve it to you with your eyes closed! As this is quite the popular restaurant, be sure to make a reservation in advance. 

Location: 22 Rue des Bouchers, 59800 Lille, France

 

3. Estaminet Au Vieux de la Vieille

Estaminet Au Vieux de la Vieille is a traditional flemish restaurant. The ambience, decoration, and music of this restaurant transport you to the northern taverns of the early 20th century. This is the perfect place to order Lille’s famous Welsh, which is a hot plate made of ham, egg and cheddar. If you’re just looking to relax with a coffee or beer, the vibe in Estaminet Au Vieux de la Vieille couldn’t be better.

Location: 2 Rue des Vieux Murs, 59800 Lille, France

 

Bars in Lille, France 

1. Artchives

Artchives is a unique blend of a bar, restaurant, and art gallery. They are known for their chic cocktails, all made with creative recipes and distinct presentation. You can drink, eat, and enjoy their contemporary art gallery, which features artistic talent from all around the world. They also host fun events like live jazz music nights.

Location: 74 Rue Jacquemars Giélée, 59800 Lille

 

2. La Biche & Le Renard

La Biche & Le Renard is an intimate bar in Lille that’s a favorite among locals and visitors alike. Renowned for its exceptional craft beer selection and expertly crafted cocktails, it’s a must-visit during your stay in Lille. The bar’s colorful interior decor adds to its vibrant atmosphere, creating a lively backdrop for drinks and dancing. With drag shows, spacious outdoor areas for large gatherings, and talented DJs, La Biche & Le Renard is the go-to spot for a dynamic and entertaining night out.

Location: 14 Rue de Gand, 59800 Lille, France

 

3. Quai Des Bananes

Renowned for their playful and visually stunning cocktails, Quai Des Bananes welcomes you into a tropical paradise. Amidst the smoky ambiance and lush, jungle-inspired decor, guests can explore their cocktail menu and also order from their snack menu. They have a menu of over 400 original cocktail creations, each with a one-of-a-kind flavor and aesthetic. Some cocktails even come with a full coconut on top of the glass!

Location: 84 Rue Royale, 59800 Lille, France

 

Cafés in Lille, France

1. Elizabeth’s Tea Rooms

Elizabeth’s Tea Rooms is a cozy tea room nestled in the city center’s charming streets. With a French-inspired ambiance, it’s the perfect spot to relax and enjoy a variety of hot or cold drinks. Their menu includes hot chocolate, tea, coffee, and fruit juice. They also offer a tempting selection of pastries, including gluten-free options, with cakes, muffins, brownies, cookies, and scones. Plus, on Sundays, they have a more extensive brunch menu to order from. 

Location: 71, Rue Basse, 59800 Lille, France

 

2. Pâtisserie Méert

Méert, the city’s oldest coffee shop, is a true place of history and tradition. Méert is perhaps best known for their exquisite Madagascar vanilla waffle, a decadent treat that’s become a hallmark of luxury. Beyond the waffles, Méert tempts visitors with an array of chocolates, teas, sweets, and coffee that can be savored on-site or taken home. Check out their various spaces in Lille, which include restaurants, tea rooms and coffee shops.

Location: 27 Rue Esquermoise, 59000 Lille, France

 

Experiences in Lille, France

1. Le Zénith

Location: 1 Boulevard des Cités Unies, 59777 Lille, France

 

2. Gare Saint Sauveur

Gare Saint Sauveur is a bustling cultural center known for its wide range of cultural events. Throughout the year, it hosts festivals dedicated to cinecomedies, music performances, BBQ gatherings, and art exhibitions – just to name a few. The center maintains a diverse and ever-changing calendar, so it is always worth a look to see what is happening at Gare Saint Sauveur.

Location: 17 Bd Jean-Baptiste Lebas, 59800 Lille, France

 

3. Hôtel de Ville de Lille

The Hôtel de ville de Lille, known as Lille’s Town Hall, is a prominent building in the city. This architectural gem was meticulously constructed between 1924 and 1932, showcasing an Art Deco style infused with Flemish neo-Renaissance influences. Notably, its belfry was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2005, joining the ranks of numerous other belfries in Belgium and France. You can visit the building and climb the 104-meter high belfry for an incredible view of Lille.

Belfry Hours:

Open Wednesday to Sunday

10 am to 1 pm and 2 pm to 5:30 pm

• by prior arrangement with the Tourist Office

Town Hall Hours: 

Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm

Saturday, 8am to 12pm

Location: 59033 Pl. Augustin Laurent, 59800 Lille, France

 

4. Wazemmes Market (Marché de Wazemmes)

Wazemmes Market offers a classic outdoor market experience that captures the essence of French street markets. Visitors can explore a variety of offerings, from fresh foods, vibrant flowers, and produce to exquisite fabrics international products. One of the largest markets in France, Wazemmes Market exudes a charming “Soho” atmosphere, combining a bustling energy with a touch of cultural flair.

Market Hours:

Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday from 7.00 am to 2.00 pm.

Covered market from Tuesday to Saturday from 8.00 am to 8.00 pm

Sunday and bank holidays from 8.00 am to 3.00 pm

Public Transport:

Metro 1, stop Gambetta

Location: Place de la Nouvelle Aventure, 59000 Lille, France

 

5. Palais des Beaux Arts

Palais des Beaux Arts stands as one of the largest and most prestigious art museums in France. Established in 1892, this cultural institution boasts a rich tapestry of artistic treasures that span centuries. Among its illustrious collection are antique pieces that date back to the 2nd century BC, alongside masterpieces by renowned artists such as Donatello, Monet, El Greco, and Picasso. The museum’s diverse offerings provide a captivating journey through the evolution of art, making Palais des Beaux Arts an invaluable destination to visit in Lille.

Location: Pl. de la République, 59000 Lille, France

Starting up a new business always involves a lot of innovation, creativity and let’s be honest…mental strength! Our Customer Support department at Urban Campus was no exception to this rule, especially when the company began. This start-up story is an interesting one to share with plenty of learnings. 

How Urban Campus Started 

When we first began the business, we had a single employee for each of our coliving buildings handling everything from Sales and Community Management to Customer Support and Property Management. This person was known as the “Community Developer,’ but we soon realized that this title did not fully align with the demands of the role. When you are starting a business, this idea can make sense, the company is new, still gaining traction and you cannot hire a big team all at once. However, as we grew, it became clear that this framework was not scalable and we all know, if you are in a startup and you cannot scale, you will fail.

Restructuring the Team

We recently reorganized our team and realigned job responsibilities based on each person’s area of expertise. This new structure allowed team members to become more focused and dedicated to their respective roles, while maintaining close collaboration with other departments.

I became the first Customer Support Manager. I started from scratch to build the strategy and the processes to get to a clear goal: answer all questions and solve customer problems fast and for good with a human touch, in a scalable way.

I understood quickly that Customer Support is a transversal subject meaning it would have an impact on every member of the team. By being in direct contact with our tenants, we knew more than anyone else on how to improve the product. This created the opportunity to improve every part of the product.

Initial Challenges

Like all great start-ups, there are challenges and opportunities, which you learn only by doing and by being in the heart of it. The first challenge was very prominent, at the time there was no clear channel for our colivers to contact Support. Some tenants would reach out via WhatsApp, while others would call, email anyone from the team, or wait to speak to one of us in person. This made it difficult to keep track of all customer inquiries and ensure that everything was being addressed in a timely manner.

We took a step back and decided to centralize all customer support questions, concerns, and recommendations to one email address. This email had two clear objectives: to create a single channel for our colivers to communicate with us, and to improve our efficiency in responding to their inquiries.

After considering different customer support communication options, we found that email was the best choice. Unlike chat-based formats, email is asynchronous, which means that clients do not have the expectation of an immediate response like they normally would a chat. Additionally, we found that our tenants were willing to take the time to explain their problems in more detail via email, which allowed us to understand their issues better and in turn provide faster and more accurate solutions.

Obviously, when it comes to the case of emergency situations, we know that an email is not enough. We set up one phone number for emergencies, which during work hours goes directly to our maintenance team. When outside of working hours or on weekends, it goes to a company specialized in space management emergencies. It is clear and to the point – perfect for these kinds of situations. 

Incorporating Technology

Once we had established the foundation for the department, we began to incorporate technology to further improve our processes. Specifically, we decided to implement Hubspot as our Customer Support tool, after seeing its effectiveness with our Sales team as a CRM.

Integrating Hubspot brought about significant changes. One very notable is the availability of metrics. Previously, we lacked the ability to track request frequency per coliving building, resolution times, or customer satisfaction. With Hubspot, we finally had a clear picture of our performance and could use these insights to identify areas for improvement. This allowed us to enhance our product offering and apply these improvements to our future colivings without having to learn from mistakes first.

For us, using technology doesn’t mean reducing the human touch. We found the right balance, so our team is still close and available. For that, good communication is the key…

Communication

In addition to the changes we have made to our customer support department, we recognize that effective communication is crucial. We strive to be proactive in communicating with our tenants, providing transparency throughout the issue resolution process. This approach has been well-received by our colivers, who appreciate being kept informed.

We provide ample information to our colivers via email, including regular updates on repairs, cleaning, and maintenance checks. We also utilize signage in our spaces and offer the Urban Campus Guide to ensure our colivers have access to the information they need.

We actively seek out opportunities to improve communication, based on feedback from our colivers. For example, when several people in Mellado Coliving asked how to use the BBQ on the terrace, we created an article on the Urban Campus Guide and placed stickers with a QR code on the BBQ for easy access. Another example is that on the third day of a tenant’s stay, we send an automatic email explaining how to recycle in the city they live in.

The Importance of Feedback

Feedback is essential to our company, as it helps us to improve our product and anticipate problems. We actively collect feedback from our colivers at various points throughout their stay, including just after booking, 25 days after move-in, 5 months after move-in, and after move-out. We also conduct random phone surveys to gauge satisfaction and identify areas for improvement.

When we receive feedback, we raise it with the relevant teams within the company, ensuring that we act on the input of our colivers. By doing so, we show our colivers that we are listening to their needs and are committed to providing the best possible experience.

We Continue

There is always a possibility to establish new processes and better the ways in which we are doing things and the truth is, we are already working on it. For example, in September 2022 the Urban Campus app was launched, designed to connect colivers to more community events, clubs and have a place for themselves. Our team has been working on also integrating a direct link for support, making the app a one-stop shop for our tenants. 

As you can see, these last years we have improved a lot and many changes have been made. Our customers are happy and that’s the best part of it! Another rewarding part is, we already see the good application of these processes, and as we grow in other cities and countries throughout the world, we are able to apply them correctly, no matter how many team members join us or how many colivings we open at once. We are ready to scale!

 

Lille, a city known for its rich and diverse food culture, is also home to an ever-growing community of vegans and plant-based food enthusiasts. As the world becomes increasingly aware of the environmental and ethical implications of animal agriculture, more people are turning to veganism as a way to live a more sustainable and compassionate lifestyle. Fortunately, Lille France  offers a wide range of restaurants and cafes that cater to vegans and provide delicious, healthy plant-based options. In this blog, we will introduce you to some of the best vegan restaurants in Lille, so you can discover the amazing variety of vegan food available in this vibrant city with your favourite colivers! 

Pickles

Pickles offers vegan and veggie homemade street food during the day and plates to share during the night. They recommend pairing it with organic wine to provide you with the perfect taste. Although their second restaurant is new to the block, their name is well known in Lille, so you know the quality is there! The new restaurant is located only a 10-minute walk from Urban Campus Saint So’ Lille Coliving.

La Clairière

The place to be every Sunday for brunch is La Clairière. They have 100% vegan and organic food with zero palm oil. The bonus is, their menu choices are mainly gluten-free. Once you enter, you will notice a cozy ambiance and two beautiful dogs welcoming you to stay and enjoy yourself. By bus, La Clairière is only 10 minutes away from the coliving, very close to the city center. 

Itsy Bitsy

If you are looking for one of the most famous restaurant and vegan caterer in Lille, Itsy Bitsy is your spot! The restaurant was created by three young women who realized there were few vegan restaurants in Europe. They were inspired by mediterranean cuisine and indian spices which are surly reflected in their meals. Homemade, colourful delicious plates are presented by Itsy Bitsy daily. Want to try it out? Luckily, it’s not too far, only located 8-minutes away by bus from Urban Campus Lille Saint So’ Coliving. 

Annie’s Kitchen

Annie’s Kitchen is known for making French traditional dishes including, blanquette, tartare, and carbonnade into vegan dishes. The people rave over the results, they truly look like “meat dishes”! If you are in doubt have a “burger” you will not be disappointed!

De Rode Koe

We wanted to give you the history of how the name of a restaurant in Lille is called De Rode Koe, meaning Red Cow. The owners named it like that because in the past, they were farmers and they used to farm red cows (a particular breed). After having spent years in the farming industry, they decided to adapt their eating habits and in turn, take care of the animals. De Rode Koe, offers many delicious vegan meals, so they should definitely be on your radar!

We are proud to announce that Urban Campus Ayora Valencia has been certified as a new BREEAM construction. This marks our second coliving to receive BREEAM certification during the design phase, with Urban Campus Mellado Madrid Coliving obtaining the first BREEAM in-use certification.

What is BREEAM and why is it important?

BREEAM, which stands for Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method, is a certification program that assesses the sustainability of buildings.
The BREEAM certification process evaluates a building’s performance in several categories: 

management, health and well-being, energy, transport, water, materials, waste, ecological land use, pollution, and innovation. The assessment is based on a set of criteria and standards that are regularly updated to reflect changes in best practices and technological advancements.

The BREEAM certification process is rigorous and involves several steps. First, a building is assessed against the BREEAM criteria and receives a score in each category. The scores are then used to determine the overall BREEAM rating of the building, which ranges from “Pass” to “Outstanding”. Buildings that receive a BREEAM rating of “Good” or above are considered sustainable and environmentally friendly.

There are several benefits to obtaining BREEAM certification. For one, it can help building owners and managers reduce their environmental impact resulting in saving money on operating costs. By improving energy efficiency, reducing water consumption, and using sustainable materials, buildings can become more efficient and cost-effective to operate.

Ayora Valencia Coliving Behind the BREEAM Certification 

Ayora Coliving has always been in mind to be the first sustainable coliving in the Valencian community, but receiving the official certification has made it a reality for our capital managers White Investing, our investors Batipart Immobilier Europe, and our team at Urban Campus as operators. 

Throughout the design phase, we prioritized building sustainability in all aspects of the project. Our collaborative effort involved several teams working together from construction to implementation to ensure that the building met our sustainability goals.

Prior to accepting new tenants into Ayora Coliving, we will be installing comprehensive technology as a method of measuring and monitoring the environmental performance of the building once operational. This is to ensure there is no overconsumption, and emissions are reduced with the help of power meters. 

We take pride in knowing that everything was thought through from the beginning of construction to ensure that Ayora Coliving met BREEAM standards. This certification not only validates our efforts but also encourages us to continue building environmentally-friendly spaces for the benefit of our occupants and the community.

 

Get Your Spoons Ready for La Louche d’Or 2023: The Ultimate Soup Festival in France is almost here!

If you are a soup lover, you will not want to miss La Louche d’Or 2023! This annual event takes place in Lille and brings together food enthusiasts from all over the world to celebrate the deliciousness of this classic dish.

La Louche d’Or has been running for over a decade now and has become a popular event on the French culinary calendar. It is a celebration of all things soup, from classic French soups like onion soup and bouillabaisse to international favorites like ramen and pho.

The event is organised by Attacafa, an association that promotes multi-cultural and richness of diversity. An extra and nice feature of this event is the fact that its designed to sensibilize the reduction of waste – the concept being, making a delicious soup with leftovers or ripe vegetables. Which we think is a very cool and conscious initiative! 

The Wazemmes District is where this huge event will take place, on May 1st 2023. You will be able to find cooking demonstrations from top chefs, workshops on making your own soup at home, and of course, plenty of opportunities to taste a variety of soups from different regions.

One of the highlights of La Louche d’Or is the soup competition. Chefs from around the world compete to create the best soup, and the winner is awarded the coveted La Louche d’Or trophy. The competition is fierce, and the soups on offer are always very unique!

Don’t want to spend all day eating soup? Don’t worry, there are also plenty of other food and drink options at the festival. You can try local cheeses, cured meats, and bread to accompany your soup, or indulge in a glass of wine or beer from the area. You will be able to enjoy all of this while watching free concerts, local artists and other activities. 

One of the main draws of La Louche d’Or is its friendly, welcoming atmosphere. The festival attracts a diverse crowd of people, from families to you and your very own colivers from Urban Campus Saint So’ Lille Coliving!

If you are planning to attend La Louche d’Or 2023, be sure to come hungry and thirsty! And as crazy as this sounds, we recommend even bringing your own spoon. You will want to sample as many soups as possible, and having your own spoon ensures you can do so without wasting plastic cutlery (#besustainable). 

We hope you have a blast at the event, and maybe even learn a recipe or two for you to be able to share with your fellow colivers! 

Where will you be able to find the best torrijas of Madrid this Holy Week? Look no further, this article will provide you with insights into the history of Semana Santa, as well as when to experience the ceremonies and where you will be able to savor the best pastries in the city this week!

History of Holy Week 

Holy Week, also known as Semana Santa, is a significant religious festivity celebrated in Spain and many other countries around the world. This week-long event begins on Palm Sunday, the Sunday before Easter Sunday, and ends on Easter Sunday.

In Spain in particular, Holy Week is a very important celebration, and many cities and towns hold processions in which religious figures are physically carried throughout the streets while accompanied by music and chanting.

What happens during Holy Week? 

As the capital city of Spain, Madrid is known for its vibrant celebrations. The processions in Madrid are organized by religious brotherhoods, or cofradías, which are responsible for carrying the religious figures known as Saints through the streets. 

The processions in Madrid typically begin on Palm Sunday, when a procession of the Virgin Mary of Sorrows and the Christ of Medinaceli takes place. On Holy Thursday, there is a procession of the Cristo de los Alabarderos, which is attended by the Spanish royal family.

One of the most impressive processions in Madrid takes place on Good Friday, when the “Procesión del Silencio” (Procession of Silence) takes place. This procession features hooded penitents who carry crosses and statues of religious figures through the streets in silence.

Where to go?

To know where to go see the processions we recommend you click on here. This article, will guide you on every procession or celebration happening throughout the entire week in Madrid, with detailed locations as well as start and finish times. 

What is the traditional desert during Holy Week? 

Torrijas are a traditional Spanish dessert made from slices of bread that are soaked in milk or wine, dipped in egg, fried until golden brown, and sweetened with sugar or honey. Typically enjoyed during Holy Week, when meat is avoided, torrijas are a filling and energy-boosting treat that originated as a practical solution to using up stale bread and affordable ingredients. Over time, torrijas have become a beloved part of Spanish cuisine, as a deliciously satisfying dessert and we can confirm this because just the people of Madrid alone, every year eat around seven million torrijas. 

Where can you try the best torrijas in Madrid?

We will be honest, every Spaniard in Madrid will say to you that the best torrijas are their mothers. However, we know not everyone’s mom is around the corner to make them some torrijas so here are some options where you can buy this pastry in Madrid. 

La Casa de las Torrijas 

If you are looking for an authentic torrija experience, look no further than La Casa de las Torrijas. The name says it all – this charming restaurant is dedicated to serving up the very best of this classic Spanish dessert. Conveniently located near Sol, just a 10-minute metro ride from Urban Campus Atocha Coliving, it’s the perfect place to immerse yourself in a truly Spanish atmosphere while indulging in this sweet treat. So gather your fellow colivers, and get ready to savor the flavors of this beloved delicacy!

Villaroys 

Villaroys is home to the best torrija in Madrid 2023, according to the prestigious prize awarded to its young chef, Martín Martínez. Despite the expected long queues, the heavenly taste of this award-winning dessert is definitely worth the wait. With over 200 Google reviews giving it a perfect 5-star rating, Villaroys is renowned for its unbeatable homemade quality. Conveniently located just a 9-minute walk away from Cuatro Caminos Coliving, you won’t want to miss out on this unforgettable culinary experience.

Umikobake 

Unlike your typical Spanish restaurant, Umikobake is a bit of a twist. They offer an beautiful array of pastries, especially known for their Japanese mochi. However, during this time of year they serve torrijas of course, and have really put themselves on the map for it! So if you are looking to venture out of the norm, give this little pastry shop a try!

Pasteleria Mallorca

For a long time, Pasteleria Mallorca has consistently produced top-quality pastry goods with great attention to detail. Their reputation as a must-visit establishment is not just limited to Madrid, but extends throughout Spain. And it’s no surprise that their torrijas have become a fan favorite, as they are so fluffy and delicious that they’re often sold out quickly. In short, Pasteleria Mallorca is a must-visit spot for those looking for the best pastries in Spain.

With over 15 years of experience in the real estate industry, Romain Crépel joins Urban Campus to accelerate the company’s development in France and Europe.

Paris, March 31, 2023 – Urban Campus, the leader in multi-format managed residential in Europe, has appointed Romain Crépel as Chief Development Officer. Drawing on his experience in residential real estate, notably with companies such as Nexity, Vinci Immobilier and in’li, Romain Crépel will direct Urban Campus’ entire development strategy.

A Strengthened Development Strategy for Urban Campus

Appointed Chief Development Officer, Romain Crépel, 37, will be responsible for bringing his experience in the real estate management sector to bear on Urban Campus’ development strategy.

His career in the real estate investment business will provide a new impetus for the company’s ambition to expand in Europe. With multiple openings currently planned in France and Spain, Urban Campus wishes to develop in the short and medium term in Italy and Portugal with new housing developers or through the restructuring of existing assets in a logic of Net Zero Artificialization.

In the French and Spanish markets, Romain Crépel will be responsible for expanding Urban Campus’ real estate portfolio by developing coliving and build-to-rent projects (targeting new audiences such as students and seniors) in the Greater Paris area and in major cities (Lille, Marseille, Lyon, Bordeaux, Nantes, Toulouse, etc.). With these new objectives, Urban Campus aims to strengthen its position as the European leader in multi-format managed residential.

“In a particularly turbulent environment, it is important to put the human element back at the center of our relationships and concerns. The various real estate products developed by Urban Campus, both in coliving and serviced family housing, advocate living together, respect for others and the environment. Our vision as a global operator in phase with the aspirations of all populations will allow us to serenely accelerate our development” comments Romain Crépel, Chief Development Officer at Urban Campus.

A Proven Experience in the Real Estate Sector

Graduated from Ecole Centrale Paris in 2007, with a specialization in Planning and Construction, Romain Crépel started his career as a real estate developer for Nexity Belgium. He then joined Edelis (formerly Akerys), first as a project manager for the General Management and the shareholders, then to develop and realize residential real estate projects. In 2012, he was appointed Program Director at Vinci Immobilier, with mixed-use projects (housing and EHPAD, housing and places of worship, or intergenerational residence).

Romain Crépel joined the company in’li in 2014, leader in intermediate housing in the Ile-de-France region. He initially held the position of program director, then that of project management director. In 2018, he was appointed Deputy Managing Director in charge of investments and construction. He implemented the development component of in’li’s strategic plan, increasing the pace of development to more than 5,000 housing units per year, both acquired under VEFA and developed through direct promotion, and managed the activities of creating real estate companies (Foncière Cronos, c. €2bn with Axa and Foncière Apec, c. €300m with Primonial and Probtp).

At the end of 2021, he will join Atland, a company specializing in commercial real estate and housing, as Director of Residential Funds, to launch a long-term residential real estate initiative.

“We are delighted to have Romain join our team. His arrival will enable us to improve our support to institutional investors in the development and restructuring of their residential real estate assets”, says John van Oost, CEO of Urban Campus.

Knowing the best after-work spots in Lille, your brand new city that you just moved into can be hard, but that is why guides like this were created. So look no further.

After a long day, you close your computer screen and head downstairs to the coworking space and lounge in your new coliving to see your friends are at and head to the town. But where should you go?

Mother

Looking for a nearby spot to grab a drink and hang out with your fellow colivers? Look no further than Mother, located just a 6-minute walk from Lille Saint So’ Coliving. This bar is the perfect spot for any night of the week, with regular events and activities to keep you entertained. Be sure to check out their calendar of events here.

With two floors of eclectic decor, Mother offers a unique and memorable experience. The bar’s concept of “Home Sweet Home” creates a welcoming atmosphere for you and your friends, and their menu of shareable plates and homemade food is sure to please. You simply can’t go wrong with a visit to this local gem. Find them at 29 Bd Jean-Baptiste Lebas.

Bistrot Saint So

During the week you will always find an afterwork event at Bistrot Saint So, but if going out during the week isn’t enough for you and you want more you are in for a treat. This bar located only a 10-minute walk from Lille Saint So’ Coliving has offers concerts and an array of parties on weekends with free entry.

Getting hungry while at Bistrot is not a problem, they offer homemade food with plenty of veggie options for you to choose from.

Head over to 17 Bd Jean-Baptiste Lebas if you are looking for a good time!

Le Nu’ 

Live DJ set, live singer, live jazz nights, all with an original cocktail menu – what a place. Le Nu’ has a beautiful rooftop terrace with a gorgeous view of the Lille Europe Station. Looking for something specifically for that perfect after work plan on Thursdays to get ready for the weekend? The DJ sets start at 6PM so get out of the office early! 

Le Nu’ is a 13-minute metro ride away at 93 Av. le Corbusier!

Café Bellot

Looking for a local spot for your after work plans? Café Bellot is the place for you, and its only 10-minutes away from the coliving! With original wines, good food and great parties on Friday until 2AM you cannot go wrong. If you walk in during the late hours, while it’s lively you will see people dancing around the tables, truly enjoying the moment. Café Bellot  – 1 Rue Jeanne d’Arc is waiting for you!

Le Lovibond 

Le Lovibond is likely to provie you with that warm earthy feeling. Known to be such a welcoming bar with a very chic atmosphere and mezzanine to take it all in. Organic food, vegetables from the local market, numerous veggie options and best of all – local beers. 

To add to the local, they have jam sessions on Saturday nights! Le Lovibond is a 17-minute walk from Urban Campus Lille Coliving, on 169 Bd de la Liberté. 

Urban Campus, the European specialist in multi-format managed residential, officially opens the doors of its first French coliving residence – 38 studios and one-bedroom apartments – which marks its deployment in France. 

Paris le xx – Urban Campus has been welcoming its first tenants to the territory since February, in a completely renovated four-storey coliving residence, in the heart of Lille, Rue de Douai.

The Saint So’ coliving residence, based on its principle of living together, sharing, and flexibility, allows each tenant to have a private apartment (studios and one-bedroom apartments with bedroom, bathroom, kitchen) and large common areas (kitchen, living room, terrace, coworking spaces, gym, library, cinema room). The layout and decoration of each room were carried out with LA.M Studio , an interior and design studio so that each tenant feels at home.

A tailor-made rental experience for working people

People are at the heart of the commitments of Urban Campus, which offers a flexible rental offer adapted to workers in the region and elsewhere who wish to settle in Lille. In addition to their apartments, residents have access to various services according to their needs: cleaning services, supply of sheets or even a basket of seasonal vegetables.

In addition, the uniqueness of Urban Campus lies in the animation of its community, each resident benefits from the “Community Development” program. Thanks to the various activities and initiatives offered by the community developer, everyone has the opportunity to develop personal, associative and professional projects (such as collections for associations, speaking circles, tasting evenings, film and documentary screenings ,) with the aim of strengthening ties and creating synergies.

Responding to housing needs in a dynamic region

To make its arrival on the French market, Urban Campus has chosen to settle in the rue de Douai, in the center of Lille, near the Saint-Sauveur station. Due to its European dimension, the city of Lille is a real breeding ground for employment. This new co-living residence therefore provides a solution to the demographic pressure encountered by the city and promotes the residential and professional mobility of young workers.

This first opening will be reinforced, next year, by a second coliving residence of 121 apartments in La Maillerie , located 15 minutes from the center of Lille.

Already present in Spain since 2017 with 5 residences, Urban Campus continues to develop its coliving and multi-format managed residential offer. The company has already announced 4 coliving and Built-to-rent projects which will open by 2025 and aims to open around thirty other residences in Europe within 5 years.

More and more people are looking for flexibility in their daily lives, also in the apartments where they live. This has led to the takeoff of new housing formulas in Spain, halfway between residential rental and vacation homes. Thus, according to the real estate consulting firm CBRE, investment in flexible apartments will soar in Spain to almost 670 million euros in 2022.

According to the consultancy, at the close of 2022 there were less than 3,000 beds within this asset type in complete buildings in Spain, concentrated in Madrid (65%) and Barcelona (35%), to which another 8,500 will be added in development over the next three years.

This business is in an initial phase and in the process of professionalization, which is why during 2021 it accounted for only 7% of the total invested in residential assets, with around 200 million. During 2022, investment has shot up to €666 million (15% of total investment), multiplying by 3.5.

Types of Accommodation: Three Typologies

Within this type of accommodation there are three products. One of them is known as coliving, with complete residential buildings in city centers and few common areas. This is a community-centered product (in some cases with shared bathrooms and kitchen) with added services and for average stays of nine to twelve months.

Another category is the product developed in the outskirts of cities on tertiary land with an aparthotel license and for short and medium stays (weeks or even days). This type of property, which offers the greatest potential due to its size, has large shared areas with, among other services, parking, gym, coworking space, gym, social club, outdoor swimming pool and laundry. The price of the accommodation includes all utilities (electricity, water, heating, etc.), WiFi and cleaning.

The third product is more holiday-oriented, in coastal or rural areas, and is aimed mainly at digital or energy nomads (people looking to save costs in their countries of origin and move to warmer areas) with an average stay of between one and three months.

Noteworthy Operations

These include Be Casa Rivas, which opened its doors in early December last year to welcome the first tenants of its serviced apartments, as reported by idealista/news.

It is an asset located in Rivas-Vaciamadrid (Madrid), which has had an investment of 85 million euros, which have resulted in a property of 843 apartments with a multitude of amenities.

Momentum launched a second portfolio of serviced apartments in 2021 with Bain Capital, with 2,845 units under development in Alcobendas and Carabanchel, in Madrid, Sant Cugat (Barcelona) and Barakaldo (Bilbao). The management of these apartments will be entrusted to Node, a company specializing in temporary accommodation.

Argis, a Spanish fund manager of Israeli and Latin American origin, currently manages 800 flexible rental units through Flipco! and a month ago acquired a property on Cavanilles street to build 200 more units. The company’s goal is to add 5,000 flexible apartments in two years.

Other investors present are Round Hill Capital, which bought 230 apartments in Valdebebas for 30 million in 2021, or the real estate investment and asset management company Dazia Capital, with projects in Tetuán and Valdebebas.

Livensa Living (controlled by the Canadian fund Brookfield) has a line of flexible housing. Through Livensa Living Studios, it has projects in Madrid, San Sebastian, Malaga, Bilbao and Valencia.

As for operators, in addition to those already mentioned, Urban Campus, founded by John van Oost and Maxime Armand; Dovevivo, owned by Starwood Capital Group; the German company Habyt; Live It, a brand of the Spanish company SmartRental; ColivINN, founded by Alejandro Fernández Luengo, and the Spanish coliving company The Residential Club (TRC) are also operating in Spain. 

If you would like to read the original article in Spanish from Idealista please click here.