Con años de recorrido en otros países, el modelo residencial en el que se comparten espacios de ocio y se fomenta el ‘networking’ entre residentes atrae a plataformas extranjeras que quieren expandirse en Madrid, Barcelona y Valencia.

Su interés crece entre jóvenes de al- rededor de 30 años, muchos de ellos emprendedores o ligados a profesiones creativas. El coliving es un nuevo estilo de vivir que atrae a este perfil de inquilino que busca la privacidad de una habitación con baño pero, a la vez, compartir espacios con otros residentes del edificio. Coliving is a new style of living that attracts a tenant profile who seeks the privacy of a room with a bathroom but, at the same time, shares spaces with other residents of the building. 

• En el gimnasio, salas de estar y comedor se disfruta de momentos de ocio y se pueden forjar relaciones amistosas.
  
• En los espacios de trabajo (coworking) se favorecen colaboraciones, contactos y nuevos proyectos empresariales.

Con una implantación de años en otros países como Inglaterra y Estados Unidos, el coliving coge impulso en España,donde poco a poco se va conociendo esta fórmula residencial, en la que pagas un alquiler mensual con derecho a habitación y espacios con servicios comunes. Algo similar a un colegio mayor, pero con unas instalaciones más cuidadas y dirigido a profesionales en busca de un es- tilo de vida distinto.

Madrid y Barcelona son los principales focos en los que desembarcan firmas de coliving de otros países, que cuentan con importantes planes de expansión en España. Una de ellas es Urban Campus, fundada en París por Jonh Van Oost un emprendedor con años de experiencia en el sector inmobiliario y en la inversión en start up. Hace unas semanas la compañía cerró una ronda de financiación por siete millones de euros, , un capital que le servirá para seguir creciendo en Europa. Madrid fue la primera ciudad europea donde comenzó sus operaciones Urban Campus, que ya gestiona dos edificios completos con viviendas bajo este formato (120 camas), ubicadas en los barrios de Argüelles y Malasaña . Los espacios destacan por un diseño colorido, funcional y desenfadado, con precios mensuales que oscilan entre los 700 y los 1.600 euros y estas tarifas incluyen habitación con baño propio, WiFi, Netflix, ser- vicio de limpieza y acceso a los espacios comunes como cocina, comedor, terraza y gimnasio.  En pocos minutos el nuevo inquilino puede formalizar el proceso de contratación a través de la plataforma de la compañíay entrar a vivir en su nueva residencia durante el periodo que desee..

PROFESSIONAL DIVERSITY

The head of operations of the company in Spain, Ana Martínez, explains that ?the tenant profile is between 27 and 40 years old and they are self-employed, employed by large corporations or professionals with experience who are studying an executive master’s degree ?. This professional diversity is sought after. ?We not only want to offer them a different experience on a personal level, but we also care about their personal development. We encourage networking among our clients which, on occasions, leads to new entrepreneurial projects ?, explains the manager. As a result of these professional relationships during the confinement, five projects arose. One of them, Martínez explains, is Copper Dating, a quick video dating app, launched by two residents of the Urban Campus. The company is already looking for new locations in other cities, such as Barcelona and Valencia, to reach 2,500 beds in two years.

DETACHMENT FROM PROPERTY

New lifestyles, the rise of remote work by so-called digital nomads, and especially detachment from property among young people are the main reasons that Damien Harburguer sees in the growing demand for this residential model. This entrepreneur, of Argentine origin, launched Flipco last year, together with his partner Gabriel Honoré. “We are heading towards a new housing paradigm, especially among the younger generations. They feel very comfortable prioritizing use over property, ?argues the entrepreneur. If the coliving sector matures in the coming years, Harburguer sees a future in which changing homes or cities will be easier and more flexible, ?without investment in furniture, or high guarantees, deposits or complex contracts? , defends. The firm already has several apartments available in the Madrid neighborhood of Tetuán, with rents ranging between 400 and 830 euros, which give the right to services such as cleaning, gym, WiFi, and a workspace. Some buildings have roof terraces to relax at the end of the day. The company will gradually add new locations in the capital thanks to the agreement reached with the Israeli fund Argis. ?Our partner has invested 50 million euros in acquiring, renovating, and equipping new properties that we will take care of managing,? explains Harburguer. The new offer will be located in Madrid, Seville, Malaga, Valencia, and the Balearic Islands.

BUY TO GROW

For Habyt, a firm born in Berlin in 2017, the Spanish market is also strategic. The injection of two million euros received in February helped it to acquire the Madrid-based coliving operator Erasmo’s Room, an operation with which it now has 500 beds, carried out months after its first purchase in the capital last year. The flats are located in different buildings, all of them located in central areas of the city such as Gran Vía, La Latina, Chueca, or Malasaña. Habyt has more than 1,000 units in Europe. “Southern Europe is a huge opportunity for us and this is where we want to continue studying new purchases to compete in this sector ?, highlights Edoard Archetti, the company’s marketing director.

ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ATLANTIC

Starcity is another of the foreign players making their way in Spain. Created in San Francisco, the cradle of global entrepreneurship, the company has raised more than 70 million dollars in financing (58 million euros). He landed in Barcelona in early 2020 at the hands of Esteve Almirall. After spending a few years in the US and seeing the possibilities of this residential model, he assembled the Starcity team for the expansion of the company in Spain, which currently has 150 beds in three buildings in Barcelona. ?In May we will open the first building in Madrid in the Tetuán neighborhood, an area that we see with great possibilities because it offers quality housing at reasonable prices, within the M30?, says Almirall, director of Starcity for Spain. The company offers prices between 500 and 900 euros per month with services included. ?One of our values ??is that we buy and manage the buildings. This is how we control the entire process of work, with a very careful design and furniture ?, he explains.

WHAT ABOUT THE FUTURE?

Almirall sees a future residential panorama where these shared homes will have more and more weight, ?being a business where large real estate companies will enter?. A scenario shared by Juan Manuel Pardo, director of the residential sector of the consulting firm JLL, who once again recalls the impossibility of the majority of young people to access a home that they own and as this shared option ?adapts very well to their demands ?. Labor mobility is, according to Pardo, another factor that will favor the rise of coliving. ?The INE assures that 12% of Spanish workers have changed municipalities in recent years, another indicator that reflects the opportunities of this formula as an option for a temporary residence until the place is achieved. suitable for the definitive one ?. And, like most emerging businesses, regulation takes longer to arrive. The JLL manager believes that a law that regulates coliving is essential, ?since it would speed up the implementation of the model and its better adaptation to the needs that society demands today,? he argues.

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