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March 1, 2024

Read the full article HERE.

  • The 2024 finance law in France signifies a paradigm shift by focusing on affordable housing, creating a legislative framework that benefits both citizens and investors while fostering social inclusion.
  • Urban Campus is actively involved in shaping policies to ensure access to affordable and sustainable housing, offering services and rentals at fixed prices.
  • The French initiative could serve as a model for Spain, suggesting a collaboration between the public and private sectors to solve the housing crisis.

 

Progress in the Affordable Housing Sector in France

The future of urban living and affordable housing

Ana Martínez, the Chief Operations Officer for Iberia at Urban Campus, discusses the impact of the new housing law in France, highlighting how this legislation brings significant changes to the sector by emphasizing affordable housing and social inclusion. The law benefits not just French citizens but also investors committed to the affordable housing sector.

Urban Campus plays a significant role in this transformation, working with lawmakers to develop policies that not only facilitate housing access but also promote sustainability. By adopting an approach focused on shared economy, Urban Campus is redefining the concept of urban community through projects that offer included services such as Wi-Fi, gyms, and coworking areas. These are also part of their “Build to Rent” schemes, located in places such as Colombes and Le Bourget.

 

Affordable Housing in Spain

The future of urban living and affordable housing

This approach contrasts with the situation in Spain, where despite efforts, there is still room for improvement in collaboration between the public and private sectors to address the housing crisis. The French legislation could inspire new legislation in Spain, promoting a collaborative model that benefits all involved parties.

Urban Campus’s strategy, aligned with ESG principles, proposes eco-friendly buildings and housing that not only meet current needs but also set a standard for the future of urban housing. This combined with their sharp insight towards the ever-changing needs of urban dwellers is marking a new paradigm in the European real estate sector.

Want to read more about Urban Campus? 

January 30th, 2024

  • Urban Campus is set to open La Maillerie, Lille Coliving in summer 2024.
  • This new construction venture is supported by Nhood (real estate provider) and Batipart (investor).
  • The La Maillerie coliving marks Urban Campus’ largest coliving project, with a total of 121 units.
  • The building features a unique design of shared cluster units in cozy, standard, or premium categories.

We are expanding in Lille! 

Urban Campus is thrilled to announce the continued progress of the La Maillerie Coliving venture in Lille, set to open in the summer of 2024. This innovative coliving development, in partnership with Nhood and Batipart, has been meticulously designed from the ground up to embody the essence of coliving. The building will offer 121 units, making it Urban Campus’ largest coliving space to date.

La Maillerie, Lille Coliving coming in summer 2024

 

Urban Campus La Maillerie, Lille Coliving 

The La Maillerie, Lille Coliving will have a distinctive design featuring cluster units. These units are crafted to balance private and communal living, offering residents their own private bedrooms alongside sleek, shared common areas. Also, future colivers will have the choice of cozy, standard, and premium living options. Each category offers different amenities and modern layouts. 

Urban Campus has always been committed to providing exceptional common spaces for community-building and connection. This project is no different, including state-of-the-art common zones like:

  • Coworking Space
  • Gym
  • Cinema Room
  • Event Space
  • Lounge
  • Shared Kitchen
  • Expansive Terraces
  • Patio

 

La Mallerie in Villeneuve-d’Ascq

La Maillerie, Lille Coliving coming in summer 2024

La Maillerie is a historic district undergoing a vibrant transformation. It is nestled in the tranquil Villeneuve-d’Ascq region of Lille. This rapidly developing area is becoming a hub for professional opportunities, thanks to its proximity to the headquarters of major corporations like Auchan, Bonduelle, and Leroy Merlin

The area is also home to universities and specialized schools, including the prestigious EDHEC Business School Campus. This blend of industrial growth and educational excellence makes La Maillerie an ideal place for professional development and networking.

Additionally, the neighborhood is a haven for nature lovers and cultural enthusiasts. The region boasts extensive green spaces, including the Parc du Héron nature reserve. Furthermore, the culinary scene is vibrant, highlighted by the internationally recognized Les Halles Biltoki food market. This renowned market is a central spot in the neighborhood, and is conveniently located less than 5 minutes from our new coliving. 

La Maillerie is ideally situated at the crossroads of the Croix and Villeneuve-d’Ascq areas, offering a perfect blend of local charm and convenience. The location also provides access to the lively city center of Lille. 

 

Urban Campus: Expanding and Growing

La Maillerie, Lille Coliving coming in summer 2024!

The launch of La Maillerie is a significant milestone in the ongoing expansion and growth of Urban Campus. Our vision is to revolutionize the concept of urban living, and this venture is a leap forward in that direction.

Above all, we are dedicated to creating innovative living spaces that adapt to the evolving needs of the modern world. This new venture is a pivotal step in our mission to broaden our reach across France. It is a symbol of our growing commitment to enhancing urban life through innovative living solutions.

Explore more: 

Tuesday, November 28th, 2023

Urban Campus has officially announced the opening of a new coliving space: Urban Campus Avenida América, Madrid Coliving!

  • This is a new operation in partnership with the French group Batipart.
  • The new coliving space is scheduled to open in March 2024.
  • With this project, Urban Campus plans to end 2023 operating more than 406 units in Spain.

 

Urban Campus Avenida América, Madrid Coliving 

Urban Campus announces new Avenida América, Madrid coliving 1

Real estate leader Urban Campus continues its expansion with the opening of a new coliving space in Madrid, named “Urban Campus Avenida América, Madrid Coliving.”

This project will be the company’s sixth coliving in Madrid, located at 23 Béjar Street. It includes 54 units and more than 2,042 square meters with modernly designed rooms, studios, and common areas. The coliving is scheduled to open its doors in March 2024.

Consistent with the ethos of Urban Campus’ coliving spaces, the Avenida de América residence is designed to provide an immersive community-focused living experience. It will feature a array of accommodation options, from private rooms to expansive studios. 

The building also boasts over 105 square meters of space of common zones, embodying the signature Urban Campus experience. These common areas will be comprised of a coworking space, fitness center, communal kitchen, internal patio, and multiple terraces. Plus, there will be dedicated bicycle parking.

 

Sustainability

Urban Campus announces new Avenida América, Madrid coliving 3

Committed to sustainability, Urban Campus has redesigned and optimized the building to conserve energy and resources. They used furniture for both the common areas and rooms from locally certified ESG brands, including recycled materials and FSC-certified or recycled woods. 

Additionally, the common areas will be equipped with automatic sensors that modulate lighting and air conditioning. This will help promote resource conservation and reduce the building’s environmental footprint.

 

The Growth of Urban Campus

Urban Campus announces new Avenida América, Madrid coliving 4

The inauguration of Urban Campus’s Avenida América location represents a significant milestone in the company’s expansion journey. Urban Campus has set its sights on concluding 2023 with a substantial portfolio of 406 units under operation. This achievement paves the way for an impressive growth projection, which is forecasted to exceed 200% for the upcoming year of 2024.

With the execution of this new coliving space, Urban Campus also continues to strengthen its relationship with Batipart. Batipart has acted as the investor and promoter for this new building, while Urban Campus is developing the design and will manage its daily operation after opening.

 

Urban Campus announces new Avenida América, Madrid coliving

Casilda Mulliez, Head of Business Development – Iberia, highlighted: “This new operation represents a significant step in implementing our strategic plan. It will allow us to end 2023 achieving our goal of operating more than 406 beds. We are proud of our sustained growth, and continue to listen to the service and design needs of our residents. This has also helped position us as leaders in terms of the average length of stays, which already exceed 12 months.”

 

Explore more Urban Campus news here: 

September 14th, 2023

  • In Interiors writes about Urban Campus’ expertise in Build-to-Rent (BTR) real estate, reflecting on the general growth of coliving and BTR opportunities. 

 

What is Build-to-Rent?

Build-to-Rent (BTR) is an Anglo-Saxon concept that spans much broader than just coliving. Urban Campus, founded in 2016 and with current operations in France and Spain, specializes in BTR. Build-to-Rent involves an investor purchasing an entire building for rental purposes and entrusting its management to a professional operator, like Urban Campus. BTR buildings typically include some form of private living spaces, ranging from shared rooms to one-bedroom or two-bedroom units. They also offer various shared spacious and optional services tailored to different target demographics.

Build-to-Rent differs from coliving in several ways. In coliving, rent typically includes utilities, internet, and cleaning services. Build-to-rent apartments may not always be furnished, and the services tend to be more varied. BTR complexes still feature shared amenities like coworking spaces, communal kitchens, fitness rooms, and game rooms. In both cases, common spaces are accessible to residents without the need for reservations or additional payments, creating a unique blend of private and shared living experiences.

 

Advantages of Build-to-Rent Real Estate

In Interiors and Urban Campus discuss Build-to-Rent Real Estate

Maxime Armand, co-founder and director of operations at Urban Campus, emphasizes the benefits of BTR. Some advantages include well-designed apartments with essential amenities, simplified daily living, convenient services, and a strong sense of community. He also discusses Urban Campus’s ambition to create residential products that cater to a wider audience, building upon their current expertise in France and Spain.

Urban Campus is actively working on several Build-to-Rent projects in collaboration with real estate partners and investors. These projects include apartment complexes with various unit sizes, shared spaces, and additional amenities. Urban Campus aims to expand its portfolio to manage approximately thirty residences by 2026.

Read the original article from In Interiors here.

September 6th, 2023

  • Urban Campus announces the opening of Cuatro Caminos II for 2024. This project is the second phase of the Cuatro Caminos Madrid Coliving, already operated by Urban Campus and located on Topete Street.
  • This new coliving meets significant sustainability benchmarks. The project is build in alignment with the passivhaus standard, is carbon neutral, and will serve as a renewable energy producer. 
  • Cuatro Caminos II will be the first coliving space with a wooden structural framework in all of Spain. 
  • The developer and investor is the French group Batipart.

 

Cuatro Caminos II

Urban Campus announces the opening of Cuatro Caminos II

Urban Campus, in partnership with Batipart, continues their leadership in the coliving space.

They are embarking on an innovative venture, constructing the very first coliving space with a wooden structural framework in all of Spain. Situated in the vibrant Tetuán district of Madrid, Cuatro Caminos II Madrid Coliving represents a significant step forward in the field of coliving, championing environmental sustainability and resource efficiency. This project is the second phase of the Cuatro Caminos Madrid Coliving, already operated by Urban Campus and located on Topete Street.

Cuatro Caminos II Madrid Coliving will span approximately 1,825 square meters with 32 units (rooms in clusters), each equipped with private bathrooms, shared kitchens and lounges. Residents will enjoy an array of amenities characteristic of Urban Campus coliving spaces. These include coworking zones, fitness facilities, a shared kitchen, an interior courtyard, terraces, and bicycle parking.

 

Leadership in Carbon Neutral Emissions

Efficiency and sustainability are at the heart of Urban Campus’s mission, and this project exemplifies their commitment. Many of the company’s buildings already hold prestigious sustainability certifications like BREEAM. However, Cuatro Caminos II Madrid Coliving stands out as their first project featuring a wooden structural framework, marking a pioneering achievement in Spain’s coliving landscape.

Furthermore, this coliving facility will be constructed in line with the Passivhaus standard and will achieve carbon neutrality, resulting in an impressive 80% reduction in energy consumption for its residents. The building will even serve as a renewable energy producer, generating 20 kWp of photovoltaic power. Notably, excess renewable energy will partially supply the neighboring building, the first phase of the coliving project, which is already operational. Thanks to its wooden structure and high-efficiency measures, the building will hold a CO2-neutral certification throughout its lifecycle.

 

The Growth of Urban Campus

Casilda Mulliez, head of Real Estate and Business Development at Urban Campus, expressed the importance of this project. “This new project is a significant reflection of Urban Campus’s strategic direction: leading new residential models that are not only efficient but also sustainable. We are one of the largest coliving operators and leaders in carbon-neutral assets, positioning us as a market reference.”

This is a collaborative project in which several actors are involved. Batipart, as developer and investor; sAtt, as architectural firm and Artelia as Project Manager, among others. Urban Campus has already participated in the development of the coliving architecturally and will participate in the design and conceptualization of the interior. They will also be in charge of managing the building.

Cuatro Caminos Madrid Coliving Phase I is already operational, while construction has commenced on the second building. The grand opening of Cuatro Caminos II Madrid Coliving is scheduled for the last quarter of 2024.

July 20th, 2023

  • Casilda Mulliez & Urbanitae discuss the growth of coliving while she reflects on Urban Campus’ recent expansion and future plans.

The interview discusses the growing popularity of coliving as a housing trend in Spain. Coliving involves residents sharing common spaces and living in a community, providing an alternative to traditional residential rentals. Urban Campus is dedicated to creating and managing coliving buildings, emerging in 2016 to address the changing needs of younger generations who prioritize digital services and community living.

 

Urban Campus in Valencia

Urban Campus manages several coliving buildings in European cities, including Lille, France and multiple locations in Madrid. The company recently launched its first greenfield coliving building in Valencia, Spain with support from White Investing and Batipart. This building features 41 studios with shared amenities such as a gym, coworking spaces, and a rooftop terrace. The coliving model is targeted at young professionals, and Urban Campus offers a variety of inclusive services, creating a comfortable and welcoming community for long-term stays.

 

The Concept of Coliving

The coliving concept aims to add value to rental housing by offering fully furnished, turnkey solutions with quality standards and shared spaces. For investors, coliving provides a stable return similar to residential assets, but with an additional market premium that makes it appealing. The coliving market is still relatively new in Spain and Europe, with various players and different concepts being explored.

Urban Campus plans to expand its presence in Spain by considering projects in Barcelona and Malaga, while also exploring opportunities in other cities like Palma de Mallorca and Bilbao. The profile of colivers is typically young professionals between the ages of 25 and 40, both Spanish and international, who prefer the coliving option for its community-focused living experience.

Overall, coliving it is still a relatively small market compared to traditional residential rentals in Spain and Europe. However, it is seen as a positive development in the real estate industry, offering an improved rental experience and attracting investors due to its stable returns and market appeal. 

Read the full interview here.

 

On Saturday, July 8th 2023, À Punt Media featured the opening of our new coliving building in Ayora, Valencia. Community Manager Paz Lucero guided the crew through the building’s brand new common areas, which include a lounge, kitchen, gym, coworking space and rooftop terrace.

They also toured our different private studio options, exploring the amenities that come in our cozy, standard and premium studios. Our newly inaugurated colivers explained why they were drawn to Urban Campus and what they think about the coliving experience. As the first greenfield coliving project in the whole Valencian Community, we were thrilled to showcase our Ayora building and provide more insight on Urban Campus’ mission.

  • The new project will be located on Guillem de Anglesola street, with 41 individual units.
  • The building has the BREEAM “Very Good” sustainable construction certification.

Madrid, July 6, 2023

Urban Campus Ayora, Valencia Coliving is opening its doors! This Friday, July 7, the first greenfield coliving in the city of Valencia will be operational and begin welcoming new tenants. The project was developed by the Valencian firm White Investing with additional support from by Batipart, one of the leading real estate investors in Europe. Urban Campus participated in the design and conceptualization of the building interior, and is in charge of managing it.

After 18 months of construction, the building is opening with 100% of the 41 individual units reserved. The building is located at 16 Guillem de Anglesola Street and has more than 200 m2 of common space including a gym, lounge, a rooftop terrace and coworking area.

Terrace
Terrace
Terrace
Terrace
Common Space
Common Space - Kitchen
Common Space - Kitchen
Common Space
Common Space
Common Space
Common Space
Common Space
Coworking Area
Coworking Area
Phone Booth
TV Room
Gym
Gym
Laundry
Entrance

Ayora Coliving is also BREEAM “Very Good” certified. The building was conceived with the aim of being the first environmentally sustainable new-build coliving in the Valencian Community. The BREEAM certification process is rigorous and consists of several steps. After an initial assessment, a building is evaluated in specific categories to determine an overall score for sustainability. The benchmarks of the BREEAM certification focus on the reduction of water consumption and improvement of building operational efficiency.

The opening of the Ayora coliving space strengthens Urban Campus’ leadership in Spain. Urban Campus continues to grow its residential coliving model in the Spanish market, with presence in the country’s main cities. In line with their market strategy, the new building is located in one of the most sought-after neighborhoods in Valencia, where the stunning Ayora Palace stands out with its modernist design.

Casilda Mulliez, head of Real Estate and Business Development at Urban Campus, shared, “We are especially excited about this project because it is our first new-build coliving that we are launching. We have worked with the developer from the beginning in the design of the building and thus created housing perfectly suited to young professionals. We are delighted to inaugurate a coliving in Valencia, one of the largest cities in Spain with one of the best qualities of life, and in one of the most upgraded neighborhoods. We thank both Batipart and White Investing for trusting our management to develop Urban Campus Ayora”.

  • Urban Campus formalizes an agreement with Vitruvio to open its sixth coliving building in Madrid.
  • The new project will be located at 4 Duque de Rivas Street, very close to Madrid’s Plaza Mayor. The property will have a surface area of 3,100 square meters and will accommodate 44 apartments.

Madrid, June 14, 2023. Urban Campus continues its growth strategy in the Spanish market. The leading operator of residential coliving buildings will open a new asset in Madrid in partnership with SOCIMI Vitruvio. The new project will be located at 4 Duque de Rivas Street, very close to the central Plaza Mayor of the capital.

In its constant search for quality products and alliances with institutional investors, Urban Campus has signed a management contract with SOCIMI for a centrally located building in Madrid, which will be renovated by Vitruvio as a residential rental building with common areas for young professionals. “This alliance is great news for Vitruvio and Urban Campus. Investing in improving the quality and residential offering in the center of Madrid is consistent with our philosophy and positioning, but also much needed to revitalize an aging urban center. Vitruvio is carrying out a very profound transformation in this building, with a lot of prior urban planning work and now construction to execute it. As a result of the above and with Urban Campus’ management, we expect to create a lot of value for Vitruvio’s shareholders,” says Jorge de Vera, Vitruvio’s investment manager.

It is a historic building constructed in 1900 and located in the heart of the La Latina neighborhood, very close to Calle Mayor. It shares its location with the noble building of the Viana Palace, annexed to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The property, which will become a fully dedicated coliving space, will undergo a comprehensive renovation to provide 44 units. The offerings will range from individual studios to one-bedroom apartments, as well as clustered studios (shared rooms with kitchen and living room). The building’s common areas are Urban Campus’ hallmark, as their focus is on creating buildings where tenants have access to a community of like-minded individuals compared to other residential options. Therefore, the property reserves over 180 square meters for spaces such as coworking areas for tenants, a gym, a kitchen, and an events and meeting area.

The interior design of the building has been entrusted to the Urban Campus team, who will operate it once it opens at the end of 2024. With this upcoming opening, the company will have a total of 300 units in the Spanish market.

According to Casilda Mulliez, Urban Campus’ Real Estate and Business Development Manager for Iberia, “This project consolidates our presence in the Spanish market. With Duque de Rivas, we will have a presence in the main and best neighborhoods of Madrid, thus ensuring strategic growth thanks to alliances with investment groups. We will continue to seek opportunities in the capital to strengthen our presence and offer turnkey accommodation solutions to a generation that seeks comfort, community, and services.”

Madrid, June 6, 2023.

Happier, more active, and with lower stress levels. This is the conclusion of the latest impact report presented by Urban Campus on its tenants, after doubling the number of buildings it operates in a year and consequently doubling the number of colivers in its community.

The combination of convenience and social commitment has shown that 57% of Urban Campus residents lead a healthier lifestyle since living in Urban Campus, with 54% of them believing that their stress levels have decreased and 52% feeling that their mental health has improved.

Urban Campus, the leading operator of complete coliving buildings, has presented its new Coliving Impact Report at its Malasaña space in Madrid. It is a comprehensive analysis of the impact of coliving aimed at sharing knowledge and showcasing the impact of coliving on its tenants and the neighborhoods where they are located. It draws conclusions about this residential model based on a survey conducted among all its residents.

As Urban Campus has grown in size, it has perceived the impact on its operations and the satisfaction of its colivers. After stabilizing its operations, it has gained a clearer understanding of how to standardize its processes and maintain consistency as expansion continues.

The opening of new buildings has increased the proportion of private units (studios and apartments), resulting in a slight change in the target customer compared to previous reports. This past year, the target, based on 35 different nationalities, remains a single profile (73%) without children (100%), although the average age has increased to 35 years.

The study reveals that the main reason people choose to live on an Urban Campus is to have access to an international community of like-minded individuals compared to other residential options. The convenience of paying for services (Wi-Fi, electricity, and maintenance) in a single bill, as well as the flexibility of stays (from three months onwards) compared to other models, also contribute to this choice.

After moving in, Urban Campus tenants confirm that the community created in the buildings is a space to connect and develop a sense of belonging. Thus, 73% of the surveyed individuals claim to have more social interactions, and 65% feel less lonely. Similarly, 68% participate in one or two events per week. All of this translates into more than half of the tenants (60.4%) feeling at home in less than a month.

Building a thriving community

Believing in the importance of social well-being, Urban Campus has developed new strategies to empower tenants and allow them to build their best experiences. In line with this, they launched a members’ app, enabling tenants to connect and organize events with greater autonomy. To date, 92% of tenants have downloaded the app, with an average of 49 sessions per quarter per user.

Furthermore, to foster a sense of belonging and engage with the neighborhoods, Urban Campus has initiated collaborations with NGOs such as Fundación Ocean Born and formed alliances with local businesses (Al Son de Cuba, Coppelia, Prana Yoga, and Spoiler Bar).

Comfort is an absolute priority for Urban Campus tenants, regardless of the number of buildings managed. The effort lies in offering an exceptional living experience that combines comfort with a vibrant social community, where residents can participate in events and clubs that promote a healthier lifestyle.

Coliving as a long-term solution

While the professional situation of its tenants is quite similar to previous years (with 73.5% being workers, 20.8% combining studies and work, and 5.7% being students only), the recent openings have attracted new tenants that have affected the average duration of their stays. These tenants feel more comfortable and familiar with their environment, leading them to take active community roles. These roles can include initiating conversations with new residents, participating in events, and organizing activities.

On the other hand, the average length of stay used to be around 12 months, although, with the opening of new centers and consequently new contracts, the average has decreased to 11 months. However, tenants who stay in Urban Campus colivings in the long term usually feel more comfortable and familiar with their environment, leading them to take active roles in the community.

A solid and creative community

By gathering these valuable opinions, Urban Campus can study sector trends and improve its community’s experience. The feedback collected from this latest report has received a score of 8 out of 10.

As staunch advocates that the growth of Urban Campus does not solely consist of expanding the business, the company is committed to ensuring tenant satisfaction and constantly seeking ways to improve their experience. It also encourages all residents to participate in creating a solid and creative community.

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