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.

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.

Urban Campus and in’li are continuing their partnership in Île-de-France with the acquisition and co-living management of a new coliving residence in Bagneux by Nexity with 78 new studios at competitive rates and aimed at young working people.

Paris, March 16, 2023, Urban Campus , a French real estate player that designs and manages coliving and Build-to-Rent (BTR) residences, announces, in collaboration with in’li and Nexity , the signing of a new off-plan coliving residence, with 78 studios in Bagneux (92), the construction of which has been entrusted to Nexity with architects from V&A Société d’Architecture. 

Just three months after signing a similar project in Ivry-sur-Seine for 165 coliving studios, Urban Campus confirms its establishment in the Paris region, this time in Hauts-de-Seine. At the same time, the residential real estate specialist is continuing its development in France with, among other things, projects in Alsace and Hauts-de-France and is preparing to market its first coliving residence in Lille very soon.

A response to the shortage of attractive housing suffered by young working people.

Faced with the increasing difficulties encountered by young workers in accessing rental accommodation, Urban Campus and in’li, under the project management of Nexity, are offering in a competitive market, 78 new studios for coliving at competitve rates, which provides a more affordable option compared to traditional rental offers.

These new housing units with attractive rates, are close to employment markets and various transportation options, promoting residential and professional mobility for a whole segment of the population who today have great difficulty finding housing. The new arrivals will consist of young people at the start of their careers or employees on medium or long-term assignments are who will find this new rental offer an adequate response to their expectations and needs.

In order to guarantee these innovative real estate solutions, the residence will be managed by Urban Campus as part of a long-term management contract and the management strategy of in’li, an institutional lessor subsidiary of the Action Logement group. In’li’s mission is to develop an affordable and sustainable housing offer in tense areas to bring middle-class employees and young workers closer to their workplace.

The recognized experience of Urban Campus in the management of coliving residences provides the community of residents with support conducive to exchanges, sharing, and synergies. A whole program of entertainment and events promotes the feeling of belonging to a community wishing to move forward together on professional, associative and local projects.

A residence that participates in the redevelopment of an entire district of Bagneux

The building of 78 new studios in Bagneux will be designed in order to ensure the essential balance of coliving, between quality private and connected spaces, cozy shared spaces (kitchen, lounges ), and inspiring, functional, and user-friendly common spaces (coworking space, gym, rooftop, event spaces, projection room, terraces). The residence will house several shops and restaurants on the ground floor.

Connected by the RER B, more recently by the extensions of line 4 and line 15 to come, and close to employment hubs, shops and restaurants, the residence is part of the architectural and real estate redevelopment of the neighborhood.

The new coliving is certified RE2020 / NF Habitat HQE; labels that guarantee buildings that meet all of the housing quality criteria: comfort, quality of life, respect for the environment, and economic and environmental performance.

Anxious to limit the carbon footprint of its construction, Nexity wanted to keep the facade of the old building in the project.

Urban Campus is involved with Nexity from start to finish in the residence’s VEFA program and participates in the design of the space, at all stages of construction, until the opening in 2025.

Acting on behalf of one of its investment funds, Primonial REIM has signed the acquisition of two build-to-rent buildings, located in Massy and Marseille, with Nexity. This transaction is part of the partnership between the developer and Urban Campus, whose architects will design the spaces to optimize them for BTR use.

“After a first successful operation in Saint-Louis, we are proud to extend this partnership with Urban Campus and to have the confidence of Primonial REIM as an investor in this operation,” says Fabrice Aubert, Nexity’s Deputy Managing Director in charge of institutional clients. He adds: “The real estate market is undergoing a major change in usage, which is why we have chosen to make the managed real estate offer a strategic development axis; build-to-rent is one of the major vectors for us.

The Massy Atlantis residence (NF Habitat HQE level excellent, Biodiversity) will be built in co-promotion with Novaxia and will develop 100 units from one to five rooms in a landscaped “quality” block with a shared rooftop. The Marseille development (NF Habitat HQE level, BDM bronze level) will include 75 units from one to five rooms, all with balconies and terraces, both private and shared. They will also feature furnished common areas: game rooms, fitness areas, coworking spaces, etc.

“These two residences will provide all tenants with a quality living environment, in line with new lifestyles and work methods (telecommuting, sharing economy, local roots),” says Maxime Armand, Urban Campus’ COO.

In this transaction, Nexity was advised by 137 Notaires (Mathieu Simon) and Primonial REIM by Lexfair Notaires (Annamaria Brogna) and Ikory Project Services. The marketing was carried out by JLL (Florence Semelin) and Savills (Mathieu Guillebault).

To view the original article in French written by Business IMMO click here. 

The signing of a new coliving residence in Île-de-France took place between Urban Campus and in’li. They joined forces to acquire and manage 165 new studio apartments, offering young professionals long-term real estate alternatives in a tight rental market.

Paris, November 8, 2022, Urban Campus, a French player in coliving and Build To Rent (BTR), announces, in partnership with in’li, Linkcity, and Nexity, the signature of a new coliving residence under VEFA, i.e. 165 studios, in Ivry-sur-Seine (94). This project completes a portfolio of Urban Campus projects under development in France, notably in the Ile-de-France, Hauts-de-France and Alsace regions, with the first delivery in Lille at the end of 2022.

Enabling young workers to access housing more easily 

While young professionals are the most affected by the shortage of rental units and rising rents, Urban Campus and in’li want to make it easier for this segment of the population to rent by offering 165 new studios in coliving with rents that are lower than those on the open rental market.

By offering housing at attractive rental prices, ideally located in relation to employment opportunities and public transportation, Urban Campus and in’li are helping to facilitate the residential and professional mobility of a whole segment of society that is just starting out in its working life. Newcomers, young people at the beginning of their careers, and working people on a mission for a few months are thus offered a new rental offer in line with their expectations and needs in very tense real estate markets.

In order to guarantee these innovative real estate solutions, the residence will be managed by Urban Campus as part of a long-term management mandate and the management strategy of in’li, a subsidiary of the Action Logement group. 

Urban Campus’ recognized experience in managing coliving residences ensures that the community of residents is supported in a way that encourages exchanges, sharing, and synergies. A whole program of activities and events promotes a sense of belonging to a community eager to move forward together on professional, associative, and local projects.

“We are very happy about this partnership with the in’li teams, with whom we share strong values: facilitating access to housing for young professionals, contributing to the creation of lively and attractive neighborhoods, and promoting professional mobility. – says Maxime Armand, co-founder of Urban Campus

“Finding innovative solutions for housing young professionals in the Paris region is in’li’s DNA. The partnership with Urban Campus and the implementation of coliving management fully meet this objective in areas of high tension. – said Damien Robert, Chairman of the Board of Directors of in’li.

A coliving residence anchored in the city 

In Ivry-sur-Seine, at the gateway to Paris, the residence of 165 individual and shared studios is designed to ensure the balance essential to coliving, between quality and connected individual spaces, cozy shared spaces (kitchen, lounges) and inspiring, functional and friendly common spaces (telecommuting space, gym, rooftop, event spaces, screening room, terraces). The residence will be completed by a coworking space reserved for local SMEs at the foot of the building.

As part of one of the largest urban, economic and social development projects in the Paris region, “ZAC Ivry Confluences”, the residence will benefit from the development of public transport (T Zen line), the creation of large open-air green spaces and the construction of new urban heating, water and electricity networks that are more energy efficient and environmentally friendly.

The Ivry-sur-Seine residence is certified NH Habitat HQE, a label that guarantees buildings with a reduced carbon footprint and lower energy consumption. 

Urban Campus is involved from start to finish in the VEFA program to build the coliving residence.

The company participated in the design of the buildings in partnership with Nexity and Linkcity. It is continuing to support the project through all stages of construction, right up to its opening in 2025.

Urban Campus is thus continuing to expand its influence in the coliving and French rental market sectors. Other residential projects are already under negotiation in several European cities.

About Urban Campus

Founded in Paris in 2016 by John van Oost, Maxime Armand and Ana Martinez, Urban Campus is one of the leaders in multi-format managed residential in Europe. The company accompanies coliving and Build-to-Rent real estate projects from their conception, and then operates them through long-term management mandates. Urban Campus develops its own smart building technologies and applications to offer tenants a 360° residential service.

The company operates 5 residences in France and Spain and plans to open 30 additional residences in Europe over the next 5 years, in France, Spain, Portugal and Italy. 

For more information: https://urbancampus.com/

About in’li

In’li, a subsidiary of the Action Logement Group, is the leader in intermediate housing in the Paris region, with nearly 50,000 units under management throughout the region. In’li’s mission is to provide access to housing for middle-class employees and young professionals in order to promote the employment-housing link, facilitate professional mobility and help revitalize the region. 

More information on: inli.com 

Twitter: inli_official https://twitter.com/inli_officiel 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/in-li/ 

About Action Logement

For more than 60 years, Action Logement has been the leading player in social and intermediary housing in France, with more than one million units, and its mission is to facilitate access to housing to promote employment. Action Logement manages the Participation des Employeurs à l’Effort de Construction (PEEC) on a joint basis to promote employee housing, business performance and regional attractiveness. The group has 18,000 employees in France and in the French overseas territories.Website: groupe.actionlogement.fr/

Twitter : @ActionLogement https://twitter.com/ActionLogement

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/uesl—action-logement/

Urban Campus, a coliving specialist in Spain, will open its very first residence in Lille: Urban Campus Saint So. By investing in the capital of Flanders, the company is actualizing its deployment in France and confirming the French craze for coliving. This new lifestyle is based on sharing and has multiple advantages: community, extra services offered to its members, and flexibility.

Investing in the French market

Recognized in Spain since 2017, Urban Campus continues its European development with its arrival in France. Surely it is no coincidence that the company has chosen the Lille metropolis. Urban Campus wants to offer a quality rental service in a real estate market in Lille that is very tight and even in near shortage in certain sectors. This is why the company decided to set up its first coliving residence on rue de Douai, in the heart of downtown Lille. In this dynamic neighborhood near public transportation and the Saint-Sauveur train station, the residence will welcome young professionals looking for a balance between neighborhood life and European mobility.

This upcoming opening confirms Urban Campus’ interest in the Lille region, as it is their second project in this area. The first being the management of the La Maillerie residence, located 15 minutes from the center of Lille, which will offer 121 coliving apartments starting in 2024.

“I am extremely proud of our arrival on the French market in a dynamic region. This is the result of a beautiful collaboration with LCPC (investor), Theop (AMO) and the architectural firm LA.M Studio. Together we will create a residence with a very high quality design and services to best meet the expectations of residents in a tight market. Our team has capitalized on more than 4 years of experience in coliving management in Spain. The Saint So residence will allow us to introduce the Urban Campus coliving experience to French tenants,” said Maxime Armand, co-founder, and COO at Urban Campus.

An offer adapted to new lifestyles

In a 4-story building that has been completely renovated, Urban Campus will offer from January 2023, 38 studio and one-bedroom apartments with mezzanines and balconies. The apartments will be fully furnished and equipped by LA.M Studio. Essential to coliving, several spaces have been designed to encourage sharing and living together: kitchen, living rooms, balconies, coworking spaces, gym, library, and event spaces. In addition, there is an all-inclusive service offer, from internet connection to cleaning services and access to Netflix in the common areas. The objective is clear: to do everything possible to make the residents feel at home in the building.

Urban Campus distinguishes itself by supporting its community. Each residence benefits from the “Community Development” program. Through various activities and initiatives, the community developer encourages the realization of personal, associative, and professional projects (such as collections for associations, talking circles, themed workshops, tasting evenings or film, and documentary screenings). These are some of the best ways to create links and synergies between the residents and they can confirm it works.

In the wake of this second project in Lille, Urban Campus plans to accelerate its expansion in France. The company is already working on other coliving projects in the Paris region and in the provinces.

About Urban Campus

Founded in Paris in 2016 by John van Oost and Maxime Armand, Urban Campus is one of the leaders in coliving in Europe. The company partners with coliving real estate projects from their conception, and then operates them through long-term management mandates. Urban Campus develops its own smart building technologies and applications to offer tenants a 360° residential service. The company operates 5 residences in Spain and plans to open 30 additional residences in Europe over the next 5 years, in France, Spain, Portugal, and Italy.

Head of Operations, Ana Martínez de Lizarrondo Asurmendi dove deep into what it is that makes Urban Campus different in the coliving world.
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We believe we are the revolution of the residential sector. How are we achieving this? In this article, I will share how it is that we do in Urban Campus, our models, values, and what we have that sets us apart from other coliving operators.

How did we become the first coliving operator in Spain?

In a perfect world, the build-to-rent market takes care of every individual it serves. You would start with a student residence, then move on to a shared apartment perhaps while working your first few years after studying, later to multifamily once you are ready to settle down and then near the final stages of your life (sad, we know), into a senior home. This path is the ideal scenario in a BTR world, however, it is not always the case for everyone. If you do not want to share an apartment anymore, but you also are not ready to build a family, you previously would have had to buy a three-bedroom home (if you can afford it) and sit in it until you are ready to take that next step but completely alone. The concept of coliving filled that space for those individuals who were on a different path. You can have your own, affordable, quality home and still take advantage of unique shared spaces with others. We saw the gap and began acting on it in 2017. 

Why do we only operate full buildings?

At Urban Campus, we believe in the coliving residential model and utilize the densification we can generate from a full building. In one apartment the space can be very limited, while once you have a building you can play with horizontal and vertical densification and give it more life. We ensure that we create much more valuable common spaces and not just an extra living room for our tenants to use. 

How are we able to scale so easily?

There are many property management systems in the market but they fell short, none could perform all the functions that we were looking for. Once we realized this, we began to develop our own technology to fit our needs.

Our system supports our tenants, promotes our services, and creates a place for the community. Our platform internally known as ‘Dunbar’ has been optimized and is completely autonomous. From here we automate all aspects of coliving; contracts, monthly rental, subscription fees for extra services, an extension of contracts, terminations, customer support, and more (a position that would typically need to be filled by a full-time employee). We also receive significant learnings from our system which allows us to analyze and optimize the final product, meaning the changes that are made are data-driven. 

With Dunbar, we are also able to view how our common spaces are being used. This is done by the system registering how many times a common space has been entered. Meaning, that aside from collaborating with our tenants face-to-face and getting a direct insight into what they would like in their homes, we have precise data to ensure that we are maximizing our coliving’s full potential. 

Having Dunbar and all of its functions, allows us to open a new coliving building without having to hire a team as a normal property manager would. We are scaling without duplicating time, employees, and costs as the job is already being taken care of by our technology. 

How we are able to function with a small team?

The whole system between sales and marketing is very connected. We use a separate system for automatic sales flows, this then allows our small sales team to manage many units. 

We also have visibility on vacancies to be able to anticipate and optimize our time, efforts, and budget. When we know that there are two terminations in our Mellado Madrid Coliving, for example, we boost our ads where it is needed.   

How do we handle the community aspect of our colivings?

We build a community in a non-intrusive way. What does this mean? We want them to be the owners of their own community. Our goal is to have our members feel at home and the best way to achieve this is to allow them to create those experiences, with our guidance and help. We have proven that when our tenants get involved, they are happier and in turn extend their stay. This is why we have ensured that the clubs and many events are created by our members. We give them more visibility and engagement via our platform and social media, but that initial spark is something that comes directly from them. 

Before entering one of our coliving buildings a new member is able to fill out their profile, input their bio, select their interests, and pre-join any clubs. They are also able to view the same details of those who currently live in their building, and vice versa to begin the process of creating those friendships and build on that excitement. 

Signing up for a community event is also extremely comfortable which makes it even more enticing to attend. Some events may come at a cost to our members, but instead of having an employee of Urban Campus handling the logistics of payments, our colivers simply need to go into their profile in Dunbar and RSVP. That fee will then be included in the next month’s rent. 

Contracting our additional services is as easy as turning a button on and off within our platform, and is also aligned with the following month’s rent. At Urban Campus, we can confidently say that we are listening to our members, analyzing our data, and perfecting the final product. 

Ana Martínez (Urban Campus): “We plan to open 30 residential spaces in the next 5 years, 10 of them in Spain”.

Together with Ana Martinez, chief operating officer of Urban Campus, Brainsre.news analyzes the state of the ‘coliving’ market in Spain.

Ana Martinez is Chief Operating Officer at Urban Campus, a Paris-based company focused on the acquisition and management of residential and office buildings (coliving and coworking) whose portfolio of real estate assets includes five buildings in Spain and two in France.

Urban Campus is the first operator of complete coliving buildings in Spain. As precursors of this model, how do you think this format is received by a society like the Spanish one? 

The residential market (both in Spain and in other countries) required a solution that adapted to the current needs of the population. This led us to launch our coliving model in the market. In other European countries as well as in the United States, coliving is more than established, and at first in Spain, it was understood as a solution aimed at students and short-term rentals. However, throughout the years that we have been working in this market, we are already managing to reverse this perception. This residential model has been very well received and the truth is that the waiting list to move into our spaces is expanding. At first, the most common profile was the foreign professional, but today there are more and more local residents who, for different reasons, are opting for coliving.

Who would you say is your target audience?

The typical tenant of Urban Campus coliving buildings is the young professional between 25 and 45 years old (the average age of our residents is 33 years old). They are mainly international (although the percentage of nationals has increased since the pandemic), with 40% of our tenants being nationals and 60% foreigners.

Approximately 95% of our tenants say they would recommend this residential option. In turn, 86% of our residents have told us that they feel happier and less lonely than before having lived in the coliving.

6 buildings in total, three in operation and three in progress. Will you continue to invest in new assets in 2023? 

Without a doubt. Our goal is to have more than 30 buildings in the next few years. In Spain, we have our sights set on Madrid, Valencia, Barcelona, and Malaga, as well as other smaller cities. Internationally, we want to expand into France and Portugal. In the coming years, we will have openings for both coliving and multifamily or build-to-rent projects.

With the new building in Valencia, Urban Campus opens up the build-to-rent market in Spain. Do you think you will follow this line?

The Valencia coliving is a new building that will be destined for coliving, which is part of the build-to-rent market, in its most alternative sector. However, our first entry into the traditional build-to-rent or multifamily segment was a building in the French city of Saint Louis. Together with Nexity and Swiss Life Asset Managers, we opened a new line of business for the management of build-to-rent buildings. So, yes, we are also committed to this rental model in which we will continue to make progress, both in Spain and abroad.

So far, five in Madrid and one in Valencia… What is Urban Campus looking for in the areas where it is developing its business model? What other Spanish cities would be on your radar?

Urban Campus seeks to offer a medium-term residential solution for those who want to live in rented accommodation in central (or emerging) areas of large cities that are well connected. In addition to a good location, they are looking to belong to a community of people with similar interests with whom they can participate in events and activities. Many of them want independence and to live in their private space, but they perceive the option of sharing common areas as a huge added value, this then allows them to create links and meet people from other environments or cultures, let’s not forget that the human being is a social being and as such seeks the generation of social relationships.

Your company demystifies that coliving is only an option for the short term… What is the average rent you manage in your colivings?

Our average stay is 12 months, and more than 47% extend it. We have tenants who have been residing in our spaces for more than 3 years, since our opening, so we expect the average stay to continue to grow.

In Urban Campus we offer rental agreements from 700 € to 1700 € approximately, depending on the area in which the building is located and the type of private space, for example, in the Malasaña coliving in Madrid the average price is 1.300 €/month, and in Chamberí it is around 850 €/month. In addition, we offer an all-inclusive service, which includes expenses and events, but also various additional services such as cleaning, English classes or sports activities.

In addition to coliving, one of the Urban Campus properties is for coworking. Will the firm continue to promote this line of business in Spain or would you prefer to continue developing the coliving area?

The core of our business is coliving, meaning at the moment we will be putting more weight on developing this type of project. However, the interesting thing is that both products have very similar targets, so we study each project individually and decide the use that best suits each asset.

What are Urban Campus’ objectives for the coming years?

We plan to open 30 residential spaces in the next 5 years, 10 of them in Spain (Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Malaga, Alicante, Seville, Murcia, Palma de Mallorca, Bilbao, etc.) and 20 in the main European cities. These openings will be carried out through the refurbishment of buildings, as well as through the development of new construction projects, depending on the availability of land in each city and the location we choose for each of them.

Do you have plans for international expansion, and what dates and countries are planned?

We have already planned different coliving spaces in other countries such as France for the end of this year. At the moment we can not advance more information, but rest assured that we will continue to open many more buildings under the Urban Campus brand.

Nexity and Urban Campus announce the signature of their first Build-to-Rent (BTR) transaction on the French market in Saint-Louis (68), on behalf of a fund managed by Swiss Life Asset Managers France. This new Promotion-Management-Investment model opens up new avenues for the residential market in the regions and in Paris.

Nexity and Urban Campus have chosen Saint-Louis (68) – an economically dynamic area with a rental market in transition with strong environmental ambitions – to set up their first Build-to-Rent (BTR) operation in an area that is particularly well served by public transport. Not very known within the French market, this residential model proposes a “multi-family” rental offer specifically developed to meet the needs of tenants in a given area. Handled by a single operator, the management and animation of the building enrich the daily life of the residents within a budget.

Swiss Life AM, which acquired the property on behalf of one of its funds under management, emphasized various aspects: the user-centered approach and the societal approach as the BTR responds to changes in society and to evolving lifestyles. As well as the environmental approach: The E+C- certified building is part of Swiss Life Asset Managers France’s responsible investment strategy. Finally, the Nexity – Urban Campus partnership allows for an integrated “Development-Management” approach.

“We are very proud of this first operation with Urban Campus and Swiss Life Asset Managers France in the BTR segment, a virtuous concept that promises an improved rental experience for investors and tenants. It’s also a new way of putting our know-how and our environmental commitment at the service of life together,” explains Fabrice Aubert, Nexity’s Deputy Managing Director in charge of Institutional Clients. “Thanks to the complementary nature of our activities and our knowledge of the regions, we are today the only player able to offer an integrated solution for carrying out and managing the operation,” adds Stéphane Dalliet, Managing Director of Nexity Immobilier Résidentiel.

“In the continuity of coliving, the BTR offers a fascinating rental experience for a large number of people, especially for families. With well-designed private spaces, high value-added services, common areas, and above all the many advantages of what it means to live together. This first project with Nexity and Swiss Life Asset Managers France demonstrates Urban Campus’ ambition to transform the residential market,” said Maxime Armand, COO, and Co-founder of Urban Campus.

The 106-unit residence, ranging from one- to five-bedroom units, will offer shared spaces such as a gym, a multifunctional living area, a terrace, a laundry room, and many additional services. By 2025, it will represent a real quality rental alternative in the area.

Nexity, Life Together

With more than 8,000 employees and sales of 4.6 billion euros in 2021, Nexity, France’s leading integrated real estate group, is present throughout the country and operates in all areas of development and services. Their service platform enables them to meet all the needs of their customers, individuals, companies, institutions and local authorities. Their purpose, “living together”, reflects Nexitys’ commitment to creating sustainable spaces, neighborhoods, and cities for individuals, enabling them to forge and rebuild ties.

Nexity has been ranked, for the third year in a row, as the number one project manager by the Low Carbon Building Association (BBCA), a member of the Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index (GEI), and Best Workplaces 2021.

Nexity is listed on the SRD, Compartment A of Euronext and the SBF 120.

Urban Campus

Founded in Paris in 2016 by John van Oost and Maxime Armand, Urban Campus is one of the leaders of Coliving in Europe. The company pairs Coliving and BTR real estate projects from their conception, and then operates them through long-term management mandates. Urban Campus develops its own smart building technologies and applications to offer tenants a 360° residential service.

The company operates 5 residences in Spain and plans to open 30 additional residences in Europe over the next 5 years, in France, Spain, Portugal, and Italy.