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

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, 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.

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.

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.