The coliving concept has been growing rapidly in popularity over the past few years.
In a world that is becoming increasingly lonely for many – particularly amongst younger generations – the coliving concept creates a sense of belonging that so many are seeking.
Operating as a place for people to live, work and play, members can become part of a connected and engaged community while enjoying the convenience of flexible living (without the frustrations of a typical flatshare).
But who is leading the way in the UK? Below, we have listed 7 of the UK’s best coliving spaces .
THE COLLECTIVE
The Collective became the UK’s first large-scale coliving space when it opened it’s Old Oak site back in 2016.
They are a global coliving company who are on a mission to “build and activate spaces that foster human connection and enable people to lead more fulfilling lives”. They currently operate two sites in London and one in New York.
Their buildings combine thoughtfully designed private living spaces, state of the art facilities and daily programming to create beautiful community-led homes for their members. Offering both short-stay and long-stay coliving, people can stay for a few nights or move in for over a year.
Their second London site – which opened in Canary Wharf in October 2019 – is now the largest coliving building in the world, standing at 21 storeys high with 705 rooms. Members can live a truly luxurious lifestyle as the building boasts panoramic skyline views of London, a 20th floor fine dining restaurant Mthr, a surround-sound cinema, a swimming pool, gym and sauna.
It’s not just luxury that The Collective provides, though. An emphasis is placed on creating welcoming communities where members feel a true sense of belonging and connection, making it easier for people to socialise and make new friends.
And they also give back to the local community through a non-profit arm of the business called The Collective Foundation. The foundation works to build better communities by offering accelerator programmes which are designed to support entrepreneurs and innovators build their businesses.
Their Collective Grants programme also provides funding and support for local charities, community groups and individuals who want to make impactful change in their local area.
The Collective recently announced their plans to launch 100,000 units by 2025. They are seeking to build a ‘global network of coliving communities that’s built on continuous learning, innovation and improvement’ across the UK, US and Germany, among other locations.
MASON + FIFTH
Mason & Fifth are a new ‘conscious, communal-housing model which is pioneering ‘well-living’ for a generation seeking a new solution for home’.
Located in London’s Bermondsey neighbourhood, Mason & Fifth’s first coliving space – which opened in November 2019 – is 8000 sqft, with 28 luxury studio apartments and a large shared living space designed for members to chill out, work, eat and socialise.
Mason + Fifth’s ethos is all about ‘ensuring wellness of mind, body and spirit’ and building a community centred around it. With an onsite wellness pavilion, the brand runs an expert-led programme that aims to ‘strengthen communities and boost well-being from the inside out’. Members have access to an in-house chef, fortnightly meditation classes as well as 1:1 direct mindset coaching.
Ben Prevezer, Mason and Fifth’s Co-Founder, has shared their vision to ‘roll out a network of buildings in major cities around the world’ and to further develop their lifestyle offering into other verticals.
Mason and Fifth have secured a second site in Marylebone with real estate investment firm, FORE Partnership, so watch this space.
GRAVITY CO-LIVING
Gravity Co-living aims to ‘create a global community of young professionals by offering beautifully designed living spaces, with a strong focus on delivering the best possible lifestyle experience for members’.
The coliving group – which currently has buildings in Finsbury Park and Camden Lock – places a real emphasis on creating spaces that allow meaningful social interactions among career-minded young professionals.
Communal coworking, lounge areas and outdoor spaces are available at each site for members to live, work and socialise. Members can also connect with each other via the Gravity app and have access to a ‘move-in buddy’ to show them the ropes and help them settle in.
Through curated weekly events, they are creating an empowering community for their members centered around personal wellbeing, meaningful engagement, professional growth and unconventional design. They help support their member’s lives through activities including yoga classes, meditation, business mentoring, industry-specific talks and community dinners.
Gravity Co-living – which has been dubbed one of Europe’s leading coliving property companies – is set to open a new site in Camden Town this month. The company is currently working with strategic real estate partners in Paris, Barcelona and London on creating a global network of coliving spaces in major business hubs.
CODE COLIVING
Now for a new kid on the block! Following an increasing demand for affordable, flexible living in Edinburgh, CoDE recently transformed their luxury hostel – The LoFT – into the city’s first ever coliving space.
The LoFT is tucked away on Rose Street, a prime city-centre location in the heart of Edinburgh’s New Town. Those who want to spend a few weeks (or months) in the heart of the Scottish capital will find themselves surrounded by a community of like-minded members. Members are also welcome to take a stroll down to the Royal Mile and visit CoDE’s luxury hostel – The CoURT – where they can join in with weekly events, including beer tasting and outdoor activities.
In terms of accommodation, members can opt for a shared or private room which features the brand’s signature pod beds. CoDE were the first to introduce the pod bed concept to the UK market from Asia – they are popular with guests as the pods are designed to make people feel like they are staying in their own private room. There is also a penthouse studio on the top floor which boasts a private roof terrace and city views. Members then have access to a shared kitchen, dining area and coworking space.
CoDE Pod Management currently operates two sites – CoDE Coliving and The CoURT in Edinburgh. They are now focusing on taking their hybrid concept to a range of locations across both Europe and the US.
OPPIDAN
Oppidan has been dubbed ‘the ultimate in urban living’ in Manchester.
Brought to the city by entrepreneur Colin Shenton – who also brought pay-per-minute co-working and social space, Ziferblat (now known as Clockwork) to the UK – Oppidan launched in Manchester in the summer of 2019. Uniquely, all Oppidan members receive free and unlimited use of all UK ClockWork locations.
Currently, Oppidan has one coliving space which is located in the heart of the city’s Northern Quarter. The site has a dedicated house manager who is responsible for building the Oppidan community by creating a calendar of weekly events for people to partake and connect with fellow members.
Plans have been announced for the next Oppidan sites to open in Sheffield, Leeds and Liverpool.
B-HIVE LIVING
B-Hive Living is on a mission to ‘re-define shared living for a new generation’.
The brand – which currently has a site in Oxfordshire – is a social business seeking to promote positive prosperity & healthy lifestyles by building vibrant coliving spaces.
Offering a unique rental experience with a focus on connection and wellness, their spacious shared areas and programme of community activities aim to help members foster true connections and revitalise their work-life balance.
Further expansion plans are yet to be announced.
VONDER
Vonder is a global coliving lifestyle brand offering beautifully designed urban spaces to a growing community of like-minded individuals.
Founded in 2016, Vonder offers coliving rental apartments for periods of three months or more in London. The company currently operates six sites across the capital, aimed at digital nomads and young professionals.
Described as the ‘ideal one-stop-shop living solution’, apartments are fully furnished and all inclusive. Although Vonder is not a traditional coliving brand – their living spaces are independent and do not offer shared facilities such as kitchens or bathrooms – their emphasis is on the ability to connect people from around the world through unique, social experiences.
The coliving brand wants to create a community-led way of life for their members – they do this by offering high-quality communal facilities such as fitness studios, co-working cafes, yoga rooms as well as running events such as networking talks and art exhibitions.
Other locations Vonder operate in include Berlin and Warsaw, with aims to open in European cities such as Barcelona, Budapest and Paris in the near future.
Enjoyed reading about 7 of the UK’s best coliving spaces? Check out our post on how to market a coliving space here.
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