Everything Coliving: Technology, Community, Operations, Podcast Ep10-11, Free Coliving & Mental Health Ebook, Office to Coliving Conversions, Top Senior Colivings Spaces, and Other Coliving News.
You are receiving Everything Coliving, the summary of coliving news, insights, and announcements curated by the Artof.co team. Today, it’s Mayank Pokharna behind the edition! If you don’t find value, simply unsubscribe at the end of this email. And if a colleague sent Everything Coliving to you, make sure to subscribe here (or below). Have a good read!
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Coliving Innovators Podcast
Episode 11: Scaling Coliving: Lessons on Community, Real Estate, & Technology from Alihoop’s CEO Samuel
In our latest episode, we sat down with Samuel Gielis , CEO and co-founder of Allihoopwho took his passion for community and scaled it into a flourishing coliving business in Stockholm, Sweden.
Starting with a small property and now operating hundreds of units, Samuel shares the invaluable lessons he learned while growing Alihoop, including:
- How can you start small with no external funding?
- The impact of community on resident satisfaction
- How Alihoop leverages technology to scale while enhancing resident experience?
- Insights on funding, property acquisition, and growth strategies in the coliving industry
- Advice for new coliving entrepreneurs on choosing a business model and building community
If you’re passionate about community-driven spaces or exploring the booming coliving sector, this conversation is packed with insights and strategies to kickstart or scale your coliving venture. 🏡✨
Episode 10: Transforming a Post-Communist Mindset: Katya’s Coliving Mission in Bulgaria
In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Katya Dimitrova, Burgas Coliving. Katya’s story is inspiring—from using her urban planning expertise to build a coliving space that brings together people from diverse cultures in a post-communist society.
Key takeaways for me from the episode:
- Location matters: Accessible locations with destination marketing are key—butrural coliving spaces also hold potential for meaningful experiences.
- Community over transactions: Building a real community requires heart and involvement in daily operations.
- Involving the local economy: Partnering with local businesses creates sustainable ecosystems and builds trust with neighbors.
- Plan for challenges: Renovating old buildings is never straightforward—buffer your time and budget to handle the unexpected.
Katya’s parting advice? “Build with your heart and have fun doing it—because a community can’t thrive without genuine passion.”
Can Coliving Improve Mental Health? Free Ebook
Download the free guide on Mental Health and Coliving.
Read to understand the take of Kim Rubenstein, MA, PSY.D, founder of Roomate Connect AI - A software platform to help you match your shared living tenants. Discover how coliving can positively impact mental health by:
- Fostering community
- Reducing financial stress
- Promoting healthy lifestyles
- Offering emotional support
Explore the benefits and challenges of shared living and learn how intentional communities help combat social isolation, enhance well-being, and support personal growth.
Why should you read this ebook?
This guide offers valuable insights to help you understand the profound impact of shared living on well-being.
- Understand the Connection Between Living Environment and Mental Health
- Explore the Mental Health Benefits of Coliving
- Identify Potential Challenges and Solutions in Coliving
- See How Coliving Supports Personal and Professional Growth
- Practical Insights for Making Informed Decisions
“The best social experience is what makes the best colivings, not the fanciest design or the softest beds. In coliving, the people or the guests are the product, and that’s what shapes the experience. Unlike hotels where the service is the product, in co-living, community is everything.” – Samuel, CEO of Allihoop on Coliving Innovators Podcast
Coliving Could Unlock Office-to-Residential Conversions
New research finds efficient method to add low-cost, downtown housing.
- The U.S. has a housing shortage while office vacancy rates are high; converting vacant offices to co-living spaces could address both issues cost-effectively.
- Pew and Gensler’s research shows that co-living design reduces construction costs by up to 35%, making rent affordable for people earning well below median income.
- Co-living supports diverse residents, reduces homelessness, and enhances access to jobs and transit, with projected rents half the cost of standard studio apartments.
- Though some cities’ zoning codes pose barriers, the benefits—affordable housing, revitalized downtowns, and economic opportunity—make co-living conversions an impactful, scalable solution.
Read the full research here.
Top Senior Coliving Spaces Worldwide
With senior coliving gaining popularity, many innovative providers offer community-centric, active, and affordable living solutions. This article explores the top senior coliving companies, optimized to highlight key themes like senior living, later living, 55+ coliving, and active senior communities. Whether you seek a luxury experience or a budget-friendly social environment, this guide will help readers find the right fit.
Here, we talk about:
- Explore top senior coliving spaces: luxury to budget-friendly options for active adults 55+
- Why senior coliving is thriving: affordability, independence, and community focus
- Tips for choosing the right senior coliving community
Everything Else Coliving
- Coliving could be cost-effective reuse of some downtown office buildings, report finds. Small units, shared common spaces might mean lower rents, according to Pew Charitable Trusts
- Millennials and Gen Z are significantly influencing the hospitality industry’s shift towards co-living spaces.Their preferences for community-driven, flexible, and affordable living arrangements are prompting hospitality providers to adapt by offering innovative co-living solutions that cater to these demands. This trend reflects a broader movement towards shared living environments that prioritize social interaction and convenience.
- Planning approvals for coliving schemes:
- Plans have been submitted to transform a former NHS office building in West Bromwich into 128 co-living units.
- Cardiff Office Block to be Transformed into Wales’ First Co-Living Scheme.A property developer has secured funding to turn a former office block in Cardiff city centre into Wales’ first co-living scheme.
- Watkin Jones secures planning approval to convert and re-purpose Headrow House in Leeds into a new co-living scheme.
- Shawbrook funds £23.8m for Welsh co-living scheme
- Planning approved for Bradford Works co-living scheme. Cordia UK secures planning approval for its Bradford Works co-living scheme, a first-of-its-kind shared living scheme in Birmingham.
- Leeds city centre Headrow House co-living plans recommended for approval
- The Seattle City Council on Tuesday approved lifting restrictions on congregate residences in the city following a change in state law. In 2014, the Seattle City Council passed an ordinance placing restrictions on the type of residence. The ordinance specified apartment units couldn't be less than 220 square feet and included bathroom and food preparation requirements. It also limited where the type of units could be built.
- Coliving communities are revitalizing festival celebrations for seniors by simplifying preparations and fostering social connections. These communities assist with tasks like shopping, cooking, and decorating, reducing stress and enhancing enjoyment during festive seasons. By providing a supportive environment, co-living ensures that seniors can fully participate in and appreciate the joy of festivals.
- More Co-Living Buildings Would Help Alleviate Housing Crunch. The high cost of housing is on everyone’s mind. Both presidential candidates are promoting plans to reduce prices and in a May Gallup poll Americans ranked it the second most important financial problem after inflation.
- What are coliving spaces and why are they increasingly popular? Who knows if they are actually a solution for the rent crisis
We hope you enjoyed this edition and wish you a great weekend ahead. Reply us with your thoughts on what more you want to read and if you have any feedback.
If you want us to cover anything, please mail it to us on coliving@artof.co Gui Perdrix & Mayank Pokharna The Artof.Co team
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