Co-living: Next big thing in Thailand’s real estate?

While co-working has witnessed a rapid growth and become a new major source of demand for office space in Bangkok, co-living is another sector of shared facilities that may become a big thing in the city's real estate in the future, according to property consulting firm, JLL.

April 26, 2018

Co-living space, a term used to describe a living arrangement that is something more than shared space, is growing in many cities across the globe where housing has become increasingly less affordable. Typically, a co-living space offers tenants small rooms and shared facilities such as a TV room or a gym. There is also a social aspect; some facilities have a manager who organises events. As well as convenience and community, co-living facilities also claim to offer cheaper rent than an individual apartment.

In Asia, though co-living has not yet seen a boom, it is gaining traction. China is a trailblazer in this space. The concept of co-living in the land of the dragons started with YOU+ International Youth Community among other operators that emerged in 2012. By the end of 2016, there were nearly 90 operators across the country. The trend is also catching on in other markets. Unsurprisingly given its status as the world's most expensive housing market, Hong Kong is seeing a growing number of co-living developments such as M-Living in Wong Chuk Hang and Campus Hong Kong in Tsuen Wan. Singapore has been slightly lagging, but Ascott, CapitaLand's wholly owned serviced residence arm, created a new co-living brand 'lyf'. lyf Funan Singapore will be part of CapitaLand's mixed-use development Funan.  In Japan and Indonesia, Roam offers co-living facilities in Tokyo and Bali.

In Thailand, there are a number of small co-living facilities in Bangkok and key resort cities such as Chiang Mai, Phuket and Krabi. However, most of these facilities are targeted at foreign digital nomads and compliment co-working spaces.  

"For most Thais, shared living space may not be a preferred option as there are other housing options that remain affordable and offer higher privacy. This explains why co-living has not yet become a big thing in Thailand's real estate. However this will change in the near future," says Suphin Mechuchep, Managing Director at JLL.

"As city condos and apartments are getting smaller and less affordable, it will become more difficult for young workers to buy or rent a private living space. In addition, these young workers are millennials who grew up in the sharing economy, value being part of a like-minded community and thus tend to be more willing to share facilities. The growing popularity of co-working exemplifies this trend well," says Mrs. Suphin.

"This will open up new opportunities for real estate developers and investors in Thailand, particularly Bangkok," she adds.


About JLL

JLL (NYSE: JLL) is a leading professional services firm that specializes in real estate and investment management. Our vision is to reimagine the world of real estate, creating rewarding opportunities and amazing spaces where people can achieve their ambitions. In doing so, we will build a better tomorrow for our clients, our people and our communities. JLL is a Fortune 500 company with annual revenue of $16.3 billion, operations in over 80 countries and a global workforce of over 91,000 as of March 31, 2019. JLL is the brand name, and a registered trademark, of Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated. For further information, visit jll.com.

About JLL Thailand

The firm’s operation in Thailand began in 1990 and today is the country’s largest international property service provider with 1,600 employees and more than five million square metres of property and corporate facilities managed. In Euromoney Real Estate Survey 2018, JLL was voted as Thailand’s number one overall real estate advisor for the 8th consecutive year and also won top votes for agency/letting, research and valuation in the same survey. The firm was also named Thailand’s five-star winner in the commercial property consultancy and commercial real estate agency categories at the International Property Awards Asia Pacific 2019/2020. For more information, visit jll.co.th.

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