Singapore’s Co‑Living Craze: Even Expatbarians Are Stuck Here
When you think of Singapore, you might picture a polished skyline, hawker stalls, and countless expats living it up. But the newest buzz‑word in the city‑state’s real‑estate scene is co‑living—and it’s doing a runner’s high.
Why the Surge?
- Social distancing rules turned into a turbo‑charger for shared apartments.
- Construction hiccups and delayed projects meant developers had extra space to spare.
- Remote‑work arrangements turned “commuting” into “home‑office” for many.
The Assembly Place (TAP) Keeps Expanding
Assembly Place, the co‑living giant, just inked four new spots for a five‑year partnership. Here’s the low‑down:
- Former Footprints Hostel at 25A Perak Road
- Serviced apartments at 3 Tank Road
- Serviced apartments at 18 Penhas Road
- Serviced apartments at 272 East Coast Road
What This Means for TAP
With these additions, TAP boasts about 550 rooms distributed across 16 purpose‑built co‑living venues. The best part? A 98% occupancy rate—almost every room is ready for a fresh tenant.
The Takeaway
Co‑living might be the only thing moving faster than the city’s traffic lights right now. Even as some expats head out, the demand pulse stays high, and TAP is riding the wave like a seasoned surfer.
Going forward with an asset-light strategy
The Assembly Place: Turning Co‑Living Into a Super‑Cool Investment Adventure
Picture this: a tiny Singapore city‑state where the Building‑Haven folks have already turned S$250 million of real estate into a thriving co‑living dream. Their mission? 1,000 rooms by Q1 2022 – a tall order, but they’re on the right track.
Why Everyone Is Talking About The Assembly Place
What Next? Straight‑Lease or “Fun‑and‑Light”?
Beat‑The‑Clock Projects & Bask‑In‑The‑Flex
| Property | Deal Type | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 398 Race Course Road | Straight Lease | Co‑Living ready by Oct |
| The Amerald Studio, 1 Seraya Lane | Straight Lease | 100% occupancy in just four months! |
| Shophouses & Landed Homes | Straight Lease | New rooms in the mix |
Bottom Line
Partnering with like-minded consultants
New Architectural Collaborations: OWAA Architects Takes the Stage
Why the Lee Twins?
When it comes to design, the Lee brothers—Lee Wah Fong and Lee Wai Fong—are the real deal. With more than a decade and a half under their belts working with top-tier international firms, they’ve got the chops to make any space feel like home.
Recent Spotlight Projects
- DUO Tower – A sleek, sky‑high icon.
- Paya Lebar Quarter – A bustling hub of culture and commerce.
- The Verandah Residences – Where community vibes meet architectural flair.
What’s the Buzz About?
Assembly Place, together with its building owners, has just rolled out four fresh assets. And guess who’s on the blueprint team? OWAA Architects, the do‑it‑all studio run by the dynamic Lee duo.
Lim, the mastermind behind the project, says she’s thrilled: “The Lee Brothers get our vibe immediately. Their track record on these city landmarks? Undeniable.”
Past Partnerships Fuel Future Success
The partnership isn’t a coincidence. Lim and Lee Wai Fong teamed up during the design and development of The Verandah Residences—a sweet spot where community and design met.
With OWAA on board, the four new assets are set to soar—turning architecture into lived experience, one pixel at a time.
Preserving heritage through repurposing conserved shophouses
Reviving Historic Shophouses: Assembly Places Puts a Twist on Tradition
Even though turning old shophouses into modern spaces can be a bit of a puzzle, The Assembly Places is marching right through the caveats.
Why They’re In Love with Conservation Assets
“It’s all about the past that lives in these buildings.” says Lim. “Sure, there’re extra hoops to jump through when it comes to design and floor‑plan decisions, but the rich history and the chance to be part of the gentrification buzz make the whole process a thrilling adventure.”
What Every Visitor Will Feel
- Step past the threshold and you’re instantly transported to a chapter of local culture.
- The architecture itself tells a story, weaving heritage into the everyday.
- Every corner feels like a living museum—no selfie stick required.
Latest Offerings
The newest shophouse lineup spans 138‑142 Jalan Besar, and it’s set to open its doors by October.
Rental Details
- Monthly rate starts at $2,250.
- Lease minimum: a solid three months.
- Grab a spot, and you’ll be breathing in history while staying stylish.
Ready to step into a piece of the past? The Assembly Places is waiting—just bring your curiosity.
<img alt="" data-caption="Shophouses at 138 to 142 Jalan Besar, which will be operational in October.
PHOTO: The Assembly Place” data-entity-type=”file” data-entity-uuid=”229e03bc-3bc0-4423-80d6-a607c1273341″ src=”/sites/default/files/inline-images/20210827_JalanBesar_TheAssemblyPlace.jpg”/>
Workspace Woes? Now we’ve Got a Cozy Co‑Working Fix!
Think of a place where you can ditch your home office chaos, pull up a chair, and actually hear a coffee mug clink somewhere else (instead of just the endless tick‑tock of your own kitchen timer). That’s the promise of the upcoming shophouse co‑working spot, and it’s already building buzz in the work‑from‑home community.
What’s Happening?
- A brand‑new co‑working lounge in a classic shophouse that’s exclusive to current Tap members
- A second shophouse at 257 Outram Road set to open by Christmas—because who doesn’t need a holiday surprise that isn’t just a new Netflix series?
- TAP partnered with Studioshen’ founder Austen Chan (yes, the same man who’s turned skate parks, sustainable hotel pods, and youth spaces into community gold) to handle design and architecture.
Why Austen? Why This All?”
Austen’s track record speaks volumes—he’s already turned two TAP projects (144/146 Owen Road and 108 Sophia Road) into fully booked gems. Lim, the visionary behind these spaces, is sure that Austen’s knack for fostering “good vibes” in shared living environments will translate to a cramped‑but‑cozy work house that people won’t want to leave.
Bottom Line:
We’re not just chasing the “work‑from‑home vibe” but creating a place where you can actually meet people without needing to go outside (and still avoid the dilemma of who’s gonna kick the air‑conditioning unit to it).
Leveraging on tech with an app
What’s New? Assembly Place App Rolling Out in September
Why We’re Bringing It to Your Phone
At Assembly Place, we finally decided to ditch the old-fashioned paperwork grind and embrace the digital age. The new app—launching in the last week of September—promises to make life a whole lot easier for everyone.
What the App Does
- Instant Paperwork. Say goodbye to handwritten tenancy agreements and those tedious e‑stamp documents. They’re all digital, all streamlined.
- Instant Alerts. Want to know what’s happening next? Get real‑time updates on community events, and vibey weekly promos from TAP’s food & beverage and wellness partners.
- Data Made Simple. All your info gets neatly collated so we can see who’s who (without turning the office into a guessing game).
Why We’re Careful About Making an App for the Sake of Itself
“We’re mindful of not creating an app just for the sake of making an app,” Lim points out. “Our goal is to streamline our own workflow first, so that every step is smoother and more data‑driven.” He adds that gathering demographic insights will feed the design of future assets, ensuring they hit the mark for our members.
Lim underscores that this is only the first wave; the tech front is a nonstop cycle of tweaks and upgrades aimed at giving real value to both members and partners.
Stay Tuned!
So round up your mugs or your wellness kit, because Assembly Place is getting ready to put the “fun” back into “functional.” The app arrives in September—your new digital desk is almost ready to roll out the red carpet.
Special promotions with F&B and wellness partners
Tap into Amazing Perks at The Assembly Place
Whether you’re squeezing in a workout, painting a masterpiece, or just craving a café latte, the Assembly Place has you covered. The co‑living hub is rubbing shoulders with a who’s‑who of brands that keep life exciting:
- True Fitness – Because nobody likes a boulder‑lingering gym
- Distinct Creative Arts – Unleash your inner Picasso (or whatever your medium is)
- One Dance Asia – Shake off the rigidity of your feet like a disco master
- TBTG Aesthetics – For the folks who appreciate beauty in high‑tech form
- Jekyll & Hyde – Fast, delicious bites that hide where you expect
- The Tiramisu Hero – Because who can resist a sweet hero’s promise?
Where the Savings Lurk
Living at 96 Owen Road is a golden ticket for special discounts. Here’s where your wallet will thank you:
- Mosanco Enchanted Cafe – Magical vibes, enchanting coffee
- The Parlour – Quirky décor meets cosy treats
- The Bakehaus – Biscuits so good they’ll make you forget the dough
Future‑Proofed Partnerships
Currie Lim says the team is on a relentless mission to add value. “Our goal? 50 partners—ranging from F&B to services—by year’s end,” he declares. The secret sauce? A shared vision that keeps residents happy, healthy, and heavily discounted.
