Urban Campus

Urban Campus, founded in 2016, is a Paris-based operator of residential properties, positioning itself at the intersection of real estate, technology, and community. The company was established by co-founders John van Oost, Maxime Armand, and Stéphane Distinguin to address the evolving lifestyles in major European cities that the traditional real estate market was failing to meet. Van Oost, the CEO, brings three decades of experience in real estate and venture capital, having co-founded firms like Alstria Office REIT and Captiva Capital Management. COO Maxime Armand has a background in IT engineering and urban services, previously developing digital products at Fabernovel.

The firm's business model centers on designing, developing, and managing coliving, multifamily, and build-to-rent (BTR) residences on behalf of institutional investors. Urban Campus forges partnerships with real estate developers and investors to transform properties into managed residential spaces. Revenue is generated through long-term management mandates for these properties, where Urban Campus oversees all operational aspects. The company's strategy involves data-driven analysis to match the right residential product to a specific urban area, thereby optimizing financial returns for investors. This approach is supported by its proprietary technology platform, Dunbar, which manages resident-facing services, optimizes residential processes, and facilitates community management applications.

Urban Campus offers a range of furnished and unfurnished living solutions, from private studios to larger apartments, all designed with a focus on community and convenience. Residents receive an all-inclusive bill covering rent, utilities, Wi-Fi, and maintenance. A key feature is access to extensive common areas such as gyms, coworking spaces, lounges, and kitchens, intended to foster interaction and combat urban loneliness. The company has properties in key French and Spanish cities, including Madrid, Lille, and Valencia. Significant milestones include opening its first coliving residence in Madrid in 2018, a €7 million capital increase from investors Nexity and Batipart in 2020, and expanding into the French market in 2022. The company aims to operate over 30 additional residences across Europe.

Keywords: coliving, build-to-rent, BTR, multifamily residences, real estate management, institutional investors, property technology, proptech, community living, urban housing, residential operator, asset management, shared living, real estate development, flexible living, European real estate, managed residential, community management, tenant experience, all-inclusive rent