The Collective

The Collective is a pioneering co-living company that offers a new way of urban living for renters, particularly those in their 20s and 30s, in London. It operates large-scale co-living buildings that provide private en-suite or studio apartments along with access to shared amenities like gyms, cinemas, spas, co-working spaces, and community events. The company's primary focus is on offering convenience, community, and an enhanced living experience through fully-furnished units, utilities included, housekeeping services, and a vibrant events program.

The Collective's flagship properties include the 550-room The Collective Old Oak in West London and the 705-room world's largest co-living building in Canary Wharf. The company's business model is centered around providing value for money by allowing tenants to trade private space for more communal areas, resulting in lower rents compared to traditional apartments. This approach aims to address the growing demand for affordable housing among young professionals in major cities.

In response to the pandemic, The Collective adapted its events program to a hybrid format, offering both in-person and virtual options. It also partnered with experts to introduce wellness initiatives and practices to support members' mental and physical health during lockdowns. While The Collective faced challenges during the pandemic, leading to its collapse in late 2021, its two live sites in London remained operational after reaching an agreement with stakeholders, indicating confidence in the co-living model's fundamentals.

The Collective's acquisition by Red Door Ventures fell through in mid-2018, but lenders Deutsche Bank and Catalina RE provided substantial debt for the Old Oak development, valuing it higher than the initial asking price, implying a yield of around 4.00%. This demonstrated the investment community's confidence in the collective living concept.