Co-Living Is No Longer a Niche—It’s the Next Big Opportunity

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In a housing market that keeps getting more expensive, co-living has emerged as a solution renters are actually excited about. These communities trade some square footage for affordability, shared amenities, and a built-in social network. That balance is resonating, particularly in urban markets where prices have pushed many renters out of traditional apartments.

The concept is simple. Co-living formalizes the roommate arrangement by designing buildings around private bedrooms and bathrooms paired with larger communal kitchens, lounges, and shared spaces. It prioritizes experience and community over square footage. The model is now hitting a point of scale that makes it one of the most compelling plays in multifamily.

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Operators like Tripalink have proven the demand is real. The company, founded in 2016, now manages over 8,000 beds nationwide, including Chicago’s Post Chicago project, the largest co-living development in the Midwest. Rents at Post Chicago start at $1,375, well below the average Class A multifamily unit in the city. The property’s 107 fully furnished units and 19 traditional apartments are already building a strong sense of community through shared amenities, events, and on-site staff.

This combination of affordability and amenities makes co-living a particularly attractive option for Millennials and Gen Z renters. These groups value flexibility and connection, and they are willing to trade some private space for features like fully furnished units, flexible leases, coworking areas, and hotel-like services.

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Architects and developers are now leaning into this trend with designs that balance privacy and social space. Bittoni Architects’ Centinela project in Los Angeles is a good example. It integrates shared kitchens, living rooms, and rooftops while ensuring bedrooms are well-lit, soundproofed, and, where possible, outfitted with balconies. These design choices give residents both the community interaction they want and the personal retreat they need.

The results speak for themselves. Co-living communities maintain strong renewal rates because residents feel rooted in a place where they know their neighbors. This sense of community is a competitive advantage at a time when traditional multifamily properties often struggle to build lasting tenant relationships.

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For investors, co-living offers an appealing set of fundamentals. Units are rented by the bed rather than the unit, which can drive higher gross rent per square foot. Shared amenities and on-site services allow operators to charge for value-added features that improve the resident experience. And because the concept delivers affordability without relying on government subsidies, it is proving resilient even in supply-constrained markets.

There is also significant runway for growth. While co-living has gained traction in large coastal cities, there is strong potential for expansion into secondary markets where housing costs are rising and younger renters are moving for jobs. The operators who can replicate their model at scale will be well-positioned to capture this unmet demand.

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The misconceptions about co-living are fading fast. Concerns about privacy, security, and compatibility are being addressed through better design, stronger management, and technology. Operators like Tripalink use AI to match residents, streamline leasing, and manage turnover, while offering hotel-like services such as regular cleanings and on-site staff.

The result is a renter-centric model that is winning over residents and investors alike. This is not just a short-term housing solution. Co-living is establishing itself as a durable, scalable asset class with a strong future. For investors looking to diversify their multifamily portfolios, now is the time to explore this space.

See you tomorrow,

-The 5