Co-Living Tower Opening in London

The Collective, a Skidmore,Owings and Merill Co-Living tower opening in Summer of 2019

09 May 2019 | London, United Kingdom

A new skyscraper of studio rental apartments is opening in London’s Canary Wharf in Summer 2019, bringing with it what is claimed to be the highest swimming pool in east London.

Renters at The Collective, dubbed the “world’s biggest co-living development” are considered “members,” and will have access to a spa, gym, and sauna, along with a “mindfulness zone” and a golf simulator.

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The Collective Canary Wharf

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Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP

The swimming pool is on the 20th floor with an adjoining bar that offers views over the London skyline and a multi-floor music venue and cinema.

The 705-room development features four different types of studio rooms at varying prices, depending on the length of stay.

“Our members want the flexibility and convenience of being able to stay for one night, a week or longer, and we want to be able to provide that,” says The Collective’s James Penfold.

The smallest room a “Cosy Studio” is charged at £100 (US$130) a night, while a three-month stay is priced at £1,863 (US$2,400) a month.

“All rooms feature a bed area, kitchenette and an en-suite bathroom.”

This studio-only development, designed by architects Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, hasn’t been built with just millennials in mind, insists Penfold. In the company’s Old Oak development in west London, the youngest person living in the building is 18 years old, but the oldest is 65. “Thirty percent of people are aged 50 and over,” he says.

The company wants members to make use the communal spaces, and has an in-house team working on a daily program of events, from yoga to nutrition classes and mental-health workshops. There are also separate, quieter spaces.

One of the most important features of the project is that the local community has access to it. “We have spent the last year working with local charities and schools to come up with a range of social impact programs, like inviting kids from schools to use the pool, and having coffee mornings for single parents.

“The entire building is your home. Your room is a place to rest your head, but the building is accessible to everyone and you’re signing up to be part of a community, which is what we specialize in,” Penfold said.

For more on this story go to Homes&Property.