Co-living in Marseille: Cohabs is putting more innovative accommodations on the market with the opening of a new “house”

Inauguration of the La Blancarde residence on March 6, 2025

Cohabs, an accommodations company that has been specializing in co-living since 2016, now has two residences in Marseille. The Brussels-based company has tapped into the booming shared housing concept and raised €130 million in May 2024 to accelerate its expansion in France and abroad. On Thursday March 6, Cohabs inaugurated its second house in Marseille, this time in the La Blancarde neighborhood. A typical Marseille building with the traditional three façade windows on each floor and a garden, it has been fully renovated to provide residents with a welcoming setting where they feel at home. Cohabs aims to open between 15 and 20 residential properties in the Aix-Marseille-Provence metro area within the next four years.

Faced with rising rents and a shortage of available housing on the rental market, many young working people are struggling to find affordable, flexible, and suitable accommodation. Cohabs is providing an innovative solution to the problem by providing co-living solutions designed to meet the evolving needs of city dwellers while offering a mix of comfort and conviviality.

Renovation and promotion of buildings in Marseille

“For our first residence in the Les Chartreux neighborhood, we obtained an excellent B rating for our official energy performance diagnosis, which is something that is generally only given to new housing,” explains Alexandre Bonbon, the City Manager for Marseille.

The positive environmental results are due to the company’s proud commitment to selecting the right materials for the residences, notably the joinery and the heating and air-conditioning systems. The enhancement of Marseille’s existing buildings, from the façades to the interior fittings and fixtures, also responds to the need to increase the density and diversity of the city’s housing.

The company uses standard furnished apartment leases with monthly rents of between approximately €700 and €800. For this price, people receive a private room, access to common areas – including an outdoor area – and a range of services such as cleaning, Wi-Fi, and insurance.

Cohabs is doing renovations to ensure the long-term viability of its residences with an ambitious strategy to put properties back on the market and maintain them as quality living spaces for the next 40 to 50 years. The company is also dedicated to preserving the traditional charm of the buildings while paying special attention to the interior design. The aim is to offer friendly communal spaces and comfortable private quarters that make people feel like they are living in a home. Opened just a few weeks ago in the Les Chartreux neighborhood, the first Cohab residene in Marseille has 20 rooms, and already boasts an occupancy rate of 90%.

Cohabs: an attractive solution for newcomers to Marseille

Already established in London, Brussels, Paris, Luxembourg, Madrid, Milan, New York, and Washington, Cohabs has selected Marseille as its ninth city of operation.

“Like other major European cities that are enjoying growing appeal, Marseille is an ideal place for this type of housing. The city attracts people thanks to its climate, great living environment, and dynamic culture. There are also really interesting opportunities for investment and housing renovation,” explains Alexandre Bonbon. Provence Promotion is providing support to Cohabs as the company continues to pursue development plans in the territory.

Cohabs was launched in 2016 by four Belgian entrepreneurs – Youri Dauber, François Samyn, Malik Dauber, and Lionel Jadot. In 2022, the company began receiving financial backing from Ivanhoé Cambridge, which is a subsidiary of the CDPQ Quebec Deposit and Investment Fun. It has also received support from Belfius Insurance and the real estate branch of the Belgian Sovereign Wealth Fund (SFPIM). In May 2024, the company raised another €130 million in funding, including more investment from two long-standing shareholders, AG Real Estate and Alphastone Investments.

For new arrivals to a city, Cohabs provides a turnkey housing solution that avoids the classic constraints of renting: no deposit, no furniture or appliances to buy, and no long-term lease. This flexibility is a big advantage for young professionals who are seeking a temporary living solution before putting down more permanent roots. In addition, co-living makes it easy to connect with people. In Marseille, the first co-living residents come from Paris, Lyon, and Bordeaux, but also from other countries in Europe and 10% from Provence.

Cohabs designs spaces for the residences that are conducive to social interactions, such as a gym, a cinema and, as a rule, a garden or outdoor space. The La Blancarde residence, which was inaugurated on March 6, offers 15 apartments and has 200 square meters of shared space, including a 100-square-metre outdoor area.