Co-Living in Shophouses: A Growing Trend in Singapore

In a city where space is limited and rental prices are rising, co-living has emerged as a smart solution for both tenants and investors. And increasingly, the setting of choice isn’t a high-rise apartment, but the heritage-rich shophouse.

What Is Co-Living, and Why Shophouses Work?

Co-living allows multiple tenants to rent private rooms while sharing common facilities. (Image credit: Robb Report, 2020)

Co-living spaces are modern shared accommodations where tenants rent private rooms but share common facilities like kitchens, lounges, and laundry areas. What makes shophouses ideal for this model?

• Spacious layouts

• Multi-storey configurations

• Prime city or fringe locations

• Distinct charm and identity

Unlike sterile apartments, shophouses offer a unique lifestyle appeal, especially to young professionals and expats looking for something different from the usual condo rental.

Who’s Leading the Co-Living Scene in Singapore?

To better understand how the co-living model works and what’s driving demand, here are five well-known co-living brands operating across Singapore today:

Coliwoo

Coliwoo Lavender Collection shophouse in Serangoon Road (Image credit: Coliwoo)

One of the most recognisable names in the co-living market, Coliwoo offers fully furnished private rooms with shared communal areas, appealing to working professionals and students.

• Outlets: 10+ across Singapore.

• Locations: Balestier, Boon Lay, Keppel Road, Serangoon Road

• Target: Young professionals, students, long-stay expats.

lyf by The Ascott Limited

A co-working lounge at lyf Farrer Park (Image credit: Ascott Star Rewards)

Part of the CapitaLand group, lyf (pronounced "life") combines co-living with lifestyle-focused community spaces. Their properties often include fitness zones, event areas, and shared kitchens.

• Outlets: 4 in Singapore.

• Locations: Bugis, Funan, Farrer Park, One-north, Chinatown (opening in 2026).

• Target: Millennials, creatives, digital nomads.

Cove

A Cove four 2-storey shophouses at 31, 33, 35 & 37 Kinta Road (Image credit: Samuel Isaac Chua, EdgeProp, 2023)

Cove focuses on offering affordable, flexible co-living rooms in existing homes and apartments, often in residential estates. It’s known for its app-based booking and management system.

• Outlets: 200+ properties (rooms, not buildings).

• Locations: Novena, Tiong Bahru, Beauty World.

• Target: Young locals, expats, flexible urban dwellers.

Hmlet (soon to be called Habyt)

Hmlet blends design-driven spaces with a focus on community and convenience. Most of their units offer short-term leases and come fully furnished with communal areas and services.

• Outlets: 10+

• Locations: Serangoon, Tanah Merah, One-north 

• Target: Expats, relocating professionals, mid-to long-term renters.

Figment

A Figment co-living shophouse in Joo Chiat (Image credit: Figment)

Figment takes a boutique, art-inspired approach to co-living. Their homes are often heritage shophouses transformed into stylish, curated living spaces.

• Outlets: 25+ units (mostly shophouses).

• Locations: Jalan Besar, Joo Chiat, Emerald Hill, River Valley, Geylang.

• Target: Design-conscious tenants, creatives, high-end co-living seekers.

Rising Demand from a New Generation of Renters

As living costs climb, more tenants are trading private apartments for shared living arrangements that are affordable, flexible, and social. Many co-living operators target tenants who want:

• Central locations without paying full-unit rent.

• Community and networking opportunities.

• Short-term leases with fully furnished setups.

This trend is particularly strong in areas like Chinatown, Little India, Bugis, and Joo Chiat, where shophouses are walkable to MRTs, cafés, and workplaces.

How Investors Are Tapping Into This Trend

Some shophouse owners are now repositioning their properties into co-living spaces to meet this demand. These upgraded units often include:

• 4 to 8 ensuite bedrooms

• Shared kitchen and lounge spaces

• High-speed Wi-Fi and smart security access

• Regular housekeeping services

For investors, this means higher yield per square foot compared to renting out the entire unit to a single tenant.

The co-living trend in Singapore is a response to real shifts in how people live, work, and rent in the city.

For investors, shophouses offer a unique opportunity to tap into this movement by transforming underutilized spaces into high-demand, community-driven rentals. The blend of heritage charm, central location, and flexible configurations makes shophouses particularly suited for co-living conversions.

Still unsure? Explore our latest listings or get in touch with the PSE team to find the right shophouse for you!