CO-LIVING & BTR
About Co-living & BTR
Co-living and BTR are alternate forms of rental housing that have become well established in major urban centres like London, Hong Kong, Singapore etc, and are gathering significant growth momentum in Australia. In Australia, completed BTR developments and pipelines have increased greatly in recent years, meanwhile co-living has also been attracting strong institutional investor interest. In essence, both BTR and co-living are institutionally managed, providing guests with greater security of tenure, larger amenity offering as well as a community focus.
BTR developments typically comprise of varying room typologies, targeting longer term tenants who prefer residing in urban centres. Meanwhile, co-living offers fully furnished private studios with communal spaces and events for dining, leisure and socialising. Co-living is an alternative to traditional residential rental models, with more flexible lease arrangements, no upfront costs of relocation and furnishing for tenants, as well as a hassle-free and more affordable rental option. As such, targeting the younger demographic typically aged 18-35 renters who are seeking high quality and value-for-money accommodation with greater experiential living within urbanised environments.
About Pro-invest’s Flex-living
As one of the largest hospitality investment platforms in Australasia, Pro-invest leverages its vertically integrated business model, well established operational expertise, as well as scale to develop, deliver, manage and operate Flex-living assets. Pro-invest differentiates by offering flexible stay options, alongside our curated hospitality experiences including incorporating integrated technology, procurement, strategic partnerships, among others, enhancing guests’ experiences.
Pro-invest’s Flex-living addresses a key market gap in the residential rental sector, in response to the growing rental demand, housing affordability challenges, and shifting lifestyle preferences, by providing flexible and experience-rich environments for a diverse target market including young professionals and university students. The model blends community, convenience, and comfort, tailored to a mobile and socially connected demographic
NEWS
Australia’s rental market has reached a critical low, with national vacancy rates dropping to just 1.47% – the lowest on record. Pro-invest Group is responding with scalable, flexible housing solutions to help ease the pressure on renters.
At EXPO Real 2025, Dr. Sabine Schaffer joined a leading panel on capital flows and the future of the living sector — highlighting investor demand for sustainable, flexible real assets and reaffirming Pro-invest Group’s leadership in shaping the next era of living.
Pro-invest Group’s Dr. Sabine Schaffer participated in an ANREV panel in London, joining leaders from Partners Group, Scape, and ANREV to discuss investor capital flows and emerging opportunities in Asia-Pacific real estate. The event focused on the rapid growth of the Living sector, including Build-to-Rent and Flex-Living, driven by shifting lifestyles, urbanisation, and the demand for sustainable, flexible solutions, highlighting how innovation and collaboration are shaping the industry’s future for residents and investors alike
At AHC 2025 in Manchester, Pro-invest Group’s Co-Founder and CEO Europe, Dr. Sabine Schaffer, shared her vision for the future of hospitality — one shaped by flexibility, sustainability, and guest-centric innovation. Sabine highlighted how Pro-invest Group’s Living Platform is embracing Build-to-Rent (BTR) and Flex-Living concepts to deliver alternative stay solutions that reflect the way people live, travel, and stay today and into the future.
Australia faces its most severe housing shortage in decades, with essential workers among the hardest hit. Pro-invest Group is responding with bold solutions: a new flex-living brand and a A$500 million Build-to-Rent joint venture with Japan’s Kajima Corporation. Focused on affordability, sustainability and community, these projects aim to deliver much-needed rental homes in key cities. Discover how Pro-invest is reshaping Australia’s rental landscape and supporting Australia.
As affordability and lifestyle trends reshape housing across Asia Pacific, Flex-Living is emerging as the next evolution in the living sector — bridging hospitality and residential investment. The model aligns with Pro-invest Group’s Living Platform strategy to deliver sustainable, flexible, and community-focused housing solutions for modern urban living
Sydney, Australia 16 June 2025: Pro-invest Group announces a joint venture with Japanese leading construction and real estate firm Kajima to develop a new generation of ground-up Build-to-Rent (BTR) properties in Australia. The partnership aims to address the nation’s escalating housing crisis, with Australia currently experiencing its most severe housing shortage in decades thanks to population growth and an undersupply of homes.
Dr. Sabine Schaffer, Co-Founder & Managing Partner of Pro-invest Group, joins Spencer Levy and Stuart McCann on CBRE’s The Weekly Take podcast to discuss why co-living is gaining traction as a flexible, scalable solution for urban housing. The podcast was proudly featured across the CBRE website, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and LinkedIn, reaching a broad audience.
Our Co-Founder Sabine Schaffer is quoted in this story from Hospitality Investor about how to bridge the gap between hospitality and residential. As we approach the launch of our new flex living brand, it’s clear that flex-living is ready to transform the hospitality investment landscape.
Pro-invest Group was recently featured in the Australian Financial Review, spotlighting its strategic expansion into the flex-living sector and its leadership in sustainable hospitality investment. The article highlights Pro-invest’s integrated platform and ESG-first approach as key drivers of long-term value creation for investors.