2025-05-14
Centaline Group Launches New Student Housing Brand ‘CampusOne Communities’ to Unlock 100 Billion-Dollar Investment Opportunities for Property Owners; First Project ‘One Pace 117’ with Rents Starting from Over HK$6,000
Centaline Investment announced today the establishment of a new student housing operating platform branded, CampusOne Communities, which will be operated by Centaline OpCo Ltd., a subsidiary of Centaline Investment. CampusOne Communities aims to provide high-quality and safe accommodation and living experiences for students studying at Hong Kong’s higher education institutions, while also assisting property owners in transforming suitable properties into student housing to seize new market opportunities and achieve stable returns.
Student Housing Market Potential: Educational Demand Drives Leasing
Mr. Shih Wing-ching, Chairman of Centaline Group, stated that education is a top priority for parents, who pay special attention to all matters related to their children’s academic pursuits. High-quality accommodation enables students to focus on their studies in a safe and comfortable environment—an area many parents are willing to invest in. Demand for premium student housing is steadily rising. As an educational hub in Asia, Hong Kong is expected to see a continuous increase in the number of students coming to study, further driving accommodation demand and energizing the rental market.
Premium Residences Cater to Student Needs and Help Property Owners Explore Business Opportunities
Ms. Shih Wai-kan, Chairlady of Centaline Group subsidiaries, highlighted that university students have a strong demand for accommodation. CampusOne Communities seeks to address this need with high-quality housing and a professional operation model, creating an unforgettable and comfortable study-abroad experience for students. At the same time, the brand offers services to property owners interested in converting their properties into student housing, helping them capitalize on this emerging trend.
Assisting Property Owners in Transformation: Market Size Expected to Reach Hundreds of Billions
Ms. Kavis Ip, CEO of Centaline Investment, explained that CampusOne Communities will assist property owners in assessing the feasibility of converting hotels, entire residential buildings, office buildings, industrial buildings, and even land plots into student housing. Transformations involving hotels and residential properties are relatively straightforward and quick, aligning well with current market needs. She also noted that Hong Kong’s higher education institutions are facing a shortage of dormitory spaces, and Centaline is actively collaborating with various institutions to explore solutions. The company plans to launch diverse student housing projects in the future to offer students more options. It is expected that the student housing investment market in Hong Kong will grow to between HK$75 billion and nearly HK$100 billion over the next five years, underscoring its immense potential.
One-Stop Service: Professional and Efficient
Mr. Matthew Chow, Director of Investment and Asset Management of Centaline Investment, explains that CampusOne Communities will provide property owners with professional analysis to evaluate the feasibility of converting properties into student housing. If deemed suitable, the company will offer comprehensive technical analysis, develop business plans, and deliver one-stop services—covering renovation execution and supervision, leasing, and operations—providing property owners or investors with an additional investment avenue.
Introducing International Experience to Meet Student Needs and Balance Cost-Effectiveness
Ms. Josephine Kong, Managing Director and CIO of Centaline Investment, stated that student housing under CampusOne Communities is designed as student-centric, featuring high-end security systems, recreational facilities, and public spaces. Activities tailored to students’ preferences and lifestyle needs will also be organized to create an ideal learning and living environment. Additionally, CampusOne Communities will leverage operational expertise from mature markets like the United States and the United Kingdom, bringing cost-effective solutions to Hong Kong to make projects more appealing to institutional investors.
Case Study: One Pace 117 to be Launched Soon
Brand Case Study: One Pace 117, the first project under CampusOne Communities, is located in Tsim Sha Tsui. Previously a hotel, it is just a 5-minute walk from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, offering a prime location. Renovation is expected to take approximately 5 months, with the first batch of students able to move in by August this year. One Pace 117 provides single, double, and triple rooms, along with spacious public areas for student use. The project boasts Hong Kong’s first student housing with a rooftop offering fireworks and sea views, as well as the fastest broadband service, aiming to deliver a premium living experience.
One Pace 117 is now accepting leasing applications, with monthly rents for beds in triple rooms starting from over HK$6,000.