New York-based co-living provider The Collective confirmed plans to expand into Chicago; following a trio of acquisitions in New York, Chicago becomes the second city in The Collective’s U.S. expansion. The announcement includes plans to create a purpose-built co-living project in the South Loop neighborhood of Printer’s Row.
“At The Collective, we’re working to make co-living an option for people all over the world. Demand continues to grow for people to live in cities like New York and Chicago, yet the majority of us are systematically priced out of the hearts of these key urban centers,” said The Collective’s founder and CEO, Reza Merchant. “Chicago is a truly global city, full of established and aspiring leaders across the cultural, culinary, political and business landscapes. We are honored to announce our arrival.”
The 170,000-square-foot development at 633 S. LaSalle Street is a crucial stepping stone in the co-living firm’s rollout. As with each of The Collective’s locations, its objective for Chicago is to build and activate a space that fosters human connection and enables people to lead more fulfilling lives. The Collective’s first site in Chicago will have a publicly accessible ground floor with a food concept, café, hang space and cultural programs to be unveiled at a later date.
“Over the last few months, we have been actively engaged with the city and local community groups, with the aim of integrating the surrounding neighborhood in our project,” Merchant said. “Working closely with locals is a top priority for us, so that we better understand how to truly activate our block and welcome people in, to share in communal resources and experiences.”
