The world of real estate investment is about to get a major shake-up with the launch of FHS Living, an innovative platform that aims to unite Europe's living assets with global capital. This new initiative, set to debut in Paris in February 2027, is a game-changer for the industry, and I'm excited to delve into its potential impact and the fascinating insights it offers.
Unlocking Europe's Living Assets
FHS Living is a response to a pressing need in the market. Despite the significant investment in European living assets, estimated at €46.9 billion in 2025, there has been a notable absence of a dedicated platform bringing together key players across the sector. This platform aims to bridge that gap, creating a curated marketplace where investors, developers, and operators can converge, transact, and forge partnerships.
What makes this particularly fascinating is the platform's focus on a diverse range of living asset classes. From branded residences and student accommodation to senior living and co-living spaces, FHS Living recognizes the evolving nature of real estate investment and the need to cater to a wide spectrum of needs and preferences.
A Curated Investment Marketplace
The platform operates as a carefully curated investment marketplace, offering a range of features to facilitate meaningful connections and transactions. Pre-scheduled 1:1 meetings with investors, a dedicated deal room, and structured roundtables focused on capital deployment are just some of the tools designed to streamline the investment process. Additionally, the inclusion of a leadership stage and investor site tours of live Paris projects adds a unique, experiential element to the platform.
Addressing a Market Gap
The need for FHS Living is evident when we consider the scale of investment in Europe's living assets. With a further €50 billion of capital planned for deployment over the next three years, it's clear that the industry is thriving and evolving. However, as Jonathan Worsley, Chairman of The Bench, highlights, the industry is at an inflection point. Capital is moving across sectors, geographies, and disciplines, and a forum that reflects this dynamic nature is long overdue.
A Track Record of Success
FHS Living builds upon the success of The Bench's Future Hospitality Summit series, which has a proven track record of bringing together key players in the hospitality investment community. Across the 2025 conference series, Future Hospitality Summit facilitated an impressive USD 3 billion in business opportunities and saw 29 landmark hotel signings announced. This new platform carries that convening power into the living sector, with a focus on Europe.
A Forward-Looking Initiative
What I find especially intriguing about FHS Living is its forward-looking approach. By bringing together leaders from across the living and real estate investment sector, the platform aims to define new models of living and address the evolving needs of a dynamic market. The inclusion of sessions such as "Where Capital Is Moving: Living Sectors as the Next Frontier" and "Underwriting Living Assets: Risk, Returns & Platform Strategies" highlights the platform's commitment to staying ahead of the curve and shaping the future of the industry.
Conclusion
FHS Living is more than just an investment platform; it's a catalyst for innovation and collaboration in the European real estate market. By uniting capital with opportunity across regions and asset classes, FHS Living has the potential to redefine how we think about and invest in living spaces. I, for one, am eager to see the impact this initiative will have on the industry and the exciting developments it will bring.
