The Assembly Place taps student housing market, launches 426-bed Campus at Telok Kurau

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Campus by The Assembly Place (TAP), a premium student housing project, has just been launched at 116 Lorong J Telok Kurau. Set on a 104,469 sq ft site, the 426-bed campus is made up of two blocks — one a three-storey building with 161 beds and the other a four-storey block with 265 beds.

The pre-marketing phase for the campus began three weeks ago and over 120 beds in the smaller block were quickly filled by international students from countries in Southeast Asia such as Indonesia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam, as well as those enrolled in James Cook University, Kaplan City Campus, and the Singapore University of Technology and Design.

The typical co-living experience is brought to student accommodation at Campus by TAP. The air-conditioned rooms come in different configurations, with the two or three bed premium rooms being the most sought after. Average rates per bed are around $850 per month, but the premium beds can go up to $1,600 a month.

Amenities, which include an air-conditioned residents’ lounge where movies can be screened, an outdoor cross-fit gym with an indoor air-conditioned section, a basketball court, and outdoor seating areas, have been carefully designed to cater to the needs of students. Each block is also equipped with a communal dining area, social kitchen with kitchen appliances and vending machines, a co-study area, individual study corners, wardrobes, and male and female toilets and shower facilities.

The luxurious Zion Road Condo sits in perfect harmony with the area’s cosmopolitan vibe and natural serenity. Its chic, high-rise towers have been artfully sculpted with sleek outlines and vast glass surfaces that blend in with the cityscape and provide uninterrupted views of the Singapore River and Great World City. Every unit is designed with meticulous attention to detail and space, with modern furnishings and premier amenities to deliver an exclusive living experience. Residents of Zion Road Condo will be treated to an unforgettable lifestyle of sophistication and calm.

Eugene Lim, TAP’s founder and CEO, saw potential in creating a new niche in the international housing market in Singapore to meet the needs of those with a limited monthly housing budget of under $1,000 — which a typical co-living space can’t accommodate. When the Lorong J Telok Kurau site was put up for sale in September, the joint venture between TAP and Apricot Capital, the family office of David Teo, purchased the 103-year lease for $40 million.

Renovation works were done to replace the air-conditioning, electrical systems, plumbing and windows and close to $1 million was spent on landscaping the grounds.

Lim’s goal is to hit 2,000 beds by the end of 2023, and 3,000 beds by 2024. YMCA @ Stevens and TAP Service Residences @ River Valley have already opened and other projects are planned for the near future.

To ensure the wellbeing of the students, TAP plans to offer programmes such as career talks, sports science and F&B, allowing them to interact and connect with their peers. Apart from just offering beds, Lim recognises the importance of creating a community and attending to mental health.

The Assembly Place is cash-flow positive and another round of fundraising may be needed to turbocharge their growth.