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Industries & Specialties

Living

A full-lifecycle platform for maximum value
woman inside apartment
 

The living sector is evolving fast, shaped by a rapid evolution in demographic trends, lifestyle demands and investor appetite. 

The Living sector covers everything from student housing (PBSA) and build-to-rent (BTR) communities to co-living and retirement homes. We advise on these assets at every stage of their lifecycle. In South Korea, big changes are happening. The old Jeonse system is giving way to monthly rentals, and new policies are opening doors for investors. With an aging population and more single-person households, the demand for new living solutions is strong. For investors and developers who know how to navigate the policy shifts, there's real opportunity. Our market knowledge gives clients the edge to act with confidence. 

What Sets Us Apart

Full Lifecycle Expertise

We guide clients through every stage of a Living asset's life, from site selection and underwriting to lease-up, management, and sale. This end-to-end perspective is crucial for navigating South Korea's evolving policy landscape and separating sound strategy from costly missteps.

Living Sector Specialists

Our team offers deep expertise in BTR, PBSA, co-living, senior living, and affordable housing. In a market where each sub-sector has unique regulations, this specialised knowledge is a prerequisite for success.

Data-Led, Human-Centered

We combine proprietary research and market intelligence with a focus on resident experience. Understanding both macro trends like population ageing and resident needs is key to driving durable asset performance.

Invested in Performance

Every recommendation is grounded in asset economics. Whether advising on acquisitions, operations, or exit timing, we provide the analytical discipline to support strong, stable returns across market cycles in South Korea.

Services

Our Services

Capital Markets


We offer unparalleled access to capital and investment opportunities. Our team advises on capital structuring, fund sourcing, and disposition strategies to maximise value.

Learn more about our capital markets services

Consulting


Navigating a dynamic Living sector requires a forward-thinking strategy. We advise on market entry, portfolio positioning, and operational optimisation.

Learn more about our consulting services 

Project & Development Services


We help clients achieve their Living real estate goals by integrating expertise across project management, building consultancy, cost consultancy, building engineering, and sustainability. Our specialists provide end-to-end support, from design to construction, ensuring value-driven, risk-managed solutions. 

Learn more about our project & development services 

Research & Market Intelligence


In a rapidly evolving market, accurate intelligence is key. Our research team provides in-depth analysis of the South Korean Living sector in reports such as our Living Sector in Seoul report, covering demographics, policy, and supply-demand dynamics. We deliver actionable insights to give you a competitive advantage.

Specialisation

Industry Expertise



Build-to-Rent (BTR) / Multifamily


The government’s New Rental Housing Supply Plan for Housing stability, together with ongoing urban renewal and REIT reform, look set to be important for institutional BTR participation. We support clients from site acquisition, feasibility, capital structuring and disposition, helping them navigate these new plans. Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA).

New regulations have opened the door for private PBSA development in South Korea as overseas student numbers rise. We advise on site strategy, feasibility, and capital structuring to help you seize this growing opportunity and develop high-quality student housing assets. 

Retirement Living


As an aged society, demand for quality senior housing is growing. We assist with feasibility studies, capital structuring, and asset positioning, helping clients create communities that deliver both social value and strong returns. 

Co-Living / Flexible Housing


Co-living is an emerging solution to urban density. We help investors and developers understand this niche market, from optimising design to establishing effective operational models. Flexible housing is the type of housing that combines BTR and short stay accomodation to compensate the low return for co-living. The percentage between co-living and flexible living can be altered according to the market. 

Team

Sorim-Jie
Sorim Jie

General Manager
Seoul, Korea, Republic of

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Suki-Kim-bio.jpg
Suki Kim

Head of Research, Korea
Seoul, Korea, Republic of

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Contact us

Research

Warehouse Internal Rack
MarketBeat • Investment / Capital Markets

Investment MarketBeat Report

Cushman & Wakefield's Q2 2026 Seoul Investment MarketBeat report is now available to download. Please click on the link to read our latest report.
Suki Kim • 03/08/2026
Living Sector Seoul CardImage.png
Insights • Investment / Capital Markets

Living Sector in Seoul

Housing policies have alternated between tightening and easing, significantly impacting prices and sentiment.
Suki Kim • 21/02/2026
AU Living Trio-2-Card Image.jpg
Research • Investment / Capital Markets

Australian Living Trio Reports

Three Foundational Papers Exploring Australia’s Build-to-Rent, Student Accommodation and Retirement Living sectors
24/10/2025
Asia REIT Market_card image.jpg
Insights • Investment / Capital Markets

Instant Insight #2 Asia REIT Market

Since 2019, Korea’s REITs have experienced rapid growth, primarily led by large corporate-sponsored vehicles.
Suki Kim • 04/09/2025
APAC Marketbeat
MarketBeat

Seoul MarketBeat

Cushman & Wakefield MarketBeat reports analyze quarterly economic and commercial real estate activity including supply, demand and pricing trends at the market and submarket levels.
Suki Kim • 29/08/2025
Fit Out Cost Guide 2025_Web Card.jpg
Insights • Investment / Capital Markets

Instant Insight #1 Office Fit Out Cost Guide

In Korea, higher construction costs have pushed up rents for new buildings. 
Suki Kim • 09/06/2025
CRE Outlook 2025 KR.jpg
Research • Economy

2025 Korea CRE Market Outlook Report

The office sector demonstrated strong performance, supported by stable rents and yields, while the logistics sector continued to see transactions involving prime centers and NPLs, despite ongoing oversupply challenges.
Suki Kim • 18/12/2024
View all

Frequently Asked Questions

Advisory spans the full investment lifecycle of residential assets, including BTR, PBSA, co-living, and retirement housing. We advise on acquisition strategy, underwriting, regulatory navigation, asset management, and disposition.

The market carries structural characteristics that set it apart. The Jeonse system, a lump-sum deposit rental model unique to South Korea, has historically suppressed institutional rental housing activity. As Jeonse loses ground to monthly rental models, the conditions for institutional investment are improving materially.

The most significant shift is the New Rental Housing Supply Plan, which introduces deregulation and incentives designed to attract institutional participation. We help clients model both the opportunity and the regulatory constraints before committing capital.

The demographic case is clear, South Korea is now an aged society, with demand for quality senior housing significantly outpacing supply. We advise investors and developers on feasibility, structuring, and market positioning to ensure assets are built for long-term performance.

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