Singaporean group The Ascott Limited is continuing to expand in France, basing its development on a new management model, the franchise. At the start of the year, the world leader in long-stay hotels had already initiated this development by announcing an agreement with the Aegide group, which specialises in serviced residences for senior citizens. This partnership took shape on 17 September with the opening of Citadines Confluent Nantes, a 71-studio residence located in the heart of Nantes. in the heart of the business district and ten minutes from the TGV station. "In addition to the strong growth in its portfolio of Domitys senior residences, the Aegide Group wanted to round out its offering at certain sites by creating and operating hotel residences."said Frédéric Walther, Managing Director of the Aegide Group. The agreement between Ascott and Aegide provides for the opening of a new residence in 2020, the Citadines Eurométropole Strasbourg.
This strategy of combining a residence for business or leisure travellers with a seniors' residence in a single development is set to be developed further. On 26 September, Ascott and Aegide signed an agreement covering four new projects. As part of this agreement, the Citadines Connect brandlaunched this year in New York and positioned for short stays by nomadic executives, will make its French debut in 2023, in Roanne, with a 65-room hotel. Also in 2023, an 85-unit Citadines residence will open in Toulouse, as part of a complex that also includes shops, a restaurant, a senior citizens' residence, a crèche and sports facilities, all close to the Purpan hospital.
For its part, The Crest Collection, a selection of prestigious addresses including La Clef Champs-Elyséesrecently opened in Paris, is set to expand its offering. While Aegide already has a top-of-the-range hotel in Tours, the Hôtel Château Belmont, which is a Clarion franchise, it will be moving upmarket and joining the Ascott fold next year. Set in 2.5 hectares of parkland, it will offer 165 rooms and meeting and event facilities, as well as a restaurant, bar, spa and fitness centre.
Another future member of the Crest Collection, the luxury residence La Clef Golfe-Juan is due to open in 2023 near Nice and Cannes. This 90-unit property will be built next to a new senior citizens' residence and will include a restaurant, rooftop swimming pool, spa and fitness facilities. What's next? The partnership between the Aegide Group and the long-stay hotel specialist could give rise to further developments. "The story continues. We get on well"Frédéric Walther, who sees the possibility of exporting his senior residences model to Asia through this close relationship with Ascott.
These announcements demonstrate the Ascott Group's commitment to growing all its brands. On the back of record expansion, The Ascott Limited has passed the 112,000-unit mark worldwide and has set itself a new target of 160,000 units by 2023. The group intends to continue expanding its portfolio in Asia, Europe, Australia - a Citadines has been announced in Sydney's CBD - and even Kenya. "Ascott will continue to take advantage of this growth momentum to expand its reach through an international network of recognised hotel brands, said Kevin Goh, CEO of the Singapore group. We plan to open 21 residences this year, totalling more than 3,000 units."Among these, the first of the Lyf brand in SingaporeThis 412-bedroom, 279-apartment co-living residence is aimed at the new generation of business travellers.
