SK D&D announced today its strategic partnership with Habyt, the world’s leading co-living provider, through the signing of an MOU aimed at enhancing its residential solution business. The signing ceremony, symbolising this significant collaboration, took place at the Waterfront, a hotel operated by Habyt in Berlin, Germany. Key figures including SK D&D’s CEO Do Hyun Derek Kim and Habyt’s CEO & Founder Luca Bovone were present to mark this momentous occasion.
Headquartered in Berlin, Germany, Habyt is one of the world’s top global co-living providers, operating approximately 30,000 residential spaces in more than 50 cities around the world including Los Angeles, New York, Berlin, Barcelona, Singapore, and Hong Kong, across three continents: the United States, Europe, and Asia.
The two companies decided to establish a strategic partnership and cooperate in jointly promoting and expanding the domestic and overseas corporate rental housing business through the MOU. They will utilise SK D&D’s domestic top-tier residential solution business capabilities and Habyt’s ever-expanding global network to actively cooperate in various areas of marketing, promotion, and ICT (information and communication technology) solutions.
SK D&D plans to expand the network of its residential solution brand ‘Episode’ through Habyt’s online platform and ramp up its status as a mega operator in the corporate rental housing market. The company aims to collaborate with Habyt to showcase Episode’s residential spaces, a short-term rental product, on Habyt’s online platform and make them available on a global scale. Additionally, membership services, including discount benefits, will be extended to Episode residents who utilise Habyt’s residential spaces.
Habyt, seeking to enter the Korean co-living market by joining hands with SK D&D, Korea’s real estate leader, is excited to enter a deep strategic alliance with SK D&D to expand its global offering in its mission to provide access to attainable housing solutions anywhere, which also includes a potential equity investment into ‘D&D Property Solutions (DDPS)’, SK D&D’s subsidiary specialising in property management solutions,
SK D&D’s CEO Do Hyun Derek Kim said, “This MOU will be an important breakthrough in expanding Episode’s network globally and further reinforcing its status as an industry leader” adding, “We will continue to try our best to provide Episode’s brand value to city residents not only in Korea but around the world.”
Habyt’s CEO & Founder Luca Bovone said, “We are thrilled to spearhead our entry into the Korean market through this strategic partnership with SK D&D, Korea’s leading residential solution provider. The close alignment in our mission, vision and commitment to provide a better housing experience for all promises an exciting expansion of the global Habyt portfolio into the vibrant city of Seoul, which continues to grow as a highly sought after destination for international students, young professionals, and digital nomads.”
Meanwhile, Episode is SK D&D’s residential solution brand that dreams of a ‘better urban living’, providing residential spaces and services for those living in the city and pursuing a variety of lifestyles. It currently operates 3,700 households in six sites in Seongsu, Seocho, Gangnam, Sinchon, and Suyu. Episode’s seventh branch ‘Episode Yongsan 241’ is scheduled to open in May.
