Ascott serviced apartments expand into Japan

The Ascott Limited (Ascott) has increased its presence in Japan with the opening of its first Citadines serviced residence in Osaka.

Relocate Editorial

23 January 2020

Opened last week and located near the Namba Station, Ascott’s Citadines Namba Osaka is based in the middle of Osaka’s popular entertainment and shopping district, and is surrounded by commercial buildings.Tan Lai Seng, Ascott’s regional manager for Japan & Korea, says, “With Japan’s thriving economy and inbound travel market, we see great opportunities to expand in the country where we have a strong portfolio of over 5,000 units across more than 30 serviced residences, hotels and rental housing properties in nine cities.“Our properties have been performing well at an occupancy rate of 80 per cent to 90 per cent. Upcoming major events such as the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, and Osaka-Kansai World Expo are expected to boost demand for our lodging properties, including Citadines Namba Osaka.”

Citadines Namba Osaka: a vibrant hub

Citadines Namba Osaka will enjoy a ready catchment of both business and leisure travellers given its central location in a busy financial, retail, and recreational hub and proximity to tourist attractions. Guests can visit nearby tourist attractions such as the Dotonbori, Kuromon Market, Osaka Castle, Universal Studios Japan and Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan.Paying homage to the heritage building’s roots as a department store, Citadines Namba Osaka has taken on a modern Art Deco design that evokes nostalgic memories of a department store of the past, with concepts of fashion and shopping being weaved into different parts of the property, furniture pieces, signages and artworks. The old-world charm of the marbled column lobby is accentuated by intricate details such as acanthus motifs, ornate carvings, decorative travel trunks and elevators with dial indicators retaining the original design used in the building years ago.

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The Citadines serviced residence offers 313 units with varied apartment types to cater to guests on short and long stays. Exuding a fresh and welcoming ambience, the apartments are adorned with graphic artwork featuring traditional pattern markings of tailor-made costumes and shoes, as well as quirky furniture pieces such as cushions in the form of suit buttons and a TV console reminiscent of a suitcase. The studio apartment is designed for short-stay travellers while the studio executive apartment with a fully-equipped kitchen is suitable for extended stays.The one- and two-bedroom apartments are more spacious, with separate living rooms, and are ideal for long-stay guests as well as families with children. Guests can enjoy facilities such as restaurants, gymnasium, meeting rooms, launderette, children’s playroom as well as a residents’ lounge with a kitchen.

Plans for continued growth in Japan

Next year, Ascott will open lyf Tenjin Fukuoka, its first co-living property in Japan under the lyf brand, which caters for Millennials and Millennial-minded. Ascott’s first property in Yokohama, another Citadines property, is planned to open in 2023.Mr Tan adds, “We will continue to pursue growth through management contracts, leases, investments and strategic alliances with market leaders in gateway cities such as Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka and Yokohama.”