Summary
Lilo Collection Overview
By launching with three Barcelona units, the brand-new Lilo Collection hopes to offer fractional condo ownership opportunities across Europe. The London-based startup Lilo Collection is introducing what it calls “invest and experience” by allowing travelers to buy a fraction of a luxury property in the world’s most coveted cities.
Fractional Ownership Model
This means instead of just renting out these turnkey high-end homes, travelers can actually own a piece of them, in one-eighth share increments. “Lilo makes investing in, experiencing, and collecting premium property shares effortless and beautiful,” said co-founder Emily Chan, who started the company with Christopher Lass six months ago. “We take a highly bespoke and personal approach, carefully curating a selection of premium property listings in the world’s most sought-after cities, and making sure we find the perfect property for you.”
However, the best part is that they take the hassle out of navigating the red tape of international investments. With Lilo, owning a property is as simple as it gets. The Lilo experience is purposely designed to remove all the typical logistics for the investor that tend to make property purchases stressful and onerous. The admin burden is placed on Lilo, ensuring your buying experience is as hassle-free and pleasurable as possible.
While the idea may seem similar to a timeshare, Lass explains how it’s completely different. “Lilo co-owners have legal ownership of the property, whereas timeshare holders do not,” he said. Consequently, members of the Lilo community can also capture full value appreciation on the property should they decide to sell their share in the future.
Properties in Barcelona
Last month, the company launched its first collection of homes in Barcelona, featuring three properties in the Eixample district. Two of the homes are in The Gràcia building right on Passeig de Gràcia. The three-room, 1,270-square-foot unit starts at €396K per one-eighth share, while the two-room, 646-square-foot unit offers shares for €195K. Both include access to a communal rooftop pool. The third property, called The Onda Penthouse, is a three-room, 1,238-square-foot unit that features its own private rooftop for €178K per share.
Each share entitles investors to 45 days per year at the property, providing flexibility to invest in one to four shares of a unit without waiting for complete sell-out.
Personalized Ownership Experience
Spain’s second largest city was an obvious choice for Chan and Lass to focus on for Lilo’s debut collection. Barcelona “has an infectious energy and houses a vibrant and creative hub right on the Mediterranean,” Chan noted. Lass described the Eixample neighborhood as “like walking through an open-air museum” with architectural jewels of Catalan modernism, luxury boutiques, cosmopolitan terraces, and some of the world’s most delectable restaurants.
The decor within each unit is also specifically curated with items sourced from top manufacturers, providing a unique character that emphasizes collector’s value. “This gives every home a unique character and plays with the concept of creating collectors’ value,” Chan explained. Moreover, their sleeping standard is exceptional, featuring incredibly comfortable beds from Vispring, which has been crafting luxury beds for over a century.
Future Growth Plans
The idea behind the company first sprouted during Chan’s childhood. The constant movement sparked a fascination with how change fuels reimagination. Together with Lass, they devised a framework that combines tech innovations with real estate and finance expertise, resulting in a unique investment product. Presently, their focus is on Europe, with ownership opportunities in cities like London, Berlin, and Lisbon on the horizon. They hope to eventually expand globally into the world’s most sought-after cities.
Ultimately, it’s about human connection. By owning a property, individuals become part of a visionary global community, allowing them to inspire one another and trade property shares or time quotas across collections. Not only does the ownership stake represent an investment opportunity by earning a share of the appreciation value when the property is sold, but real estate serves as a deeply personal investment, reflecting the emotional connection akin to art, cars, and watches—making it one of the most sustainable investments one can make for their future.