Coliving Is Not A Trend — It’s A Necessity

In fast-changing Luxembourg, Jerome Ensh turns displacement into innovation—his firm Vauban&Fort redefines coliving with over 550 rooms and a bold vision of what ‘home’ truly means.

After more than 12 years living in London and New York, Jerome returned to Luxembourg to face an unexpected challenge in housing and noticed the lack of vibrant, welcoming coliving spaces for newcomers.

“I had lived in Chelsea and South Kensington. Coming back to Luxembourg I found myself isolated in a place that didn’t feel quite like home. I missed the community spirit, the shared dinners and the laughter I had been used to,” he recalls.

This experience slowly turned into an idea. In 2015, with just one property and five rooms, Jerome launched what would become Vauban&Fort, named after Napoleon’s iconic military architect who turned Luxembourg into one of the foremost fortifications in Northern Europe. “It felt symbolic,” he says. “Vauban substantially upgraded and transformed the fortifications of Luxembourg. The saying “my home, my castle” resonated with me and I wanted to impart that sense of security to owners, making them feel that their properties are managed properly and taken care of.”

Building a Coliving Movement

What began ten years ago as a solo venture has grown into a professional property management and community-building dynamo. Vauban&Fort manages over 550 rooms and aims to pass the 750 mark towards the middle of 2026. The acquisition of LuxFriends in the summer of 2023, another coliving operator, accelerated this growth.

But for the founder it is not necessarily about numbers.

“Our core is community building. Around 1/3 of our residents actively choose shared living not for the price, but for the people. It is important to match tenants and create communities that work. Compatibility really matters to maintain the right dynamics.”

New tenants receive an induction into Luxembourgish lifestyle and traditions, from guidelines on recycling to Luxembourg’s noise laws, suggestions on events and what’s happening in Luxembourg to community-driven events like hiking and after-work drinks. “At the heart of it we want to make sure that our tenants feel at home. In a way that’s our real job. It makes business sense, increases brand loyalty and businesses profit from higher staff retention since new arrivals make Luxembourg their long-term home.”

Challenges, Crises, and Resilience

The journey hasn’t been smooth cruising only. Vauban&Fort weathered the Covid-19 pandemic, which was followed by an energy crisis, not forgetting the mortgage crisis, which put owners under pressure, all while guaranteeing owners long-term rental returns. “During Covid, we didn’t just survive—we had to double down. We installed home offices in every room and invested heavily in a period of insecurity. But, in the end, our community model paid off and kept people sane.”

The creation of a professional maintenance company was a game-changer. Starting with one technician in 2019, the company now has a full in-house maintenance team: “Small things like a faulty handle or issue with a lock to hot water issues —these really matter. We needed more speed, quality and quicker responsiveness and could no longer depend on outside contractors.”

Energy efficiency and cost transparency became a key priority post 2020: “Prices for electricity and gas went up by 39-135% over the course of a couple of months. We had to teach people to consume more responsibly. Lowering the utility cost for our tenants was super important and not an easy task as it also involved trying to change people’s habits.”

Plug-and-play model

At its core, Vauban&Fort is a property management company. Owners hand over the keys and the company guarantees long-term rent, manages all cleaning and maintenance and adds a property manager. “We’re a plug-and-play model. All things are taken care of and owners can travel the world while we maintain their assets.”

For tenants it should be a flexible, frictionless living experience. The minimum stay is five months but many stay much longer and some for a couple of years: “If someone changes jobs and wants to move from Limpertsberg to Cloche d’Or, upgrade or downgrade their room — we make this happen, too.”

With offerings ranging from value for money to premium or luxury rooms, some even with a jacuzzi or steamroom, Vauban&Fort appeals to a diverse audience, primarily young international professionals aged 22 to 42.

The future of living in Luxembourg

Jerome is clear: coliving is not a trend—it’s a necessity for Luxembourg’s economy. “Each year, thousands of talented professionals arrive here. If they can’t find a housing option that matches their needs, they won’t stay. Coliving is essential to keep Luxembourg competitive and make it an attractive choice. Landing a good job and finding an attractive place to live go hand in hand. One without the other does not work.”

Advice to young entrepreneurs

“Start with vision. Not money. If your product improves people’s lives, the money will follow. But in Luxembourg, perseverance is key. It’s a conservative market. Many people will tell you it’s impossible. You must believe more than anyone else that it can and will be done.”

As Vauban&Fort continues to grow, Jerome remains true to his original concept: building homes that feel like home—and, along the way, helping to offer attractive housing solutions to international talent and shaping the coliving market.