Development

Hospitality done differently

Combining soulful experiences with over 25 years of real-estate development expertise, our in-house Development Studio is shaping a future-facing approach to hospitality.

edyn Development Studio 

We have a deep understanding of the modern traveller, brought to life through a multi-disciplinary skillset. The product? A suite of boundary-pushing hybrid aparthotels and serviced apartments to suit their needs.

Our multinational portfolio

From ground-up builds to conversions and refurbishments, our Development Studio has brought to life 33 properties – and counting - under our Locke, Cove and SACO brands across the UK and Europe.

Here's what's coming next

We want to develop and operate unique and distinctively designed properties, firmly rooted in their local neighbourhoods, in every gateway city across Europe. In the next few years, we’ll make that a reality – with plenty of developments underway. Lisbon, Paris, Copenhagen - see you soon.

Locke at East Side Gallery, Berlin

Opening July 2023
Mühenstraße, Friedrichshain, Berlin
176 apartments

Ember Locke, London

Opening June 2023
Cromwell Road, Kensington, London
121 apartments

Locke De Santa Joana, Avenida Da Liberdade

Opening Spring 2024
Rua Santa Marta, Lisbon
368 apartments

Karsten Locke, Copenhagen

Opening Spring 2024
Postbyen, Copenhagen
236 apartments

Locke am Platz, Zurich

Opening November 2023
Enge, Zurich, Switzerland
80 apartments

the cities we'd like to call home

Our dream is to bring soulful hospitality to travellers everywhere, but these are the cities we've currently got our eye on. Want to get involved?

Austria

Target cities:
Vienna

Germany

Target cities:
- Hamburg, Dusseldorf, Cologne, Frankfurt

Portugal

Target cities:
- Lisbon

Spain

Target cities:
Barcelona, Madrid

Sweden

Target cities:
- Stockholm

Italy

Target cities:
- Rome, Milan

France

Target cities:
- Paris

Switzerland

Target cities:
- Geneva, Zurich

We'd make a great team

Why partner with us?

We take care of it all. We control acquisition, financing and legals, and design and development and have built a lean in-house team supported by outsourced experts and partners. 

We look to the future. Our operational delivery model is industry-leading, prioritising guest needs and leveraging the efficiency, scale and expertise of our central hub. We move quickly, scaling spend across properties and countries.

We host longer stays. 60% of our stays are longer than 7 nights, giving us a competitive advantage and a higher profit margin than a traditional hotel model.

We bring a broad crowd. Our versatile properties cater to diverse customer needs with living spaces, kitchens, and immersive social spaces featuring destination F&B, cultural programming and co-working areas. As a result, we attract business and leisure, short and long-term travellers.

We’re resilient. Our hybrid model and adaptable product lets us flex to changing customer needs.

Our property must-haves 

Each of our brands - Locke, Cove and SACO - is unique, but each of our serviced apartments and aparthotels share certain signatures.

Between 50 and 260 rooms

Based in European gateway cities

Average room size of 25m2 to 35m2

Mix of studios and one-bed apartments (at least 20% studios) 

Ideally all rooms have kitchens

Perfect for stays of 7 to 28 nights 

Mid-to high-end design, fixtured and fittings

Behind-the-scenes spaces for staff, and extra spaces for guests to hang out

Get to know the Development Studio

Eric Jafari

Chief Development Officer

Eric Jafari

Chief Development Officer

Eric Jafari leads edyn’s pan-European real estate development platform and the broad creative direction of our brands, and was one of the original co-founders of Locke. His multi-disciplinary team comprises acquisitions, asset management, construction, design, investment finance & planning. Eric previously served as the Managing Director of Union Hanover Securities where he founded Urban Villa and oversaw a £500m Hotel development platform. Born in Los Angeles, raised in Paris but living in London, Eric’s would tell you that his nomadic nature and insatiable curiosity explain his passions which range from travel to food and wine, to wellness, learning and of course his family. We think he just enjoys ‘la dolce vita’.

Andrew Fowler

Aquisitions Director

Andrew Fowler

Aquisitions Director

Andrew Fowler oversees edyn’s Pan-European acquisitions team, focusing on both real estate & asset light investments and was one of the original co-founders of Locke. With Eric Jafari, he was previously co-founder of Union Hanover Securities and directed hotel operations and acquisitions at Urban Villa and was also a key player at StayCity in the early years when he led their acquisitions across Europe. Before he lost his good looks and joined the serviced apartment industry, Andrew was a property TV presenter in also a competitive sailor with the Irish Sailing Team. Andrew’s favourite drink is Bulletproof Coffee but only after practicing the Wim Hof technique.

Merzak Kaddour

Investment Director

Merzak Kaddour

Investment Director

Merzak Kaddour looks after edyn's property investment and funding requirements and leads the transaction process from analytics and appraisals to debt origination, execution and refinancing. With Eric and Andrew, Merzak was one of the three musketeers who co-founded Union Hanover Securities and Urban Villa and has also served as Director of Hotels & Leisure at Bank of Ireland and the Head of Hospitality and Leisure for National Australia Bank (UK) overseeing a £1.4 billion hospitality loan book. Merzak began his hospitality career as a management trainee with Trust House Forte Hotels. In his free time Merzak enjoys Pilates and walking the family dog.

Charles Cresser

Development Director

Charles Cresser

Development Director

As the group’s Development Director, Charles is tasked with overseeing the development & construction process. This includes technical due diligence at acquisition, planning/permitting, procurement, construction, project close out and handover. During his international career, Charles has delivered over £1bn of projects by value, priding himself on the disciplined execution of each asset. His previous roles include Director at Jones Lang LaSalle and Union Hanover Securities in addition to Project Manager at Mace and Currie & Brown. When Charles isn’t on site, he spends his time cycling and transporting his daughter around Greater London. During his time living in Russia, Charles expanded his cultural perspective and diplomacy, but mostly built an impressive ability to consume vodka. In addition to some interesting nicknames, he holds the titles MRICS and MCIOB.

edyn Journal

Introducing edyn - Creating sanctuaries where free-thinkers belong
Culture

Introducing edyn - Creating sanctuaries where free-thinkers belong

Welcome to the edyn Journal - Our journey together starts here
Culture News

Welcome to the edyn Journal - Our journey together starts here

Introducing Locke - This is your place
News

Introducing Locke - This is your place

Introducing Cove - For life in all modes
News

Introducing Cove - For life in all modes

Introducing SACO - Be a part of it
News

Introducing SACO - Be a part of it