A 40-Year-Old Government Chalet Has Been Transformed Into Singapore’s Largest Co-Living Resort

Locals and visitors will be able to enjoy a brand new resort-style co-living hotel in Pasir Ris later this month. The new retreat is called Coliwoo Resort Changi and it is located at 159 Jalan Loyang Besar, next to Pasir Ris Park and close to Downtown East.

With a land size more than 380,000 sq ft and 380 rooms, this is the largest hospitality project by mainboard-listed co-living operator Coliwoo and the home-grown brand has dramatically reimagined this 40-year-old property.

It has been a long time since a new hotel or resort experience has launched in Pasir Ris. For many Singaporeans this part of the East has been synonymous with chalets, parks, and recreational activities on land and sea.

Originally a government chalet built in the 1980s, the State-owned site was awarded to Coliwoo after it won a Price-Quality tender by the Singapore Land Authority in June 2025. The tender results indicated that the coliving operator submitted a monthly rental bid of $225,000 for a three year lease.

After a 10-month restoration, the new eco-conscious hotel features private studios and duplex maisonettes, aligned with new commercial spaces and an array of multi-purpose amenities. According to Coliwoo’s website, the types of rooms are:

• Superior Studios and Deluxe Studios with either one large or two single-sized beds
• Eastin Studios for families or groups, with a triple single bed set-up or one large and one single bed.
• Patio Studios with a private patio, with either one large or two single-sized beds
• Duplex Maisonettes with dedicated dining space on the ground floor and sleeping areas on the top floor.

Two more room types are also listed but are not available: a Premier Studio with either one large or two single-sized beds, as well as Poolview Queen Studios that come with a queen-sized bed and an ensuite bathroom.

Each of the air-conditioned units also come with a kitchenette, a washer-dryer, Internet access, digital door locks, and housekeeping services.

The refreshed interior design is inspired by some of the design elements typically seen in colonial-era black-and-white bungalows. This is incorporated through the black-and-white palette in communal and private living areas, which is juxtaposed against the greenery planted across the site.

Coliwoo certainly had its work cut out transforming the original chalets, which had fallen into a state of disuse when it took over the property, into its vision of a wellness-centric resort. The 10-month restoration process saw close to 40% of the existing landscape spruced up and restored.

Other elements that were also retained include the original terracotta clay tile roofs across the property’s buildings. Wherever possible, original features were upcycled, such as the old timber screens which are now used as toilet privacy screens, tabletops, benches, planter boxes, and feature walls.

But new energy-efficient and renewable energy components were also brought in, such as rainwater harvesting, food composting, and EV charging stations. The rooms are also fitted with energy-efficient light fittings, WELS-certified sanitary ware and fittings, and ceiling fans for assisted cooling to reduce air-conditioning dependency.

Meanwhile, most of the facilities at Coliwoo Resort Changi are geared towards wellness and recreation. Some of the facilities include:

• An aquatic & fitness centre: with an adult and kids pool, a Jacuzzi pool, a gym, and an outdoor sports court
• Social and community spaces like a co-working lounge, karaoke rooms, a kids playground, and outdoor event plazas
• Outdoor gardens and a community farming garden
• An on-site convenience shop and an F&B stall

Coliwoo also plans to offer a variety of wellness programmes and experiences, like yoga with sound healing, Gong Meditation, and Wellness Raves as an example of shared community experiences through uplifting music and movement.

The outdoor spaces will also host weekend BBQ socials, weekly guided runs through nearby Pasir Ris Park, and nature walks and cycling routes. The operator says that activities will also be planned for families during the school holidays.

Coliwoo says that its new resort-style co-living hotel could capitalise on its location in the East. It cites international students from the Singapore University of Technology and Design in Upper Changi, as well as air crew, leisure travellers, and corporate professionals who might find the co-living property appealing due to its relative proximity to Changi Ariport.

In general, co-living operators in Singapore have had to be creative in addressing the evolving accommodation needs and preferences of international business and leisure visitors coming to Singapore. Between hotels and serviced apartments, co-living operators have the greatest flexibility to cater to this segment more effectively. 

Coliwoo Resort Changi is the second time that Coliwoo has participated in a government land tender to reposition and revitalise existing State-owned assets. Last year it unveiled Coliwoo Bukit Timah Fire Station, a new lifestyle destination along Upper Bukit Timah road.

The local co-living operator already has plans to open another hotel property in Changi soon. In March this year, it acquired the former Park Avenue Changi at 2 Changi Business Park Avenue 1 for $101 million from ESR-REIT.