From WeWork to Urban Rest: Rajdeep Gahir Joins to Lead EMEA Growth

Urban Rest, a leading flexible accommodation provider reimagining the corporate stay experience, has appointed Rajdeep Gahir to lead its European expansion and strengthen its growing network. Backed by record portfolio growth and a tech-enabled model the business is well-positioned for Gahir’s success.

Founder and CEO of London-based co-living brand Vivahouse and real estate venture builder CoCreations, Gahir brings deep expertise across property, technology and operations. She has delivered multiple BtR, co-living and hotel projects in the UK, and previously led WeWork’s European launch—opening 20+ sites in just 20 months. 

“I’m thrilled to be joining Urban Rest to lead the real estate growth across EMEA”, said Gahir. “The business is at an exciting stage; operating in a market where serviced apartments are one of the most attractive asset classes to investors. I’m looking forward to strengthening our partnership with real estate owners and launching more incredible apartments together for our clients.”

Gahir joins a highly-experienced leadership team at Urban Rest, one committed to building one of the most dynamic accommodation brands designed around the changing needs of corporate travellers, remote professionals, and long-stay guests.

"Rajdeep brings exactly the kind of experience and perspective we need as we scale into Europe’s next chapter,” said Izabela Szumierz, Co-founder and European MD of Urban Rest. “We’ve already built a strong presence across London, and with Rajdeep on board, we’re ready to grow even faster with the support of our key property and BTR partners."

Founded in 2017, Urban Rest has doubled its portfolio every six months and now operates 800+ apartments across Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, and the United Kingdom. With ten properties in London and Ireland, and four more opening in 2025, the business is eyeing further expansion into Europe, where demand for flexible accommodation is growing. 

Urban Rest achieved record revenue growth, up 53% in 2024, driven by strategic growth in key markets and the agility of a tech-enabled model, delivering lower operating costs for investors and frictionless access for its corporate guests.

Furthermore, this model has attracted high-quality development partners, including Greystar, with whom Urban Rest continues to collaborate on new buildings across London. With BTR now making up 30% of all new homes in the city, the alignment between developers and flexible operators like Urban Rest is key to expansion. 

David Whelan, CEO of Urban Rest, said: “Our expansion strategy relies on more than just great design—it’s about forming the right partnerships, hiring the right talent, and scaling in a way that meets both guest and investor needs. Rajdeep is a standout leader with vast experience in all three of these areas."

Backed by a strong brand and growing global presence, Urban Rest is set to become the partner of choice for developers and asset owners seeking thoughtful, premium alternatives to traditional corporate accommodation.

Urban Rest is a leading provider of high-quality, flexible accommodation solutions, specialising in extended corporate stays. With a commitment to sustainability, guest wellbeing, and operational excellence, Urban Rest partners with developers and property owners, to deliver best-in-class accommodation experiences to blue-chip corporate clients in key global markets.