The Ascott Limited unveiled a travelling art showcase today, 16th October, in celebration of the fifth anniversary of its hospitality brand lyf. 

As part of its popular arts and culture brand pillar, lyf [an acronym for live your freedom] teamed up with contemporary Singaporean artist Jahan Loh to create a captivating art installation titled The Door of Cosmic Dreams. 

Symbolising a gateway to unchartered travel experiences, the art installation reflects lyf’s ambitions to venture into new spaces and destinations, highlighting the brand’s commitment to pushing boundaries and offering innovative experiences for guests.

The travelling showcase is a first-of-its-kind by a hospitality brand, and will enable lyf to bring its unique brand story of experience-led social living to guests and arts communities around the world. 

The Door of Cosmic Dreams is open free to the public at its inaugural stop, at the brand’s first property in the portfolio , lyf Funan Singapore, right in the heart of the country’s Civic District.

The travelling art showcase is the first-of-its-kind for a hospitality brand and supports lyf’s aspirations to engage with local communities where it operates, to build up its very own lyf tribe. 

Further exemplifying the brand pillar of arts and culture, lyf Collingwood Melbourne features over 1.5 square kilometres of custom artwork by contemporary artist Mysterious AI, whose work has been showcased across the globe. 

Over in the Philippines, lyf Cebu City features one of the biggest outdoor murals in the Philippines on their façade. Designed and painted by Cebuano artist Ivan Canencia and his team, the mural pays tribute to some of the key marine icons in Cebu: the thresher shark and sardine run.

A pioneer in Asia’s coliving sector keeps growing

Ascott growth officer Serena Lim said: “Since its inception as a coliving brand in Singapore in 2019, lyf has evolved from a bold vision into a global leader in experience-led social living. Aligned with Ascott’s flex-hybrid business model to provide guests with greater flexibility and freedom, lyf has transformed into a multifaceted hospitality experience across diverse typologies that include coliving spaces, city hotels and resorts.”

Today, the lyf brand covers 34 properties in 24 cities across Australia, East Asia, Europe and Southeast Asia, boasting over 6,200 units in operation and under development. 

This year, the brand is slated to open an additional five lyf properties with about 900 units in total, and mark the debut of the brand in three cities: Cebu, Frankfurt, and Penang. 

From 2025 to 2028, lyf also will begin operations in several new destinations, including resort locations like Bali and Danang, as well as major cities like London, Glasgow, Manchester, Sydney, Paris, and Ho Chi Minh City.

A distinctive hospitality experience

Lyf’s managing partner and Ascott vice-president for business development Adeline Phua said: “lyf offers a distinctive accommodation experience designed for a social generation eager to connect within a community. By transcending traditional hospitality concepts, lyf has created a vibrant stay-work-play environment that fosters a new way of social living.”

Phua added that as lyf celebrates its fifth anniversary, the brand’s partnership with artist Jahan Loh marks the first of many collaborations with influential tastemakers. Such partnerships aim to deepen lyf’s engagement with communities around the world. 

Mirroring lyf’s commitment to staying ahead of the curve, The Door of Cosmic Dreams art installation beautifully embodies the theme of redefining possibilities. 

Phua said: “As we embark on a new chapter for lyf, we remain dedicated to providing innovative social living experiences that meet the aspirations and evolving needs of our guests.”