The Urban Woods

What The Urban Woods does

The Urban Woods is a Dutch sustainable housing company founded in 2023 by tech entrepreneur Sebastian Monteban and architect Tim Vermeend, headquartered in Groningen, the Netherlands, and operating as The Urban Woods B.V. The company develops and operates modular timber residential buildings under a flexible housing subscription model, replacing traditional leases with adjustable monthly subscriptions that include shared amenities (gym, rooftop gardens, co-working spaces, guest rooms) and per-use add-ons (e-bike, office space, storage, cleaning). Its first location in Delft opened in June 2026 with 102 apartments spread across a 10-story, 31-meter timber building — the highest wooden residential building in the Netherlands without a concrete core — housing 150 residents from 40 countries.

The core technology stack centers on C-CLT (Circular Cross Laminated Timber), a patented construction plate made from ash wood, waste wood, and old pallets, developed in collaboration with TNO, Staatsbosbeheer, DZB Leiden, Wood Joint, and BoerBoom. C-CLT is reported to be 10-15% stronger than traditional CLT and is fully circular — 85% of building materials are reusable at end of life, with 50% biobased. Buildings integrate ground-source heat pumps, solar panels, heat recovery, smart sensor networks, and a proprietary WoodsApp that handles subscription management, add-on booking, real-time energy tracking, and building access. Construction uses a systematic repetitive method that is 30% faster than traditional methods and is nitrogen-free, addressing Dutch permitting constraints.

The business model is direct-to-consumer: prospective residents register online via Typeform, complete income verification, attend a meet-and-greet, and finalize enrollment with zero activation costs. Pricing ranges from €1,296 to €1,700 per month for base rent across seven apartment types (The Treehouse, Greenhouse, Birdhouse, House of Light, Moon Palace, Castle in the Clouds, House of Dreams) at 39–65 m², with service costs of ~€120/month including WiFi. The company targets urban millennials and young professionals (single or two-person households, ages 25-40) seeking flexible, community-oriented sustainable housing. Geographic expansion is planned across five Dutch cities — Delft (operational), Deventer (design phase), Amsterdam, Groningen, and Zwolle.

Name

The Urban Woods

Legal name

The Urban Woods B.V.

Website

https://theurbanwoods.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2023

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Urban Woods operates modular timber residential buildings under a flexible subscription model in the Netherlands. It develops C-CLT construction material from waste wood and serves urban millennials seeking sustainable, community-oriented housing with shared amenities and digital management via its WoodsApp.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Residential Housing Subscription

NAICS

New Multifamily Housing Construction (except For-Sale Builders) (236116), Residential Building Construction (2361), Lessors of Residential Buildings and Dwellings (53111)

SIC

Prefabricated Wood Bldgs & Components (2452), General Bldg Contractors - Residential Bldgs (1520)

akta.pro primary industry

Residential Modular & Prefabricated Home Construction (IMAFABAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

CLT (Cross-Laminated Timber) Manufacturing (IMAMACAF), Build-to-Rent (BTR) Community Management (BPAJAFAC), Residential Design-Build & Renovation-Integrated Builders (IMAFABAE), Mass Timber Panels & Components (DLT, NLT, Hybrid Panels) (IMAMACAG)

Keywords

• Modular timber housing
• Housing subscription service
• Circular construction
• Sustainable urban housing
• Adaptable apartments

Headquarters

HQ city

Groningen

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Housing Subscription: Monthly housing subscription combining rent, carpeting costs, and service costs. Residents can adjust their subscription with on-demand add-ons charged per hour or per day (e.g., e-bike, extra storage, office space, cleaning service). The subscription is for an indefinite period with monthly termination after the first year.
2. Shared Facilities Add-ons: Optional add-on services such as extra storage space, cleaning service, e-bike, additional office space, or guestroom access. Charged per hour or per day as usage-based extras on top of the base subscription.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Urban Woods designs, constructs, and operates modular timber residential buildings using proprietary C-CLT (Circular Cross Laminated Timber) made from waste wood and old pallets, and rents the apartments to residents through a flexible monthly housing subscription. Each subscription bundles rent, service costs, and access to shared facilities (gym, rooftop gardens, workspaces, laundry), and can be customized on demand with usage-based add-ons managed through the WoodsApp digital platform.

Product overview

The Urban Woods is a sustainable housing subscription platform offering modular, circular wooden apartments combined with shared facilities and a digital management system (WoodsApp). The core offering is a housing subscription model that replaces traditional renting with flexible, adjustable subscriptions. Residents choose from various apartment types (The Treehouse, The Greenhouse, The Birdhouse, The House of Light, The Moon Palace, The Castle in the Clouds, The House of Dreams) at different locations (Delft, Deventer, Amsterdam, Groningen, Zwolle), access shared facilities (gym, hot tub, rooftop gardens, work spaces), and customize their experience with optional add-ons via WoodsApp. The system integrates sustainable building (CLT wooden construction, C-CLT from waste wood), energy management, and community features into a unified housing experience.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Housing Subscription (Rent 2.0) A flexible monthly housing subscription combining rent, service costs, and access to shared facilities. Residents can upgrade their subscription on demand through the WoodsApp and terminate with monthly notice after the first year. Targeted at urban millennials and young professionals in the Netherlands.
• WoodsApp Proprietary digital platform enabling residents to manage their subscription, choose add-ons, sign up for events, book spaces, track real-time energy usage, and access building services.
• The Treehouse (apartment type) Two-room unfurnished apartment of 42 m² with 1-2 balconies and access to 350 m² shared area; priced from €1,310/month excluding service costs.
• The Greenhouse (apartment type) Two-room unfurnished apartment of 41-43 m² with balcony and access to 350 m² shared area; priced €1,305-€1,320/month excluding service costs.
• The Birdhouse (apartment type) Two-room unfurnished apartment of 39-42 m² with balcony and access to 350 m² shared area; priced €1,296-€1,310/month excluding service costs.
• The House of Light (apartment type) Two-room unfurnished apartment of 59-60 m² with supersize sundeck and access to 350 m² shared area; priced €1,550-€1,600/month excluding service costs.
• The Moon Palace (apartment type) Three-room unfurnished apartment of 61 m² with large sundeck and access to 350 m² shared area; priced €1,600/month excluding service costs.
• The Castle in the Clouds (apartment type) Three-room unfurnished apartment of 63-65 m² with balcony and access to 350 m² shared area; priced €1,650-€1,700/month excluding service costs.
• The House of Dreams (apartment type) Three-room unfurnished apartment of 60-63 m² with 2 balconies and access to 350 m² shared area; priced €1,600-€1,650/month excluding service costs.
• The Guesthouse On-site hotel facility with two fully equipped luxury rooms, fresh linen, and private bathrooms. Two nights per year included in the housing subscription; additional nights available as a paid add-on for residents' guests.
• Subscription Add-ons Optional extras available on demand to upgrade the housing subscription, including extra storage space, e-bike, cleaning service, additional office space, and guest room nights; charged per hour or per day.
• Shared Facilities Included amenities available to all residents: gym, hot tub, rooftop gardens, work spaces (The Work World), coffee corner, laundry (The Cleanest Room), lounge areas, book nook (Among The Leaves), and indoor bike parking.

Quantifiable outcome

• 85% of building materials are reusable at end of lifecycle
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• StaatsbosbeheercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 June 2024Selects ash wood (non-coniferous, deciduous) from their Dutch forests for the C-CLT production. Provides sustainably sourced local wood as the primary raw material for the world's first circular CLT construction plates made from waste wood.
• DZB LeidencoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 June 2024Social development company that prepares and processes waste wood from waste streams (including discarded pallets and demolition wood) for use in C-CLT production.
• Wood JointcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 June 2024Performs finger-jointing of planks as part of the C-CLT production process, preparing wood segments for the circular cross-laminated timber panels.
• BoerBoomcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 June 2024Manufactures the solid wood panels (C-CLT) from finger-jointed planks, producing the structural construction plates used in The Urban Woods buildings.
• TNO (Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 June 2024Conducts research on metal detection in recycled wood, bonding techniques, and strength classification for C-CLT panels. Provides scientific validation and quality assurance for the innovative construction material.
• ArcadismajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 June 2024Engineering and design consultancy serving as structural engineer for The Urban Woods Delft project. Designer Meint Smith contributed to the innovative timber construction and stability system design.
• Urban Climate ArchitectscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 June 2024Architecture firm led by Tim Vermeend (co-founder) specializing in bio-based timber construction. Designs The Urban Woods buildings applying 20+ years of timber construction expertise.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• AM (Amvest): Dutch housing corporation and developer focused on mid-market and affordable rental housing. Comparable on Dutch mid-market rental target demographic and BTR operations, though without timber construction specialization.

Broad incumbents

• Heijmans: Major Dutch listed construction and residential developer with sustainability-focused housing projects. Comparable on Dutch residential development and ESG positioning, but operates as a large diversified contractor rather than a single-material specialist.
• Binderholz: Austrian family-owned leader in CLT and mass timber production. Comparable on engineered wood panel manufacturing and European CLT market context, but operates as a B2B supplier rather than a residential operator.
• BPD (Bouwfonds Property Development): Large Dutch residential area developer owned by Rabobank. Comparable on Dutch residential development pipeline and municipality partnerships, but at significantly larger scale and with conventional construction methods.
• Bouwinvest: Dutch institutional investor in residential real estate including mid-market rental. Comparable on Dutch BTR investment thesis and target tenant demographic, but operates as a fund manager rather than a builder-operator.
• Stora Enso: European leader in mass timber including CLT panels. Comparable as a C-CLT-adjacent engineered wood manufacturer; overlaps in CLT supply chain, but at industrial scale and as a materials supplier rather than residential operator.
• Vesteda: Largest Dutch institutional residential investor and BTR operator. Comparable on Dutch mid-market rental housing and BTR community management, but operates at significantly larger scale with a traditional rather than timber/circular construction approach.

Others

• Arcadis: Global engineering and design consultancy that is already Urban Woods' structural engineer. Comparable as an enabler of innovative timber construction, not a competitor; relevant for benchmarking the broader ecosystem supporting circular timber development.

Direct peers

• Finch Buildings: Dutch modular timber housing developer building factory-produced wood homes for Dutch housing corporations and developers. Directly comparable on modular timber construction methodology, Dutch geography, and mid-market residential focus.
• Boelens de Groot: Dutch residential developer focused on sustainable, modular, and circular housing. Closely comparable on circular construction principles, Dutch geography, and small-team developer profile.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInnl.linkedin.com/company/theurbanwoods
• Instagraminstagram.com/urbanwoodsofficial

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Urban Woods