Wednesday, 10 March 2021 / Published in Base4

Developers: Amenities to include in your 2021 projects

Reading Time: 4 minutes

The world of multifamily amenities has significantly changed in the past year and renters are willing to pay more if it means living in a unit that has premium amenities and upgrades that make their day-to-day lives easier and more enjoyable. In a Schlage and Wakefield Research survey of 1,000 U.S. multifamily renters, 86% of millennials say they are willing to pay one-fifth more for a smart apartment.

Current and potential residents want amenities that cater to and cultivate their way of life—on demand.

What Are Apartment Amenities?

Apartment amenities are non-essential features that bring added value, luxury, and convenience to residents. Amenities, such as in-unit laundry and patio spaces, make a building or unit unique and marketable.

Amenities are gaining popularity, with properties battling to provide the most innovative and appealing amenity packages. Some of the hottest offerings include fitness centers being reimagined as virtual or outdoor services, the addition of outdoor spaces, and provision of multi-purpose flex space.

In-Unit vs. Community Amenities

Multifamily buildings have in-unit and communal amenities. In-unit amenities include everything found in a specific apartment unit, such as walk-in pantries. Communal amenities, like pools and fitness rooms, are found in common areas and are designed for shared use for all residents to enjoy.

The amenities residents want!

Dog parks and dog bathrooms: Parks and washrooms to bathe pets are becoming increasingly popular among tenants.
Bike parking stations/storage: With outdoor exercise becoming a way to stay active at a distance, amenities for cycling are a popular addition to multifamily buildings.
Meeting rooms: These can be useful for people working from home who need a space to meet with their clients without bringing them into the apartment.
Business centers: People might need more office space (with proper distance) to work from their laptops, especially in micro-unit complexes where you don’t have space in your apartment to have a desk.
Smart devices: Technology like smart locks and smart lights are becoming increasingly popular and provide home management from tenants’ phones and devices.
Laundry rooms: Laundry space is a must-have. Depending on budgets, laundry rooms can be in-unit or communal.
Walk-in pantries & storage: The pandemic left everyone wanting larger storage spaces for food and supplies for longer stay-at-home routines.

Residents are looking for units that offer flexible space that meets the needs of both living and working from home. These types of design changes need to consider the tenant’s health, safety, and comfort while helping maintain the attractiveness of apartment living.

Help Me Choose the Right Amenities

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