6C — October 13 - 26, 2017 — Pennsylvania — Southeastern PA — M id A tlantic
Real Estate Journal
www.marejournal.com
S outheastern PA
By Richard Gacek, Gacek Design Group Trends in Amenity Design
T
here is no doubt we have evidenced growth and demand in the
the priority, since dedicated amenity spaces have dou- bled in size in the last five years. Both demographic target groups, Millennials and Baby Boomers, look for spaces that are experiential and offer a sense of com- munity. Popular amenities include the following: Bike storage and repair; Car-sharing ser- vice; Child-care, Concierge services; Cooking classes; Free WiFi; Internet Cafe; Package delivery manage- ment; Rock-climbing wall; Rooftop terrace; Spa with massage; Tech and business center; Yoga, aerobics, and wellness classes; Rooftop decks and terraces with com- fortable casual seating, sonic sound systems, big screen TVs, Kitchens with BBQ grills and pizza ovens. Please do not forget the Pets! Beyond a space for dogs to run, resi- dents are attracted to groom- ing stations, dog stations, even treadmills. Developers are continu- ing to introduce additional amenities that customize and personalize the renter’s expe- rience. Lofts with office space; Personalized laundry servic- es; Private elevators; Personal shopper; Outdoor cabanas are some recent, popular ameni- ties. There is also a trend towards technology-enhanced services that allow for moni- toring of lights, heating and cooling; as well as cloud con- nected devices. Keyless unit entry, in-wall USB outlets and even Bluetooth speaker showerheads. Another cen- tral preference is extending the indoor amenity spaces to the outside. Green spaces include resident gardens, rooftop lawns and sundecks with outdoor screens. With health and wellness playing an important role in the char- acteristics of both Millennials and Baby Boomers, active play and gaming areas for basketball, bocce ball to life- size chess and Jenga games are trending. The amenities featured is a key selling point. If the needs and wishes of the residents are top of mind, and are monitored through lifestyle trends, the result will be a competitive, successful and differentiated product. Richard Gacek is owner and principal designer at Gacek Design Group. n
It now includes an incremen- tal market who chooses to rent vs. own a home. Why? Consumers are interested in maintenance free living; and conveniences of concierge services. For Boomers, (who are more active and feel much younger than their counter- parts), they are attracted to the culture and lifestyle that urban living offers. For Mil- lennials who were influenced by the impact of the economic recession on family/friends, they do not necessarily view homeownership as the Ameri- can Dream.
With the increasing num- ber of products available, developers and designers are faced with staying ahead of the curve in order to attract as well as retain renters. They need to accommodate the discerning expectations of the market, since those that choose to rent will not want to sacrifice the comforts that they enjoyed in previous residences. Even Millenni- als prefer relevant indoor amenities, as well as close-by outdoor walkable amenities. Amenity spaces are becom- ing more like hotel lobbies
in grandeur and experience, while offering a home-like design as comfortable as a family room. Common spaces focus on connecting the “live – work – play” experience. So- cial Connectivity. Enhanced technology. Adaptable spaces that transform when taste changes. Research has shown that the amenities offered to renters have a direct correla- tion to retention - how long they rent, as well as their satisfaction levels with the building. Differentiation is essential and amenities are
luxury apart- ment market. We have also witnessed a transforma- tion in the target profile t o i n c l ud e two o f the strongest de-
Richard Gacek
mographic groups, Millennials and Baby Boomers. The renter profile today includes more than those without the finan- cial resources to own a home.
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