Post – Covid Residential Amenities…
As virus concerns and lockdowns prevented people from leaving their homes, many – if not most people – began to work remotely for the first time. As a result, apartments with flexible spaces and livable amenities became lifesavers for those who had them, and highly sought after by those who didn’t.
While the worst is most likely over, some things will return to ‘normal’, but many changes that happened will have lasting impacts on the way we live and work. People will seek clean and healthy environments in which to live, and for a significant portion of the population, remote work is here to stay. This creates a new paradigm for apartment development in urban areas, where the home is no longer just a place to eat and sleep, but rather a flexible space in which residents can work, play, entertain, and relax.
The result is one of the few positive effects of Covid. There are amenities, apartment features, and a new way of life that we learned we really enjoyed and want to keep.
Owners and developers of multifamily buildings can respond to this shift in the priorities of residents by developing projects or implementing value-add strategies focusing on providing flexible, multi-use spaces, and a robust set of building features and amenities. Like a new menu of options and features, there are strategies we can begin to implement. These concepts create a better living space for our residents and add value to our assets.
Space Strategies:
- Flexible interiors to manage the new remote work environment. Including sliding doors and moving walls that can close off or open up certain spaces for working as needed
- Addition co-working spaces in the building exclusive to residents, including conference areas, private working stations, and better Wi-Fi.
- Addition of comfortable, affordable, furnished micro-apartments and co-living units
- Using hidden spaces for work / home separation and more efficient home offices
- Include private outdoor space for every household, such as balconies, terraces and rooftop decks.
- The design of more comfortable kitchens, utilizing modern appliances and enhancing seating areas / shared living spaces
Building Features
- Touchless entry systems
- Sanitized entryways
- Package lockers
- Air purification with HEPA filtration
- Communal garden beds
- Outdoor kitchens
By responding to the newest trends and market demands for flexible, safe, and engaging apartments, owners can strengthen their buildings’ positions within the new economy and prepare their assets for a swift and robust recovery to peak rental rates.