flexiblefullpage -
billboard - default
interstitial1 - interstitial
catfish1 - bottom
Currently Reading

Multifamily developers, designers cater to occupants’ need for mobility

Multifamily Housing

Multifamily developers, designers cater to occupants’ need for mobility

Bike storage facilities and “bicycle kitchens” are among the most popular mobility amenities in multifamily developments, according to a new survey by Multifamily Design + Construction magazine.


By Robert Cassidy, Executive Editor | August 9, 2017
Bicycle storage facility

Wikimedia Commons

Mobility, whether on two wheels, four wheels, or more, is on the minds of multifamily developers and designers, according to a recent survey of 215 architects, designers, builders, and developers in the U.S./Canada multifamily construction sector, by Multifamily Design + Construction, a BD+C sister publication. 

The need of bicyclists for secure storage is being met by two-thirds of respondents (66.5%); about one-third (31.7%) are providing repair and maintenance services in so-called “bicycle kitchens,” while one-fifth (20.4%) said they’re offering bike sharing. A similar cluster (19.0%) said they’re providing car-share services (e.g., Zipcar).

A remarkable number of respondents (17.6%) said they have created waiting areas for shared-rise services (Uber, Lyft), but these may just lobbies or other weather-protected areas. 

A substantial group, about two-fifths (39.4%), have built “within a short walk” of bus or rail transit.

Look for the full report in the Fall (October) issue of Multifamily Design+Construction.
 
Mobility amenities in multifamily developments: 
Bicycle Storage (secured): 66.5%
Electric Vehicle Charging Station: 42.0%
Transit Access: 39.4%
Bicycle Repair/Maintenance: 31.7%
Bicycle Sharing: 20.4%
Source: Multifamily Design + Construction Reader Survey, June-July 2017

Related Stories

Transit Facilities | Dec 4, 2023

6 guideposts for cities to create equitable transit-oriented developments

Austin, Texas, has developed an ETOD Policy Toolkit Study to make transit-oriented developments more equitable for current and future residents and businesses.

Multifamily Housing | Nov 30, 2023

A lasting housing impact: Gen-Z redefines multifamily living

Nathan Casteel, Design Leader, DLR Group, details what sets an apartment community apart for younger generations.

Products and Materials | Nov 30, 2023

Top building products for November 2023

BD+C Editors break down 15 of the top building products this month, from horizontal sliding windows to discreet indoor air infusers.

Engineers | Nov 27, 2023

Kimley-Horn eliminates the guesswork of electric vehicle charger site selection

Private businesses and governments can now choose their new electric vehicle (EV) charger locations with data-driven precision. Kimley-Horn, the national engineering, planning, and design consulting firm, today launched TREDLite EV, a cloud-based tool that helps organizations develop and optimize their EV charger deployment strategies based on the organization’s unique priorities.

MFPRO+ Blog | Nov 27, 2023

7 ways multifamily designers can promote wellness in urban communities

Shepley Bulfinch's Natalie Shutt-Banks, AIA, identifies design elements that multifamily developers can use to maximize space while creating a positive impact on residents and the planet

MFPRO+ New Projects | Nov 21, 2023

An 'eco-obsessed' multifamily housing project takes advantage of downtown Austin’s small lots

In downtown Austin, Tex., architecture firm McKinney York says it built Capitol Quarters to be “eco-obsessed, not just eco-minded.” With airtight walls, better insulation, and super-efficient VRF (variable refrigerant flow) systems, Capitol Quarters uses 30% less energy than other living spaces in Austin, according to a statement from McKinney York. 

MFPRO+ News | Nov 21, 2023

California building electrification laws could prompt more evictions and rent increases

California laws requiring apartment owners to ditch appliances that use fossil fuels could prompt more evictions and rent increases in the state, according to a report from the nonprofit Strategic Actions for a Just Economy. The law could spur more evictions if landlords undertake major renovations to comply with the electrification rule. 

MFPRO+ News | Nov 21, 2023

Underused strip malls offer great potential for conversions to residential use

Replacing moribund strip malls with multifamily housing could make a notable dent in the housing shortage and revitalize under-used properties across the country, according to a report from housing nonprofit Enterprise Community Partners.

MFPRO+ News | Nov 21, 2023

Renters value amenities that support a mobile, connected lifestyle

Multifamily renters prioritize features and amenities that reflect a mobile, connected lifestyle, according to the National Multifamily Housing Council (NMHC) and Grace Hill 2024 Renter Preferences Survey.

Sustainability | Nov 20, 2023

8 strategies for multifamily passive house design projects

Stantec's Brett Lambert, Principal of Architecture and Passive House Certified Consultant, uses the Northland Newton Development project to guide designers with eight tips for designing multifamily passive house projects.

boombox1 - default
boombox2 -
native1 -

More In Category

Mass Timber

Charlotte's new multifamily mid-rise will feature exposed mass timber

Construction recently kicked off for Oxbow, a multifamily community in Charlotte’s The Mill District. The $97.8 million project, consisting of 389 rental units and 14,300 sf of commercial space, sits on 4.3 acres that formerly housed four commercial buildings. The street-level retail is designed for boutiques, coffee shops, and other neighborhood services.




halfpage1 -

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021