Early results from the 2021 “Multifamily Amenities Survey” from MULTIFAMILY Design+Construction show that the majority of respondents – multifamily developers, apartment operators, architects, contractors, and others in the apartment/condominium sector – either modified their amenities, added new ones, implemented amenity innovations, or took out some amenities from their customary offerings – all in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We’re taking Covid seriously in all aspects,” said one respondent. Another said, “We’re rethinking and reimagining amenities packages to be safer and healthier.”
Multifamily housing owner/operators reported having to close recreation facilities due to the pandemic – a sore point for many residents who love their fitness centers, pools, and hospitality areas. One developer noted the burden of “increased cost for cleaning/maintenance.” Another said their company was able to reopen its swimming pools after temporary closure, but with reduced capacity. Apartment property managers have had to temporarily close dog parks, outdoor grilles and kitchens, and children’s playgrounds, depending on local Covid directives.
But a significant chunk of respondents said they’re sticking with what they’ve always provided. As one respondent put it, “We have not cut back the usual high-quality amenities as we feel the long view will be back.”
Yet many respondents expressed concerns about the long-term effect of the Covid-19 pandemic on their properties in the future. “Since Covid, customers want more from their home,” said a respondent. “They need more places for children to learn and more places for them to work from home. This creates a need for more technological advancement.”
GET ALL THE DATA FROM OUR 3 AMENITIES SURVEYS
This is the 3rd biannual Amenities Survey sponsored by MULTIFAMILY Design+Construction and its sibling publication, Building Design+Construction. This year's survey measures 124 amenities data points. In the final report, the results of the 2021 survey will be compared to the data from the 2017 and 2019 Amenities Surveys.
The survey is open to Multifamily developers, property managers, architects/designers, and builder/contractors. Those who complete the survey will receive a comprehensive PDF report comparing the data from all 3 surveys before anyone else gets the data. (Non-respondents will have wait for publication and register online to get the PDF report.) Click here to get started.
SPACE PLANNING AND ALLOCATION ON THEIR MINDS
Responses from just the first week show that multifamily real estate, design, and construction professionals are struggling with how to deal with planning and space allocation as a result of the pandemic.
“We have added work-from-home spaces within unit plans as well as additional small gathering spaces in amenity areas,” said one respondent. Another said “individual work pod rooms for residents working from home but don't want to be in their residential units” was a priority.
Yet another said “the latest client request” has been to introduce a shared work space room with individual work pods and a lounge area with coffee/drink station.
“We moved furniture and equipment to meet social distancing requirements,” a respondent replied. Another added acrylic screens at reception desks in its properties.
One respondent’s company is “paying more attention to materials and furniture, fixtures, and other products that are easily cleanable.” Another has been installing air purification systems as a retrofit in amenity spaces and elevator areas.
BIGGEST CONCERN: DEALING WITH WORK FROM HOME
Many respondents reported efforts to respond to the skyrocketing work-from-home demand, such as:
- In-residence work nooks
- Privatized work/study spaces on each floor to serve work from home
- Outdoor workstations
- Larger apartment unit sizes to accommodate work from home
- Isolation rooms for shared living units
Others have installed outdoor fitness options, placed sanitizing stations around their communities, and added touchless access controls. ICovid instructional signage in shared areas, third-party resident virtual events, and hands-free entry doors at the clubhouse and on fixtures in common area bathrooms were among other actions taken by respondents.
One developer, whose current projects were still in the design development phase, was able to change the design to add exterior balconies and in-home work nooks for every apartment.
One developer was considering “multiple smaller social spaces rather than one large gathering area, and more individual small-group breakout areas.” Another said future developments would “disperse amenities throughout the project rather than in one mega-amenity,” and put more investment in outdoor spaces.
As one respondent concluded, “We believe many [occupiers] will continue to work from home at least part time after the pandemic, so we’re recommending more communal working space, such as coworking with private spaces."
COVID-RELATED AMENITIES NOT THE WHOLE STORY
Many respondents had introduced other new offerings in their amenity packages in the last two years, notably:
- Rooftop track/walking path
- Free Wi-Fi
- Dog-friendly streetscapes
- Rooftop off-leash dog park
- Picnic gazebo
- Rock climbing
- Pickleball courts (see “Pickleball, anyone?”)
Among the more interesting and unusual amenity upgrades cited:
- Senior in-house medical space
- Hydroponic farm/aquaculture
- Food truck
- Circadian lighting
Individual developments added art spaces, galleries, music practice rooms, and chess tables.
TECHNOLOGY IMPROVEMENTS OF INTEREST, TOO
Some survey respondents said they were “addressing the need to provide increased electrical power needs to individual units" – perhaps yet another response to the work-from-home phenomenon.
Others added extra electrical for charging cellphones and laptops outside, as residents choose to work outdoors as much as possible.
Several multifamily housing firms also added electric vehicle charging outlets in their garages.
Some property managers apparently were keen to make renters more aware of their utility usage, by installing water and electricity meters in individual living units.
Security upgrades and better package management systems were also on the list of technological improvements.
DON’T WAIT – START THE SURVEY NOW!
The survey is open for your input. Click here to get started.
Related Stories
| Nov 3, 2010
Rotating atriums give Riyadh’s first Hilton an unusual twist
Goettsch Partners, in collaboration with Omrania & Associates (architect of record) and David Wrenn Interiors (interior designer), is serving as design architect for the five-star, 900-key Hilton Riyadh.
| Nov 1, 2010
Sustainable, mixed-income housing to revitalize community
The $41 million Arlington Grove mixed-use development in St. Louis is viewed as a major step in revitalizing the community. Developed by McCormack Baron Salazar with KAI Design & Build (architect, MEP, GC), the project will add 112 new and renovated mixed-income rental units (market rate, low-income, and public housing) totaling 162,000 sf, plus 5,000 sf of commercial/retail space.
| Nov 1, 2010
Vancouver’s former Olympic Village shoots for Gold
The first tenants of the Millennium Water development in Vancouver, B.C., were Olympic athletes competing in the 2010 Winter Games. Now the former Olympic Village, located on a 17-acre brownfield site, is being transformed into a residential neighborhood targeting LEED ND Gold. The buildings are expected to consume 30-70% less energy than comparable structures.
| Oct 13, 2010
Apartment complex will offer affordable green housing
Urban Housing Communities, KTGY Group, and the City of Big Bear Lake (Calif.) Improvement Agency are collaborating on The Crossings at Big Bear Lake, the first apartment complex in the city to offer residents affordable, eco-friendly homes. KTGY designed 28 two-bedroom, two-story townhomes and 14 three-bedroom, single-story flats, averaging 1,100 sf each.
| Oct 13, 2010
Residences bring students, faculty together in the Middle East
A new residence complex is in design for United Arab Emirates University in Al Ain, UAE, near Abu Dhabi. Plans for the 120-acre mixed-use development include 710 clustered townhomes and apartments for students and faculty and common areas for community activities.
| Oct 13, 2010
Community center under way in NYC seeks LEED Platinum
A curving, 550-foot-long glass arcade dubbed the “Wall of Light” is the standout architectural and sustainable feature of the Battery Park City Community Center, a 60,000-sf complex located in a two-tower residential Lower Manhattan complex. Hanrahan Meyers Architects designed the glass arcade to act as a passive energy system, bringing natural light into all interior spaces.
| Oct 12, 2010
The Watch Factory, Waltham, Mass.
27th Annual Reconstruction Awards — Gold Award. When the Boston Watch Company opened its factory in 1854 on the banks of the Charles River in Waltham, Mass., the area was far enough away from the dust, dirt, and grime of Boston to safely assemble delicate watch parts.
| Sep 13, 2010
Richmond living/learning complex targets LEED Silver
The 162,000-sf living/learning complex includes a residence hall with 122 units for 459 students with a study center on the ground level and communal and study spaces on each of the residential levels. The project is targeting LEED Silver.
| Sep 13, 2010
Committed to the Core
How a forward-looking city government, a growth-minded university, a developer with vision, and a determined Building Team are breathing life into downtown Phoenix.
