When it comes to multifamily amenities, the “basics”—a fitness center, club room—are on their way out. What essentials are coming through to mark the features of the future?
According to market research by Joe Duffus, CEO of Builders Design, and Justin Bucy, director at Housing Design Matters, the answer may come from an unlikely yet comparable place: hospitality. During their presentation at the 2023 International Builders’ Show, Duffus and Bucy shared some areas where multifamily amenities are getting a hospitable influence.
Multifamily Taking Cues from Hospitality
Hotels and resorts are often associated with the amenities they provide, and as the years go on, those amenities are getting a modern finish. So what does the next generation of multifamily amenities look like?
Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity
Surprising to no one, smart technology home integrations are becoming the norm. When it comes to multifamily housing, there are unique ways smart tech is being integrated into residents’ lives.
Entrance tech is something we’re seeing in more modern hotels and multifamily complexes. People are able to enter their unit via smart phone or watch—and the technology doubles as added security for lobby entrance as well. (I’ve even seen elevators that restrict access to rooftop patios and fitness center floors unless a resident’s smartphone “key” is scanned).
Another way smart tech is being used to reinvent the tenant experience is through smart health monitoring systems. In-unit devices allow residents to measure, monitor, and track their body changes and make recommendations for better health.
Adopting sustainable practices to reduce building carbon emissions
According to 2022 data from StartUs Insights, materials that are sustainable are the top trend/innovation of the year—followed by nanotechnology and responsive (smart) materials.
Robotics
Some research suggests that implementing human-like robotics in hospitality can increase consumer satisfaction. We’re seeing that, when service robots are used in the hospitality industry, menial tasks like food and luggage delivery are the best use cases. Let the robots deal with mechanical and analytical tasks, while humans handle emotional ones.
In multifamily, this can be seen in automated cleaning robots for communal or private spaces. Other properties have placed humanoid robots in the lobby, acting as part leasing agent, part community manager.
Personalization
Demographic-driven features can help tenants feel at home. For example, some 55+ developments have begun implementing full-time in-house Physicians Assistants, Duffus finds. These specialized markets benefit from devoting square footage to a permanent health station for blood pressure checks and vaccine administration.
Builders Design is seeing a growing trend in added convenience market/community grocery stores as well. What Duffus views as the “natural next step of the corner store,” ground-level markets act as an open door for communities and an additional revenue stream for the property. The convenience service entices those who enjoy having everything they need in one building.
Internet marketing to achieve maximum satisfaction
So, your development has all these great amenities and features; what are you doing to pull people in? Here are some helpful internet strategies for your property:
- Publish quality photos of your properties
- Include helpful information about your properties
- Develop a Q&A strategy
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