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Amenities That Are No Longer — Amenities
Plenty has been written about the so-called “amenity wars.” Apartment developers and owners are doing what they can to offer extras, in an effort to lure renters to their properties. While this is fine for the newer multifamily properties, it can be problematic among older assets seeking to attract new renters.
For instance, indoor pools, which were once the rage, are no longer interesting — though outdoor pools continue to be popular. A recent article in Multifamily Executive told the story of apartment REIT UDR’s hire of interior design firm Linowes Design Associates. The firm was retained to transform an indoor swimming pool topping Del Ray Tower in Alexandria, VA, as that pool had fallen out of favor. Said Linowes’ Elyse Linowes: “Indoor pools are not getting as much use as they had years ago, and can be a maintenance nightmare.” Del Ray Tower space was eventually transformed into a sky lounge.
Other amenities on the to-go list include:
- Racquetball courts. While a staple in 1970s and 1980s apartments, people no longer use them, or care about them.
- Laundry rooms. The trend is more toward in-unit washers and dryers — in other words, convenience.
- Tanning booths/rooms. People would rather be outside; outdoor tanning decks, next to pools, are popular.
Meanwhile, dog parks and grilling areas continue to be must-haves, as do package delivery lockers. And, what remains truly important is the fitness center.
“Everybody that tours your property is going to want to see that you have a fitness center, even though only 10% of people will actually use it,” the National Apartment Association’s Amy Groff told Multifamily Executive. “It’s at the top of the line, as a deal-breaker goes.”
Pictured: Del Ray Tower, Alexandria, VA
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