Probing Multifamily Amenities Insights

Amenities represent an essential draw for multifamily property owners. But what do residents want? What’s waiting in the wings?

To answer these and other questions, panelists shared their thoughts in a recent webinar entitled “Amenities Your Residents Will LOVE.” Hosted by WithMe’s Jonathan Treble (CEO and Founder) and Becky McLaughlin (Vice President of Marketing), the webinar’s participants discussed many topics like trending amenities, operational issues, what’s up and coming and resident feedback.

The Essentials

Features for Canine Friends

First, the panelists agreed that dog parks fell under the category of “essential amenities.” “Everyone loves their pets,” commented Deanna Coomer Pope, regional vice president at Bozzuto. “And I feel like a lot of our residents these days do have pets.”

Pope added that additional dog amenities at the company’s properties, like dog washes and mobile pet grooming stations – are “well received, all the time.”

Work-From-Home, But Not

Also high up on the list were business centers and/or co-working spaces. Noted Draper and Kramer General Manager and Assistant Vice President Kelli Stuart: “We’ve got a lot of those work-from-homers, and they need a place to go that’s at their home – but not in their home.”

Pope agreed, pointing out that an on-site working/business space has gone beyond a “nice-to-have” and is a “need-to-have.” “If COVID taught us anything, it’s that people now can be so remote,” she said. “I don’t see that going away, and I see more people also wanting to be out of their apartments.”

Connor Sauerbrey, leasing and marketing manager at Asset Living, pointed out that on-site business centers have been essential given the student focus of the organization’s properties. “Especially the printing aspect,” he pointed out. “Normally, on campus, you have to pay to print.”

Staying Fit and Healthy

Finally, fitness centers remain at the top of the residents’ list as an important amenity. “It doesn’t matter if it’s inside, just somewhere for them to stretch their feet and get moving,” Sauerbrey noted.

Furthermore, some of those fitness amenities have extra amenities. “We just placed an order for Peloton bikes,” Sauerbrey said. “We can upgrade our gyms a little bit.”

Speaking of which, other fitness area extras are starting to include cold plunges, saunas or salt rooms. “Anywhere that someone can feel they’re in a sanctuary, their home away from home,” Pope said. “They get to rejuvenate themselves.”

The Importance of Connectivity

The panelists said Wi-Fi is a “need-to-have” amenity, especially in shared spaces and roof decks.  Stuart pointed out that the Wi-Fi has to be reliable, and residents should have access to the password. Community areas, where people can connect, also remain a “must-have” on the apartment amenities list.

Up-and-Coming Amenities

The panelists had plenty to say about ” cool-to-have ” amenities that aren’t really essential. One of those involved recording studios. Commented Stuart: “Our residents are very talented. They’re self-starters and entrepreneurs,” with such on-site studios tapping into their passion.

Pope explained that one Buzzuto property in Nashville has a full-fledged music recording studio with piano and drums. Another property in Atlanta offers a podcast studio. “Every day, someone’s in there doing a live podcast,” she said. “That’s been really cool to watch.”

Thoughts About 2024

To conclude, panelists were asked about amenities and multifamily in the coming year. Pope suggested that studying the competition is essential. So is residential feedback. “Ultimately, they’re living in the building. If you have amenities that are truly focused on them, they will be used all the time,” she commented.

Saubrey and Stuart agreed, with the latter pointing out that older building owners shouldn’t be daunted by the newer ones coming out of the ground. “Know the space that you have and do it well,” she advised. “And make sure that you’re promoting what you have. Having an awesome space does absolutely nothing if people don’t know about it.”

Industry leaders and power players are connecting at Connect Phoenix Multifamily & Single-Family Build-to-Rent on April 18 at the Westin Kierland Resort & Spa. Don’t miss the expert’s take on where the market is headed, and what changes are on the horizon. Register Now!