Developers Around the World Focus on ‘Thoughtful’ Amenities

Gone are the days when luxury buildings could satisfy residents with a friendly doorman and a few exercise machines in the basement.

That’s so 2000, says Brett Ringelheim, a licensed real estate salesperson at Nest Seekers International. “Having a gym and pool is common sense,” he says.

But today’s buyers and renters demand more customized amenities and top-of-the-line everything. Knock-your-socks-off amenities packages have become as important — and common — as high ceilings and great views.

“Buildings are now loaded with dog runs, helipads, hotel rooms for guests within the building, private catering and event space,” says Denae Montesi, a real estate salesperson at William Raveis, a real estate firm in New York City. “Underground drive-in lobbies, private parking space and Turkish baths are also topping the lists of must haves.”

And even in buildings that have more basic amenities, everything is done at the highest level of luxury.

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Convenience is Key … Especially for the Higher End

Well thought-out “extras” are as much about luring buyers as it is make residents’ lives that much easier.

“People have multiple interests, hobbies and busy schedules that make it difficult to fit everything in,” says Mitchell Hochberg, president of Lightstone Group, a real estate company in New York City. “Increasingly, people are seeking out living environments that can cater to all of their needs and interests in a convenient way.”

That’s why a gym is great, but a private parking spot is even better.

“For wealthy buyers, time is money,” says Victoria Shtainer, a licensed associate real estate broker at Compass, a real estate company in New York City.

Carnival-Style Amenities Are So Last Decade

Amenities such as bowling alleys and golf simulators seems to be waning because no one uses those spaces and they take up valuable real estate, say Tom Postilio and Mickey Conlon, luxury real estate brokers who sell properties collaboratively for Douglas Elliman in New York.

“Very few buildings today take an ‘over the top,’ gimmick-themed approach to amenities, which we witnessed in the last boom cycle,” says Richard Jordan, EVP of global markets at Douglas Elliman Real Estate. “Instead, developers are more thoughtful with regards to design, interior finish, functionality and providing world-class services, thus creating a ‘new normal’ with respect to enhanced-quality-of-life amenity offerings.”

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It’s All About Healthy (Hotel and Spa-Style) Living

Developers these days are focusing on personal wellness and comfort, and delivering those amenities directly into the residences. This means air and water filtration systems, radiant heating, humidification systems, treatment rooms, vitamin C showers and even circadian lighting systems, Mr. Postilio and Mr. Conlon report.

In the end, the upper echelon of buyers are increasingly requesting features within their buildings that you’d find in a leading hotel or custom home with luxury finishes and that has an upside to a certain other buyer demographic, says Jordan Sachs, CEO of Bold New York, a boutique residential brokerage firm.

And it’s something we’re seeing all over the world.

“In Hong Kong, developers focus on providing resort-like facilities and convenience amenities, including sport centers, swimming pools, spas, gyms and barbeque areas,” says David Ji, Director and Head of Research & Consultancy, Greater China at Knight Frank.

“The upside of this has been the trickle-down effect, which has led to many of these amenities now being offered in mid-market buildings that we’re leasing or selling to millennials,” he says, referring to $2 million to $3 million properties.

Here’s some of what you’ll find in three luxury markets across the world:

New York

• “Spa-like” areas offering Turkish hammam-style plunge pools and saunas, such as those at 361 Broadway, also known as the Cast Iron House and 432 Park Avenue • Conference spaces and meeting rooms, as the popularity of “telecommuting” or working from home rises, like at One Beacon Court • Port-cocheres and more focus on garages. The building, 443 Greenwich Street, for one, has beautiful tiled garages reminiscent of Grand Central. • An increase in hotel-style living with amenities, such as at Baccarat Residences and One57

London

• Apartment-style living associated with hotels is a newer concept in the city, but five-star hotel service is becoming a top amenity for certain buildings. For example, at One Hyde Park, residences have access to services by The Dorchester Collection. • Room service with fine dining options, like at The Athenaeum • Access to high-end pools, such as the Sky Pool at Embassy Gardens

Hong Kong

• Members-only clubs are gaining in popularity, like the ones at 39 Conduit Road and Parkview • Access to swimming pools, such as the rooftop pools and private pools at the Frank Gehry-designed Opus Hong Kong • Indoor sports centers, like the one at Hong Kong Parkview • Pet clubs, like at the One Victory, in which the perks include a pet swimming pool and garden