The realm of residential development is consistently evolving in response to the shifting needs in the market. As priorities realign and demographic landscapes transform, multifamily designers and developers find themselves in a continuous state of adaptation to resonate with residents in an increasingly competitive arena.
At V Starr, as collaborative design partners to developers across the country, we've observed particularly pronounced shifts regarding tenant lifestyles and thus, their living needs.
What are these pivotal multifamily trends, and how can we effectively respond to them to craft spaces that not only meet but exceed the expectations of today's discerning residents?
Top 5 Multifamily Trends in 2024
1. Health & Wellness
Wellness holds steady as a high priority for residents in multifamily properties, and as such, a standard gym no longer meets their expectations. Today, multifamily dwellers are not impressed with standard fitness facilities but rather yearn for provisions catered to holistic wellness practices. We’re seeing developers and their partners responding to the call with everything from cryotherapy pods to full luxury spas, and even atriums and green spaces to help ground residents and stay connected with nature in major cities.
When it comes to the design of these spaces, we’re minding wellness in our material selection as well. In sourcing natural and non-toxic materials we aim to meet end users’ standards with selections that are not only aesthetically sound but also more environmentally friendly. Further, the inclusion of biophilic elements is known to contribute positively to overall mental well-being by fostering a sense of calm.
2. Diversification of Lifestyle Amenities
Outside of health and wellness, amenities are evolving to allocate dedicated spaces for leisure activities that cannot necessarily take place in small apartments or condos. Podcast studios, VR rooms, and even indoor pickleball courts are just a few examples of new accommodations now being integrated into modern developments.
Community is another important factor for residents as they all seek organic connections with neighbors and guests beyond the confines of their units. From membership pool clubs to rooftop clubs and full game room lounges, the rise of social hospitality spaces attests to the growing popularity of initiatives aimed at nurturing a vibrant community spirit among residents.
Mirroring the convenience offered at hotels and short-stays, grab-and-go drinks and food marts are another growingly common amenity that helps meet tenants’ needs with convenience.
3. Flexible, Multipurpose Spaces
With hybrid work holding steady across industries, coworking spaces persist as a prevalent amenity in multifamily buildings. Ranging from well-equipped conference rooms to individual workspaces, thoughtfully designed spaces enhance productivity and also offer an environment for remote employees to draw motivation outside of their living quarters. As hybrid work endures, these dedicated workspaces have become a key draw for residents.
Simultaneously, increased demand for home office spaces within residences has created a need for versatile spaces. This shift not only influences the dimensions of apartments but also redefines the unit mix by challenging the conventional notion that two bedrooms are exclusively designated for families.
Instead, these spaces are now envisioned to serve dual purposes that can accommodate working from home. With this, too, comes the need for flexible storage solutions for work-related items that are out of sight and mind when guests visit but are easily accessible and convenient when needed.
4. Catering to Aging Renter Demographics
As Boomers look to downsize and explore new cities, they seek out the same amenities as Millennials, but with a more refined taste that reflects the comforts of home that they’re used to. Developers and designers are meeting their expectations with thoughtfully curated spaces that feel warm, inviting and luxurious.
Through tactile materials, soothing color palettes and curated art packages, lounges, lobbies and amenity spaces are now approached as seamless extensions of the residents’ apartments.
5. Building Neighborhoods to Thrive
Underlining the increased focus on community, multifamily designers are embracing a holistic, mixed-use approach that considers not just residential, commercial, and retail but also food and beverage, entertainment, and performing arts, plus plenty of greenspaces. Sound rooms and stages and even hidden speakeasies are just a few of the ways property groups are accounting for the varied interests of their residents, offering a close-knit hub to meet and connect right in their communities.
In essence, our commitment lies in crafting enduring spaces. As the dynamics and preferences of multifamily developments transform, designers and our partners aim to meet these shifts in the market with thoughtful considerations that evolve with time. While we work to accommodate each of these shifts into our projects, we too consider how they will evolve by offering flexibility in layout and function to consistently bolster vibrant and thriving communities.
Related Stories
| Jul 17, 2014
A high-rise with outdoor, vertical community space? It's possible! [slideshow]
Danish design firm C.F. Møller has developed a novel way to increase community space without compromising privacy or indoor space.
| Jul 11, 2014
First look: Jeanne Gang reinterprets San Francisco Bay windows in new skyscraper scheme
Chicago architect Jeanne Gang has designed a 40-story residential building in San Francisco that is inspired by the city's omnipresent bay windows.
| Jul 10, 2014
Unique design of Toronto's townhome The Tree House
Plans for a new Toronto townhome brings cutting-edge design.
| Jul 7, 2014
7 emerging design trends in brick buildings
From wild architectural shapes to unique color blends and pattern arrangements, these projects demonstrate the design possibilities of brick.
| Jul 7, 2014
A climate-controlled city is Dubai's newest colossal project
To add to Dubai's already impressive portfolio of world's tallest tower and world's largest natural flower garden, Dubai Holding has plans to build the world's largest climate-controlled city.
| Jul 3, 2014
Gehry edits Canadian skyscraper plan to be 'more Toronto'
After being criticized for the original tower complex, architect Frank Gehry unveils a new design that is more subtle, and "more Toronto."
| Jul 2, 2014
SHoP designs what would be Brooklyn's tallest building
JDS Development partners with SHoP to construct a 70-story building at 775-feet tall, unprecedented for downtown Brooklyn.
| Jun 30, 2014
Research finds continued growth of design-build throughout United States
New research findings indicate that for the first time more than half of projects above $10 million are being completed through design-build project delivery.
| Jun 30, 2014
Narrow San Francisco lots to be developed into micro-units
As a solution to San Francisco’s density and low housing supply compared to demand, local firms Build Inc. and Macy Architecture each are to build micro-unit housing in a small parcel of land in Hayes Valley.
| Jun 30, 2014
Harvard releases the State of the Nation’s Housing 2014
Although the housing industry saw notable increases in construction, home prices, and sales in 2013, household growth has yet to fully recover from the effects of the recession, according to a new Harvard University report.