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
Mixed-Use | Mar 11, 2023
Austin mixed-use development will provide two million sf of office, retail, and residential space
In Austin, Texas, the seven-building East Riverside Gateway complex will provide a mixed-use community next to the city’s planned Blue Line light rail, which will connect the Austin Bergstrom International Airport with downtown Austin. Planned and designed by Steinberg Hart, the development will include over 2 million sf of office, retail, and residential space, as well as amenities, such as a large park, that are intended to draw tech workers and young families.
Multifamily Housing | Mar 7, 2023
Multifamily housing development in Chicago takes design inspiration from patchwork and quilting
HUB 32, a 65-unit multifamily housing development, will provide affordable housing and community amenities in Chicago’s Garfield Park neighborhood. Brooks + Scarpa’s recently unveiled design takes inspiration from the American tradition of patchwork and quilting.
Adaptive Reuse | Mar 5, 2023
Pittsburgh offers funds for office-to-residential conversions
The City of Pittsburgh’s redevelopment agency is accepting applications for funding from developers on projects to convert office buildings into affordable housing. The city’s goals are to improve downtown vitality, make better use of underutilized and vacant commercial office space, and alleviate a housing shortage.
Student Housing | Mar 5, 2023
Calif. governor Gavin Newsom seeks to reform environmental law used to block student housing
California Gov. Gavin Newsom wants to reform a landmark state environmental law that he says was weaponized by wealthy homeowners to block badly needed housing for students at the University of California, Berkeley.
Green Renovation | Mar 5, 2023
Dept. of Energy offers $22 million for energy efficiency and building electrification upgrades
The Buildings Upgrade Prize (Buildings UP) sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy is offering more than $22 million in cash prizes and technical assistance to teams across America. Prize recipients will be selected based on their ideas to accelerate widespread, equitable energy efficiency and building electrification upgrades.
AEC Innovators | Mar 3, 2023
Meet BD+C's 2023 AEC Innovators
More than ever, AEC firms and their suppliers are wedding innovation with corporate responsibility. How they are addressing climate change usually gets the headlines. But as the following articles in our AEC Innovators package chronicle, companies are attempting to make an impact as well on the integrity of their supply chains, the reduction of construction waste, and answering calls for more affordable housing and homeless shelters. As often as not, these companies are partnering with municipalities and nonprofit interest groups to help guide their production.
Modular Building | Mar 3, 2023
Pallet Shelter is fighting homelessness, one person and modular pod at a time
Everett, Wash.-based Pallet Inc. helped the City of Burlington, Vt., turn a municipal parking lot into an emergency shelter community, complete with 30 modular “sleeping cabins” for the homeless.
Multifamily Housing | Mar 1, 2023
Multifamily construction startup Cassette takes a different approach to modular building
Prefabricated modular design and construction have made notable inroads into such sectors as industrial, residential, hospitality and, more recently, office and healthcare. But Dafna Kaplan thinks that what’s held back the modular building industry from even greater market penetration has been suppliers’ insistence that they do everything: design, manufacture, logistics, land prep, assembly, even onsite construction. Kaplan is CEO and Founder of Cassette, a Los Angeles-based modular building startup.
Seismic Design | Feb 27, 2023
Turkey earthquakes provide lessons for California
Two recent deadly earthquakes in Turkey and Syria offer lessons regarding construction practices and codes for California. Lax building standards were blamed for much of the devastation, including well over 35,000 dead and countless building collapses.
Multifamily Housing | Feb 21, 2023
Watch: DBA Architects' Bryan Moore talks micro communities and the benefits of walkable neighborhoods
What is a micro-community? Where are they most prevalent? What’s the future for micro communities? These questions (and more) addressed by Bryan Moore, President and CEO of DBA Architects.
