Nearly three-fifths of respondents (60%) to a recent survey by Multifamily Design + Construction magazine (a BD+C sister publication) had included free WiFi in a project in the last 24 months; this trend will surely accelerate in the near future as free WiFi becomes more or less a given for marketing purposes in the multifamily arena.
Smart technology like individual metering (48.3%), electric vehicle charging stations (an encouraging 42.0%), and fiber optic service (37.9%) are clearly catching on with developers and designers. Nearly one in four (24.7%) have placed a smart home system (such as Nest) into a project.
More than one in five (21.3%) respondents said they had built phone-charging stations into their complexes.
Some brave pioneers are experimenting with exciting new concepts like co-working spaces (27.6%) and so-called “maker spaces,” innovation centers, or incubator spaces (10.9%).
Is this movement toward individualized smart technology a signal that the days of the “computer room” or business center are numbered? Think about this: What could you do with that valuable found space?
More results from the MFDC survey to come next week.
Business services amenities:
Free Building-wide WiFi: 59.8%
Conference Room: 48.3%
Individually Metered Utilities: 48.3%
Business Center: 42.0%
Electric Vehicle Charging Station: 42.0%
High-speed Fiber Optic Service: 37.9%
Computer Room/Lounge: 36.8%
Media Room/Media Center: 29.3%
Base: 174
Source: Multifamily Design + Construction Reader Survey, June-July 2017
Related Stories
Modular Building | Jan 26, 2021
Offsite manufacturing startup iBUILT positions itself to reduce commercial developers’ risks
iBUILT plans to double its production capacity this year, and usher in more technology and automation to the delivery process.
Multifamily Housing | Jan 26, 2021
Merriman Anderson/Architects designs affordable housing complex out of shipping containers
The architect partnered with CitySquare Housing on the project.
Multifamily Housing | Jan 20, 2021
Abandoned Miami hospital gets third life as waterfront condo development
The 1920s King Cole Hotel becomes the Ritz-Carlton Residences Miami in the largest residential adaptive reuse project in South Florida.
Multifamily Housing | Jan 19, 2021
$100 million affordable housing development under construction in Santa Clara
KTGY Architecture + Planning is designing the project.
Multifamily Housing | Jan 14, 2021
The Weekly show, Jan 14, 2021: Passive House innovations, and launching a design studio during the pandemic
This week on The Weekly show, BD+C editors speak with AEC industry leaders about innovations in Passive House design, and the challenges of building a design team and opening a new design studio during a pandemic.
Multifamily Housing | Jan 11, 2021
McHugh Construction completes 5th-tallest all-residential building in the U.S.
McHugh Construction Completes Two Chicago Apartment Projects for Fifield Cos. and Crescent Heights, Including NEMA Chicago –Tallest All-Residential Building in Chicago and 5th Tallest in North Americ
Multifamily Housing | Jan 8, 2021
Student housing development in the time of COVID-19
Despite the coronavirus pandemic, many college and university residences were completed in time for classes, live or virtual. Here are 14 of the best.
Multifamily Housing | Dec 29, 2020
Sarah’s Circle supportive housing facility for women completes in Chicago
Perkins+Will designed the project.
Market Data | Dec 29, 2020
Multifamily transactions drop sharply in 2020, according to special report from Yardi Matrix
Sales completions at end of Q3 were down over 41 percent from the same period a year ago.
