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/ BUILDING DIALOGUE / DECEMBER 2014
Apartment Developers are Planning Ahead
O
ne of the key elements of success within
the apartment/multifamily rental market is
the fact that developers aren’t only design-
ing and building their properties based on current
market demand, but rather they are thinking five,
10 and even 15 years into the future. This forward-
thinking approach is setting the tone for how people
will live happily and comfortably for years to come, in
properties that have their best interests – and greatest
expectations – inmind.
Some of things that smart developers are doing, to
ensure that their properties will be desirable and sus-
tainable well into the 21st century, include:
Creating an Amenity
Apartment buildings of the future need to do more
thanprovide shelter for thepeoplewho reside there. They
must become a point of pride, and an amenity to the sur-
rounding neighborhood. This is accomplished by under-
standing the surrounding demographic, holding focus
groups with neighbors and planning a building that will
fit in well with the fabric of an entire neighborhood. By
planning a building that is designed with the local envi-
ronment inmind, and includes retail services and dining
establishments that can be enjoyed by residents and ev-
eryone in the surrounding area, an apartment property
will be a welcome and long-lasting addition.
Establishing a Litany of Services
Many of the new apartment buildings throughout
the metro area are establishing on-site amenities and
services that would rival any boutique hotel. Designers
andpropertymanagement teams are taking a page from
the service industry in an attempt to make the resident’s
life easier. A concierge; theaters; barbecue decks; rooftop
pools; concierge services; dog grooming and dog parks;
fitness centers that are comprehensive enough to let a
person cancel their gym membership; package delivery;
and on-site cafés and bars are just a few examples of
what developers are doing to provide the ultimate life-
style. Even the use of smart phones is being implement-
ed into the technology of buildings. Residents can con-
trol things such as air conditioning and heating in their
own apartment home or be notified via text of the arrival
of a package. Developers understand that by providing
outstanding amenities and services, they’ll be able to sus-
tain their occupancy levels over a long period of time.
Addressing Mass Transit
As Denver continues to become a more mass-tran-
sit-oriented city, smart developers are making sure that
they are providing transportation options to their
residents who have decided to forego an automobile.
Some of these new ideas include shrinking the square
Erik Hagevik
Chief
Operating
Officer,
Holland
Partner
Group
CSNA Ar ch i t ec t s
planning architecture interiors
www . c s n a a r c h i t e c t s . c om 7 1 9 . 4 7 3 . 7 2 2 5
TRENDS
in Apartment Development
