3 Design Takeaways from Bisnow's "Beyond the Amenities Arms Race" Panel
At Design Environments, our work lives in the details that make a space feel like home. So, a recent Bisnow panel on what actually drives resident satisfaction was required listening. Executives from Morgan Properties, Silverstein Properties, Cortland, Tulu, and Thruline Consulting compared notes on a shared realization: the splashiest amenities are rarely the ones that keep people renewing. What does keep them? Reliability, a sense of community, and spaces that quietly make daily life easier.
Here are three themes from the panel, and what they mean for design and procurement in the multifamily market:
1. Intentionality
Panelists discussed a common disconnect between what owners and developers think tenants want, and what truly resonates. Sometimes that disconnect even exists within tenants themselves — between what's "nice-to-have" and what gets everyday use.
Owners are tracking utilization across their properties, and consensus found that core features were typically the top performing amenities. At the top of the list:
Fitness Center
Pool
Pet Care
Often the little nuances make all the difference when it comes to resident satisfaction. "Thinking small" might mean reliable, working printers in the business center, a quiet space to take a phone call in public areas, or thoughtfully arranged multi-use spaces to promote interaction among neighbors.
Intentionality drives satisfaction because it shows an understanding of tenant needs and how they use the space in practice. As one panelist put it: "People organize their lives by what makes things easier." Thoughtful space design can show an understanding of resident needs and demonstrate a commitment to their interests.
2. Wellness
A healthy life leads to a happy life, and residents care about wellness. Whether it's desirable gym equipment, access to a nearby spa or yoga studio, or more natural, wide-open spaces, owners are finding new (and old) ways to accommodate and promote resident wellbeing.
Natural materials and biophilic elements are trending across design and will continue to contribute to the overall wellness aesthetic in the years ahead. There is also a renewed interest in landscaping and welcoming outdoor spaces that not only add curb appeal but also provide opportunities to slow down and get some fresh air.
Curating a simple, thoughtful outdoor environment makes it easy to connect people with nature, extending wellness beyond the fitness center.
3. Community
It is human nature that people want to feel connected and be part of something bigger than themselves. The panelists found a strong correlation between that sense of community and the likelihood that a tenant would renew his or her lease. The general idea is that if they made friends in their property or neighborhood, it would be harder and less desirable to leave.
Plus, in the wake of the isolation caused by the pandemic, there is a renewed interest in socialization and shared experiences. Multifamily communities are proud of the creative ways they embrace community and build social connectivity into their amenities. Examples that stood out included: a dog park that enables relaxation and conversation, flexible gathering areas that can host a weekly farmer's market, and versatile meeting areas for social clubs and affinity groups that can accommodate everything from a community choir to a local maker space.
“Amenities — physical amenities — done purposefully and intentionally, can in fact help develop that sense of community.”
Intentionality, wellness, and community aren't just buzzwords from a webinar…they're the beginnings of a design brief. Design Environments creates inspiring spaces and seamlessly delivers a worry-free experience for clients. Intentional design is our specialty. We'd love to help you turn these insights into a space your residents will use and love.