Ten Ways to Take Your Rooftop to the Next Level

When it comes to upgrading your high-rise amenities, start at the top: your rooftop! Are you maximizing that real estate? That space can be enhanced to offer new opportunities for fun, relaxation and building community, while also enhancing your property values. Rooftop venues can provide the feel of a wide-open space, even in the concrete jungle, not to mention the best views.

For older buildings that aren’t using their rooftops, activating that space can also provide an opportunity for greater marketability in a competitive environment.

Some of the hottest venues for dining and entertainment in downtowns and urban centers are rooftop spots. Follow their lead and create exciting sky-high experiences for your residents. There are plenty of ways to upgrade your high-rise amenities in many areas, but start by checking out our ten ways to take your rooftop to the next level. Some of these ideas can be put to use in other areas of your high-rise property as well.

Cabanas

Get creative with artful, comfortable cabanas and lounge chairs to beautify your rooftop while offering cooling shade. Cabanas can be simple open tents with a BYOC (chair) option, or luxurious affairs with fans and comfy lounges inside.

Fire Pit Lounges

A fire pit is a great way to lengthen the rooftop lounging season, especially through the lovely fall season in Georgia. Nothing’s better than a crisp evening under the stars with the smell of wood smoke and toasting marshmallows in the air. Be sure to check with all local ordinances and fire codes before going this route.

Grilling Stations

It’s just not summer without a cookout – maybe slow-smoked pulled pork and ribs? Unfortunately, high-rise dwellers don’t often get the chance to savor the season with some home-cooked barbecue. Again, be sure to vet any concepts with your local fire marshal before embarking on installing any kind of grills.

Pool

Pools are one of the more common ways to make the most of your rooftop in Georgia, thanks to longer periods of beautiful, sunny weather. Luxurious options like infinity pools or saltwater pools can really set your rooftop apart and increase the marketability of your property. Make any pool experience more luxurious by offering towel service and chilled water on the pool deck.

Fitness Center

Enjoy your workout from a different perspective. Whether it’s cardio, lifting, yoga or Pilates, a rooftop fitness area elevates any workout beyond the ordinary. Consider including a putting green so residents can perfect their putting while enjoying the fresh air.

Gardens

Whether it consists of open beds of flowers and veggies or an enclosed greenhouse, a resident rooftop garden is a great way to grow fresh food and enjoy the meditative qualities of growing vegetables in the heart of the city. Consider a community garden for veggies or perhaps make the space more decorative with local, seasonal flowers.

Meditation Garden

Create an island of tranquility in the heart of the city with a beautiful koi pond, comfortable seating and lush landscaping. Consider a small rock or sand garden as an addition.

Fun for Kids

Creating your own mini-park – complete with playset – on your rooftop provides a fun space for kids and their parents. Cover the surface with shock absorbing matting made from recycled rubber for an eco-friendly and safe flooring option for the little ones.

Dog Park

Your rooftop can go to the dogs (in a good way) by tuning this space into places to run, walk and play for residents’ furry friends. A pet spa or simple dog washing and grooming station is also an option. See if a local mobile groomer will set up shop on your rooftop one or two days a month.

Rooftop Dining

Turn your rooftop into a scene all its own with an innovative restaurant or bar concept. If you’re lucky to have panoramic views, everything you serve will come with a side of ahhhhhh.
Bonus Tip:  Mix it up. For the ultimate rooftop hotspot, consider mixing it up with a combination of any of these concepts. Maybe a pool with cabana space? A fitness center with play space for the kids while parents work out? A meditation garden combined with fire pits? The possibilities are limited only by your desires.

Before beginning a rooftop revamp, ask residents for their input. Consider asking for idea submissions or distributing a survey in which they can rank ideas by preference. Getting resident feedback will help your Board make the right choices for your community. Your association’s governing documents may also require a vote of the membership for capital improvements of this nature.  Always consult your insurance company, association legal counsel and engineers before embarking on any capital improvement. Of course, your professional property management company can assist with distributing those communications, and can also provide guidance on which amenities will work best for your unique property and community. Interested in updating amenities throughout your building?



For more information on how a quality property management company can assist as you upgrade your high-rise amenities, including your rooftop, contact FirstService Residential, Georgia’s leading property management company.

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