FirstService Residential Sees Amenity Planning on the Rise in 2016
Leading property management firm identifies in-demand lifestyle trends
Dania Beach, Fla. (March 15, 2016) --- With single and multifamily home construction trending upward in 2016, community developers and home builders are feeling the pressure to stand out with more than just appealing locations and architectural designs. The demand to deliver a desirable community lifestyle in addition to living space has become a key to driving purchasing decisions for many homebuyers and renters. FirstService Residential, North America’s leading residential property management company, has its pulse on amenity planning trends that developers, builders and community associations are continuing to devote close attention to this year.
According to Judy Julison, Senior Vice President of Lifestyle Programming at FirstService Residential, today’s communities of choice offer a host of amenities and lifestyle enrichment programs reflecting the contemporary needs and interests of current and prospective residents, and ultimately are perceived to offer a better way to live. “Successful amenity planning requires a strategic approach that aligns the community and facility design with supporting programs and services to deliver the exceptional living experiences residents and new homebuyers genuinely appreciate and desire,” remarked Julison.
Julison explained that a skateboard park or climbing wall and supporting instructional programs may not hold as much appeal in an active adult community as they would at a property planned for multi-generational homeowners. “Our team of lifestyle directors keeps a pulse on the health, living and wellness essentials specific to the demographic and the distinct personality of each community,” she continued. “This approach to incorporate the right mix of lifestyle programs and services that add value to the community as a whole is what makes our service delivery so unique.”
As North America’s largest manager of homeowners and condominium associations, FirstService Residential is attentive to the prominent lifestyle trends and amenities that will shape communities in 2016.
1. High-End Fitness
A growing number of lifestyle communities and high-rise buildings are adding or renovating their fitness centers, creating state-of-the-art workout spaces that rival some of the best local health and wellness facilities. Additionally, some properties are adding features like resort-style swimming, resistance and infinity pools.
2. Alluring Social Gathering Spots
Lifestyle communities are expanding and enhancing community entrances and amenities that leave a lasting imprint on homebuyers. Such enhancements include aesthetically appealing reception areas and adjacent social lounges, coffee bars and similar spaces that foster community interaction and allow residents to socialize with friends and neighbors.
3. Special Interest Areas
Amenities that tie into homeowners’ interests and hobbies are rapidly becoming more prevalent as an added community space. Dedicated club rooms, computer labs, ceramics studios, dog parks, Wi-Fi cafes, bocce and pickle ball complexes, skate board facilities, hospital-affiliated wellness centers, classrooms for lifelong learning and even golf simulators, are some of the specialty areas in demand.
4. Sustainable Living
The growth of health-conscious, sustainable living philosophies has influenced amenities planning. More and more communities are fashioning forward-thinking, communal offerings such as on-site farms, vineyards, locally sustained restaurants, healthy cooking demonstration, outdoor and catering kitchens, and rooftop or community gardens and greenhouses.
5. Accessing Outdoor Recreation
Access to parks, lakes, walking trails and other areas for outdoor recreation continue to be desirable. As a result, communities are leveraging the area’s local topography and delivering amenities unique to that specific geographic region. For example, lakefront communities in North Carolina may feature swimming beaches, canoe and kayak facilities and fishing venues to appeal to local recreationists.
6. Lifestyle, Entertainment and Concierge Services
Great amenities are expected in luxury condos, but what sets many luxury high-rises apart are the fun, lifestyle-driven programs that bring residents together. From lounge parties, wine tastings and guest authors to intimate dinner parties and gala birthday celebrations, concierges and lifestyle directors strive to create unique programs that respond to the tastes, interests and social needs of their residents. In addition, concierge services enhance residents’ lifestyles by setting appointments, making reservations and even securing last-minute or hard-to-get tickets for local performances and concerts.
7. On-site Pampering
Some luxury properties are finding ways to bring the spa experience in-house. From full-service spas with massage studios to hair salons and other health, beauty and wellness services, residents are attended to from head to toe and can be pampered from the comfort of their own residences.
About FirstService Residential
FirstService Residential is North America's largest manager of residential communities and the preferred partner of HOAs, community associations and strata corporations in the U.S. and Canada. FirstService Residential's managed communities include low-, mid- and high-rise condominiums and cooperatives, single-family homes, master-planned, lifestyle and active adult communities, and rental and commercial properties.
With an unmatched combination of deep industry experience, local market expertise and personalized attention, FirstService Residential delivers proven solutions and exceptional service that add value, enhance lifestyles and make a difference, every day, for every resident and community it manages. FirstService Residential is a subsidiary of FirstService Corporation, a North American leader in the property services sector. For more information, visit www.fsresidential.com.
Dania Beach, Fla. (March 15, 2016) --- With single and multifamily home construction trending upward in 2016, community developers and home builders are feeling the pressure to stand out with more than just appealing locations and architectural designs. The demand to deliver a desirable community lifestyle in addition to living space has become a key to driving purchasing decisions for many homebuyers and renters. FirstService Residential, North America’s leading residential property management company, has its pulse on amenity planning trends that developers, builders and community associations are continuing to devote close attention to this year.
According to Judy Julison, Senior Vice President of Lifestyle Programming at FirstService Residential, today’s communities of choice offer a host of amenities and lifestyle enrichment programs reflecting the contemporary needs and interests of current and prospective residents, and ultimately are perceived to offer a better way to live. “Successful amenity planning requires a strategic approach that aligns the community and facility design with supporting programs and services to deliver the exceptional living experiences residents and new homebuyers genuinely appreciate and desire,” remarked Julison.
Julison explained that a skateboard park or climbing wall and supporting instructional programs may not hold as much appeal in an active adult community as they would at a property planned for multi-generational homeowners. “Our team of lifestyle directors keeps a pulse on the health, living and wellness essentials specific to the demographic and the distinct personality of each community,” she continued. “This approach to incorporate the right mix of lifestyle programs and services that add value to the community as a whole is what makes our service delivery so unique.”
As North America’s largest manager of homeowners and condominium associations, FirstService Residential is attentive to the prominent lifestyle trends and amenities that will shape communities in 2016.
1. High-End Fitness
A growing number of lifestyle communities and high-rise buildings are adding or renovating their fitness centers, creating state-of-the-art workout spaces that rival some of the best local health and wellness facilities. Additionally, some properties are adding features like resort-style swimming, resistance and infinity pools.
2. Alluring Social Gathering Spots
Lifestyle communities are expanding and enhancing community entrances and amenities that leave a lasting imprint on homebuyers. Such enhancements include aesthetically appealing reception areas and adjacent social lounges, coffee bars and similar spaces that foster community interaction and allow residents to socialize with friends and neighbors.
3. Special Interest Areas
Amenities that tie into homeowners’ interests and hobbies are rapidly becoming more prevalent as an added community space. Dedicated club rooms, computer labs, ceramics studios, dog parks, Wi-Fi cafes, bocce and pickle ball complexes, skate board facilities, hospital-affiliated wellness centers, classrooms for lifelong learning and even golf simulators, are some of the specialty areas in demand.
4. Sustainable Living
The growth of health-conscious, sustainable living philosophies has influenced amenities planning. More and more communities are fashioning forward-thinking, communal offerings such as on-site farms, vineyards, locally sustained restaurants, healthy cooking demonstration, outdoor and catering kitchens, and rooftop or community gardens and greenhouses.
5. Accessing Outdoor Recreation
Access to parks, lakes, walking trails and other areas for outdoor recreation continue to be desirable. As a result, communities are leveraging the area’s local topography and delivering amenities unique to that specific geographic region. For example, lakefront communities in North Carolina may feature swimming beaches, canoe and kayak facilities and fishing venues to appeal to local recreationists.
6. Lifestyle, Entertainment and Concierge Services
Great amenities are expected in luxury condos, but what sets many luxury high-rises apart are the fun, lifestyle-driven programs that bring residents together. From lounge parties, wine tastings and guest authors to intimate dinner parties and gala birthday celebrations, concierges and lifestyle directors strive to create unique programs that respond to the tastes, interests and social needs of their residents. In addition, concierge services enhance residents’ lifestyles by setting appointments, making reservations and even securing last-minute or hard-to-get tickets for local performances and concerts.
7. On-site Pampering
Some luxury properties are finding ways to bring the spa experience in-house. From full-service spas with massage studios to hair salons and other health, beauty and wellness services, residents are attended to from head to toe and can be pampered from the comfort of their own residences.
About FirstService Residential
FirstService Residential is North America's largest manager of residential communities and the preferred partner of HOAs, community associations and strata corporations in the U.S. and Canada. FirstService Residential's managed communities include low-, mid- and high-rise condominiums and cooperatives, single-family homes, master-planned, lifestyle and active adult communities, and rental and commercial properties.
With an unmatched combination of deep industry experience, local market expertise and personalized attention, FirstService Residential delivers proven solutions and exceptional service that add value, enhance lifestyles and make a difference, every day, for every resident and community it manages. FirstService Residential is a subsidiary of FirstService Corporation, a North American leader in the property services sector. For more information, visit www.fsresidential.com.