The expectations of today’s commercial and residential tenants are shifting. Many seek spaces that offer an experience. They consider gyms, pools and other standard amenities the expected baseline, not a differentiator. To achieve maximum ROI and stand out from the competition, properties must offer unique, forward-thinking features that genuinely enhance the lives of their occupants.
1. Offer In-Unit Private Elevators
Private elevators provide essential mobility for residents who need it and simplify moving strollers and supplies for families with young children. They also make it easy to carry groceries, luggage and furniture for all tenants. This amenity can increase a property’s market value and broaden its appeal to those planning for their “forever home.”
A Partner in Custom Accessibility
Residential Elevators is a family-owned American company that specializes in custom residential elevators. Its in-house team of experts manages the entire process, from designing and manufacturing to installation and service.
Key Features
- Complete customization: Every elevator is custom-made for each project to ensure the installation fits the building’s architectural style and floor plan.
- Superior build: It uses the finest materials and technology to deliver a quiet, smooth and safe ride.
- Long-term value and support: The company ensures its elevators remain operable long after installation with fast, expert troubleshooting support and maintenance from its own team.
2. Integrate Biophilic Design Elements
Biophilic design helps connect building occupants to nature. It goes beyond adding a few potted plants with distinct features, from large-scale living green walls in lobbies to tranquil rooftop gardens. These natural features appeal to many of today’s tenants, especially those who are wellness-conscious and environmentally aware.
An Expert in Biophilic Design and Environments
Ambius has over 50 years of experience creating healthier commercial spaces through nature-inspired, multisensory experiences. It partners with developers to design and install solutions, including interior and exterior landscaping, as well as ambient scenting.
Key Features
- End-to-end in-house service: Ambius uses its own team for every stage, from consultation to ongoing professional maintenance.
- Scalable brand consistency: It delivers consistent, high-impact results for clients with multiple properties, ensuring a cohesive brand experience.
- Custom multisensory solutions: It crafts complete sensory environments, combining custom plantscapes with strategic scenting.
3. Provide High-End, Automated Pet Amenities
With the rise of pet ownership among renters and buyers, standard pet-friendly policies are no longer enough to stand out. Offering a dedicated, high-quality amenity like a dog washing station with grooming tools can attract and retain pet owners, while also creating a new source of ancillary revenue.
A Specialist in Dog Wash Stations
Evolution Dog Wash manufactures advanced, self-serve dog wash systems designed to generate passive income for commercial properties. These all-in-one units are built for multifamily communities and other high-traffic environments.
Key Features
- Durable, all-in-one construction: The stations are made from high-grade, aircraft-quality stainless steel and equipped with everything needed to wash and dry pets safely.
- Easy operation and maintenance: They have easy-to-use controls, a built-in disinfectant function for quick cleaning and a triple-filtration drain to minimize clogging.
- Accommodating design: The units can fit dogs of all sizes.
4. Build a Dynamic, Multiuse Smart Hub
Instead of a standard business center, build a flexible community hub that serves multiple purposes, like a coworking space that turns into an event venue at night. A robust cloud-based control system is the key to managing these dynamic places, allowing property managers to grant and restrict access easily while enhancing security and convenience.
A Pioneer in Unified Security
Brivo pioneered cloud-based access control, developing a unified security suite that allows property managers to manage everything from a single building to a portfolio of locations. Its platform simplifies operations, boosts ROI and delivers the modern amenities residents value.
Key Features
- Unified security suite: Its platform integrates access control, video intelligence, visitor management and intrusion monitoring.
- Modern resident experiences: Brivo enables amenities like simplified guest management and mobile credentials that allow residents to use their smartphones for access.
- Scalable platform: The technology is designed to scale and work with other systems via an open API.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the answers to common questions about property upgrades.
How can property managers measure the ROI on these types of upgrades?
ROI for premium amenities is multifaceted. It’s measured directly through the ability to command higher rents or sale prices. It also indirectly contributes to faster lease-up rates, lower vacancy and increased resident retention, which reduces costly turnover.
Are custom upgrades difficult to integrate into a large-scale project?
Custom upgrades require more planning than standard finishes. The key is to engage with a full-service partner early in the design phase. These specialized companies can work alongside architects and contractors to ensure their solution is seamlessly and efficiently integrated.
What is the most important factor when choosing an upgrade partner?
Prioritize expertise and support. Look for a partner with a proven track record of successful projects within the multifamily or commercial sector. Inquire about post-installation support, warranty and maintenance plans to understand the long-term commitment. For developers with multiple properties, confirming the company’s ability to scale and provide consistent service across the entire portfolio is critical.
Building Properties for Tomorrow
The future of successful property development is experiential. To succeed, developers, planners and engineers must curate an environment that supports the well-being and lifestyle of its residents. Choosing features for accessibility, wellness, community and flexibility are strategic investments in superior resident experience. They help make properties more resilient to market fluctuations and more desirable than the competition — ultimately yielding returns through higher property values and brand loyalty.
