Construction sites across the Chicago region hummed with activity throughout the coronavirus pandemic, largely thanks to Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s determination that such projects were key to sustaining the economy and his decision to not issue any orders stopping construction.
The bet paid off by keeping thousands of workers employed, but these projects, including the 101-story Vista Tower, the 55-story Bank of America Tower at 110 North Wacker Drive, JDL Development’s 76-story One Chicago Square in River North and Sterling Bay’s 47-story mixed-use tower at 300 North Michigan Ave., all had financing in place, and developers were completing well-advanced plans.
Launching new projects in the midst of the pandemic and subsequent steep job losses is another level of risk, and many developers and lenders decided to hold off.
Construction starts in the Chicago metro area totaled $8.9B in the first 10 months of 2020, a 23% decline from the $11.6B recorded in the same time period last year, according to Dodge Data & Analytics. The decline was especially steep for residential construction, which totaled $3.4B so far in 2020, compared to $4.7B over the same time in 2019, a 28% drop.
The recession has hit service and hospitality workers the hardest, while work-from-home technology sustains millions of well-paid office jobs. That has given other builders the confidence to keep breaking ground on some office and residential towers, especially ones outside the largely empty Loop, activity that will help sustain the region’s construction industry until COVID-19 vaccines put an end to the pandemic.
Below are six new projects going forward next year and one honorable mention.
Optima Wilmette
As the downtown residential market suffers, many renters have started considering the suburbs, and developers are ready to seize that advantage. Optima has completed nearly two dozen developments in Chicago’s North Shore suburbs and in 2021 will break ground on a mixed-use development of 109 apartments and street-level retail at 1210 Central Ave. in north suburban Wilmette. Optima CEO David Hovey designed the building, which he said would satisfy the demand not just for suburban living but, with its bird-friendly glass and electric vehicle charging stations, for apartment buildings that include environmentally friendly features.
“As with each project we design and build, we’re very careful to ensure the buildings respect their environment and have a positive impact on the surrounding neighborhood,” Hovey said in a press release.
Although we’re unable change the harsh winters in the Chicagoland area, Optima communities provide your home with lush greenery and abundant light to fight those winter blues. Crain’s Chicago Business Daily Gist Podcast discussed how Optima communities alter the way you experience winter in Chicago.
Home builders learned long ago to bring the outdoors in, and now apartment developers are doing the same. “With more people spending time at home, it’s important to thoughtfully create a variety of spaces that allow residents to find inspiration in their natural surroundings and recharge,” says architect David Hovey, president of Optima Inc.
Optima Inc. has long made biophilic design a hallmark of its work, but it’s going greener still with three new projects. In the Chicago area, for example, Optima Lakeview will feature a distinctive landscaped interior atrium that will run through the building’s seven-story core and bring light into both the residential and retail areas of the building.
In Scottsdale, Ariz., Optima Kierland offers a dramatic vertical landscaping system that can be seen from every one of the 363 rental units and 433 condo apartments. And for the recently announced rental project in downtown Wilmette, Ill., Optima will import the landscaping model it is creating in Arizona, including hand-selected plants that will stay green year-round.
“Because we serve as both architect and developer on our projects,” says Hovey, “it makes it easier to prioritize these green spaces, which not only improve the air quality for our residents, but also those living near our buildings, as vertical gardens filter pollutants and carbon dioxide out of the air.”
Designers discuss the health-minded elements that are becoming standard in multifamily development.
Low VOC materials and enhanced filtration create wellness-essential indoor air. Credit: Cooper Cary
From students to seniors and affordable to affluent, apartment communities offering wellness features have strong appeal. Features will vary by region and population, so determining which ones make sense for your property will be a customized experience. Here’s what seven industry pros have found in their work.
“At least 70 percent of the newer communities in a market will contain a fitness center,” remarked Kimberly Bynum, multifamily managing principal with Newport Beach-based housing market research firm Zonda. Walkability and pedestrian friendly design, as well as ample, accessible green space and native landscaping are also popular.
Within individual rental units, Bynum pointed to patios and floor-to-ceiling windows for high-rise-buildings. Her firm’s findings suggest healthy/nontoxic/non-off-gassing building materials, hard surface flooring throughout instead of carpeting and improved ventilation appeal to prospective tenants for Class A developers.
Fitness facilities, nature connections and indoor air quality are widely accepted as essential wellness features across all rental categories. How those show up varies by location, user profile and market level.
“Enhanced air filtration and low volatile organic compound materials are the features that we specify on every project,” declared Krista Dumkrieger, principal with the Atlanta-based mixed-use residential studio in Cooper Carry. “Being thoughtful in material specification is one of the most cost effective ways to provide a healthy space for residents.”
Outdoor space is also imperative. “Preferably each unit will have its own dedicated space, even if it’s small. At a minimum, an outdoor area on the property that’s not completely paved,” the architect added. She noted that with so many working from home and spending more time there, this imperative is more important than ever.
Wellness for Students
One of the most-used amenities for student housing properties is the in-building fitness center, declared Jay Pearlman, senior vice president with The Scion Group, a Chicago-headquartered advisory services for student housing communities. “Residents want up-to-date fitness technology such as subscription-based cycling,” he said. “Today’s student residents also have a broader definition of wellness and seek ways to counteract stressors.” His firm is seeing increased demand for yoga and meditation rooms, as well as outdoor space for gathering, fitness and quiet solitude.
Wellness for Seniors
“Many of the must-have wellness features in senior living are those that connect residents with nature,” shared Johnny Dagher, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP, principal at Orlando-based Baker Barrios Architects.
Natural connections extend indoors with biophilia-inspired elements like garden walls, water features and natural lighting, the architect added. “There is a great deal of research showing the connection between natural elements and well-being,” he said. “For example, sitting by a fire is a multi-sensory experience, promoting social interaction and relaxation, but for senior living, particularly assisted living and memory care, we need to be sensitive to safety concerns.” Water vapor fireplaces, which don’t produce heat, is one option to add this feature safely.
Multi-purpose spaces, pet amenities and gardening beds are all affordable, appealing ways to add wellness features with a solid return on investment, Dagher added.
Fireplaces are multi-sensory wellness features, rendered with water vapor for safer senior gatherings. Credit: Baker Barrios / Tuscan Garden
When it comes to the unit itself, high ceilings and larger windows promote well-being, he comments. “Vinyl plank flooring is also a good option for creating a home-like feeling while more low-maintenance compared to traditional wood or carpet,” he said.
Technology integration is a top priority for senior living communities, Dagher noted. Examples include adding spaces dedicated to telemedicine and in-unit smart home technology. He also predicted the appeal of AI technologies to help prevent falls, improve indoor air quality and even offer virtual reality spaces.
It is also essential to understand the needs of future residents, especially in the senior housing space. Tomorrow’s Gen X senior, Dagher pointed out, will be a different tenant than today’s Greatest Generation resident. It’s entirely possible that your mother will spend some of her golden years in the metaverse, as well as in her apartment.
Wellness for Affordable Communities
Affordable projects may lack water walls and connected fitness centers, but their creators, like San Francisco Bay Area-based Community Housing Opportunities Corp., want their properties to enhance the well-being of their lower-income tenants, too. Amenities for the nonprofit community developer’s Palm Springs 60-unit neighborhood include a dog park, splash pad and two BBQ areas.
Another desert region project on CHOC’s planning boards will feature unit terraces with nature views. “Other areas we’re looking at include wider stairways to encourage socialization and ease of use,” shared the project’s architect, Maria Song, AIA, LEED & AP, principal of Interactive Design Corp. “‘Active staircases’ encourage taking the stairs rather than the elevator. This promotes exercise as well. Typically, we include an indoor/outdoor fitness area, or an on-site fitness center if possible. Other areas that developers may explore include creating smaller courtyards which will work for an intimate space for gathering.”
Within the affordable units, cross ventilations through window placement design in addition to air-conditioning and natural lighting serve as wellness features. “We also design accessible kitchens and bathrooms, private balconies on the upper floors and private porches on the first floors to allow outdoor access,” Song said. She predicted more work from home spaces, smart technology for security, more outdoor spaces and on-site wellness amenities like shared kitchens and community centers.
One resource available to affordable communities wanting to be wellness-focused is Fannie Mae’s Healthy Housing Rewards program. Introduced in 2017 for multifamily borrowers who incorporate wellness design features—certified through partners like the Center for Active Design’s Fitwel program—the program provides pricing breaks for new or renovated rental properties.
“We recognized that the success of affordable multifamily properties is directly tied to the health and stability of the residents,” said Karyn Sper, Fannie Mae’s senior director of multifamily customer and partner management. The program is small but growing, “But it’s not for every multifamily owner,” Sper added. “There is a commitment both in terms of meeting the affordability requirement—at least 50 percent of units must be restricted to households earning no more than 80 percent of Area Median Income—and obtaining and maintaining the required certifications.” Sper recommends that those interested in applying should start early.
Wellness for Market Rate Communities
Market rate communities must have club-level fitness facilities. Credit: PMG / Society Living / X Miami Apartments
Fitness, fitness, fitness! All Society Living communities have pool decks, large gyms and a studio for trainer-led classes. There’s also a yoga lawn for outdoor group workouts and wellness-related programming like nutrition.
“Hosting frequent fitness events and keeping a large gym well-operating can be expensive, but it’s a marketing and retention tool that brings major value,” observed Ryan Shear, managing partner at Miami-headquartered developer PMG. The firm is exploring fresh food vending machines, meditation pods and individualized training as opportunities for ancillary revenue.
Gym facilities and programming are the most in-demand amenities, he said, and they must be competitive with private health clubs in the area—not just other communities. The trend is toward more free weights, functional training and group classes and away from plate-loaded machines, he notes.
Within Society Living’s units are enhanced air filtration, large windows and natural light. PMG is “exploring enhanced water purification and air filtration systems in upcoming developments,” Shear commented.
Luxury communities also have pools, yoga studios, fitness centers and classes, as you’d expect. Optima adds saunas and massage rooms (connected to an app for booking services) in their wellness complexes. Given Chicago’s frigid winters, climate control is key.
Premium wellness facilities like saunas are hallmarks of luxury living. Credit: Optima / Optima Lakeview / Michael Duerinckx Photography
“Optima Lakeview boasts the region’s only heated, year-round rooftop swimming pool,” shared David Hovey Jr., AIA, president and principal architect of Illinois and Arizona-based real estate developer Optima, Inc. There’s also a heated dog park. Pickleball and Pilates have been popular, so the developer is looking at expanding those offerings to other communities.
Suburban Chicago Optima Verdana will also have an herb garden and a garden lounge, as well as three outdoor terraces, all designed for year-round use when it opens in 2023. “We believe people will continue to seek usable outdoor space, as we learned during the pandemic the importance of fresh air and being outside,” Hovey shared. This is even true in Chicago winters, he adds.
Within Optima’s units, expansive terraces—some with private grills—and floor-to-ceiling windows are extremely popular. “The most searched for wellness design features are the views from our terraces,” Hovey reports.
“Covid really took a growing interest in holistic wellness and supercharged it,” Cooper Carry’s Dumkrieger observeds, noting how the pandemic also brought mental health conversations and the underappreciated benefits of biophilia into the mainstream. Those biophilic offerings include the green spaces and nature views communities across all categories are incorporating. “Preferably each unit will have its own dedicated space, even if it’s small,” she suggested.
Optima, Inc. announced that it will lead property management and leasing services at three Chicagoland Class A rental buildings—its 490-unit Optima Signature mixed-use development in Chicago’s Streeterville neighborhood, the under-construction 198-unit Optima Lakeview in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood and its upcoming 109-unit building in downtown Wilmette, Illinois, along Chicago’s North Shore.
While Optima has served as the owner, architect, developer and general contractor for its properties in Chicago and Arizona for more than 40 years, the firm primarily focused its property management services at its Scottsdale, Arizona rental communities, including the two-tower, 363-unit Optima Kierland Apartments and the five-building, 768-unit Optima Sonoran Village.
“As we expand our portfolio in the Chicago area with two new luxury apartments in development, it is a natural progression to bring management in-house, enabling us to provide the same level of exceptional service we’ve perfected at our Arizona communities,” said David Hovey Jr., AIA, president and COO of Optima, Inc. “Optima Signature residents will quickly recognize our commitment to the resident experience, because as the designer, builder, and property manager, we are able to create a truly holistic experience, tailored to their preferences.”
To kick off its property management services at Optima Signature this month, Optima has unveiled a full roster of resident services and virtual event programming such as housekeeping, pet care, car care, virtual fitness classes and room service and barista service through Pear Chef.
Open since 2017 and just steps from Michigan Avenue and the Riverwalk, Optima Signature is a 57-story luxury rental development at 220 E. Illinois St. with 490 studio, convertible, one-, two- and three-bedroom units with 1.5 acres of amenity space.
Optima Signature’s first-class amenities include resort-style indoor and outdoor heated swimming pools; cabanas and bars; a cutting-edge fitness center with saunas, steam rooms and WELLBEATS virtual workout studio; resident lounge with coffee bar; basketball, squash and bocce ball courts; and golf simulator and putting green. On a separate floor, residents can access cardio and strength-training equipment, a yoga studio, locker rooms with both steam and shower and indoor children’s play area.
Outdoor amenities feature multiple terraces with 16 fire pits, new heat lamps to enable more outdoor time during the cold weather months, a 40-yard running track, dog park, children’s play area, whirlpool spa, cabanas, lounge seating, televisions, co-ed sauna and steam rooms, a kitchen, grilling stations and dining areas.
Scheduled to open in spring 2022 at 3460 N. Broadway, Optima Lakeview is a seven-story transit-oriented development (TOD) of 198 one-, two- and three-bedroom units with 14,000 square feet of street-level retail in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood within walking distance of Lake Michigan and Wrigley Field.
Optima Lakeview’s 40,000-square-feet of amenities will be spread across the building and include a rooftop sky deck with pool, spa, terrace and party room; a striking glass-enclosed atrium; indoor basketball court; golf simulator and putting green; fitness center with state-of-the-art equipment; yoga/stretching room; sports lounge; dog park and pet spa; children’s play area; game room; demonstration kitchen; two conference rooms; and a business center. Residents can use the 94 fully enclosed parking spaces at grade level and storage for 208 bicycles.
Construction is set to start later this year on a new development of 109 luxury one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments and 8,000 square feet of street-level retail at 1210 Central Avenue in downtown Wilmette. The location across the street from the Metra commuter train station at Green Bay Road will be ideal for North Shore commuters. Amenities will include a rooftop sky deck and pool, residential courtyard and a suite of additional amenities. The building will also have 173 parking spaces, including some electric vehicle charging stations.
The Wilmette development will showcase Optima’s innovative vertical landscaping system—well known at its Arizona communities—with hand-selected plants that will stay green year-round, even during the most extreme weather conditions. First move-ins are planned for 2023.
Design-driven real estate development firm Optima, Inc. announced its construction team has topped off Optima Verdana, a new luxury six-story, 100-unit rental apartment building at 1210 Central Ave. in Wilmette, Illinois, on Chicago’s North Shore. Pre-leasing will begin in early May with move-ins scheduled floor by floor, starting in July.
With the structure complete, Optima has installed the development’s striking glass exterior panels on the first, second and third floors, with façade work continuing to move up the building. Aligning with Optima’s commitment to sustainability and the natural environment, the glass on the first three floors is bird-friendly, featuring a subtle pattern to help birds avoid the glass. When the leasing gallery opens in April, a model apartment and the building’s first-floor amenities, including a pickleball/basketball court and sports lounge, will be completed and available for tours.
Optima Verdana will feature one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments with an average size of 1,499 square feet to give residents more flex space for ever-changing lifestyles. The boutique building will also feature 8,000 square feet of street-level retail space, as well as a publicly accessible plaza with an original eight-foot sculpture by Optima CEO and Co-Founder David Hovey Sr., FAIA.
Inspired by the word “verdure” (meaning lush, green vegetation) Optima Verdana marks the Chicago-area debut of the latest evolution of Optima’s signature vertical landscaping system, which was developed in Arizona but modified to accommodate the Midwest’s four seasons. In what will be a first for the developer in the Chicago area, Optima Verdana plants will stay green year-round and be maintained by Optima’s property management team. The self-containing irrigation and drainage system promotes evaporative cooling, re-oxygenates the air, reduces dust and smog levels, decreases ambient noise and detains stormwater.
From start to finish, Optima Verdana will embody a 360-degree approach to sustainability. The building is being constructed to achieve two Green Globes through the Green Globes® building certification, an alternative to LEED certification that promotes lower energy and water consumption, reduced emissions and optimized health and wellness benefits for residents, all while minimizing waste. In addition to being built with green concrete, Optima Verdana adheres to sustainable practices through its highly energy-efficient VRF heating and cooling mechanical system. Optima has also made the bold move of reducing gas emissions by outfitting residences with environmentally friendly and energy-efficient induction cooktops and outdoor electric grills.
The seventh-floor sky deck, which will open with the second floor in July, will offer sweeping views and a range of health and wellness amenities, including a heated, glass-enclosed lap pool designed for year-round use with retractable glass walls that open onto the sundeck; complimentary pool towel service; a spa and sauna; barbecues and herb gardens; bocce court; firepits and lounge areas; a party room with chef’s kitchen; residents’ club; and game room.
Indoor amenities will include a pickleball/basketball court; fitness center with cardio and strength-training equipment, plus free weights with complimentary towel service; a yoga room and massage room; golf simulator and sports lounge with large screen TVs; children’s play area; pet park and spa; library lounge; and multiple work-from-home spaces, including conference rooms and a business center. Wi-Fi will run throughout amenity spaces, and residents can choose from multiple data providers. Fitness programming will include yoga and mindfulness, Pilates, high-intensity interval training (HIIT) classes, water aerobics and personal training.
Optima Inc. has expanded its property management and leasing capabilities to its projects in Chicago. Despite being owner, architect, developer and general contractor for its properties in Chicago and Arizona, Optima previously only handled property management services for its Arizona communities.
Now the company will take on property management and leasing for its three Class A rental buildings in the Chicago area: Optima Signature, Optima Lakeview and Optima Wilmette. David Hovey Jr., Optima’s president & COO, said in prepared remarks that it was a natural progression for Optima to bring management in house as the company expands its Chicago area portfolio.
With Optima Signature being the only completed community, Optima will kick off its property management services there by offering resident services and virtual event programming that includes housekeeping, pet care, car care, virtual fitness classes and room and bar service.
Located at 220 E. Illinois St., Optima Signature opened its doors in 2017. The 57-story luxury rental development offers 490 units through studios, convertibles, one-, two- and three-bedroom floorplans. The property’s amenities include a fitness center, resident lounge, children’s play area, running track, dog park, outdoor kitchen, sports courts and indoor and outdoor pools. Residents also get direct access to the nearby Whole Foods from the building.
Optima Inc.’s construction team has topped off Optima Verdana, a six-story luxury apartment building at 1210 Central Ave. in Wilmette. Pre-leasing for the 100-unit building will begin in early May, with move-ins starting in July.
CHICAGO, IL – Furthering its best-in-class business model of “doing it all,” design-driven real estate development firm Optima, Inc. announced today it will lead property management and leasing services at three Chicagoland Class A rental buildings – its 490-unit Optima Signature mixed-use development in Chicago’s Streeterville neighborhood, the under-construction 198-unit Optima Lakeview in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood, and its upcoming 109-unit building in downtown Wilmette, Ill., along Chicago’s North Shore.
While Optima has served as the owner, architect, developer and general contractor for its properties in Chicago and Arizona for more than 40 years, the firm primarily focused its property management services at its Scottsdale, Ariz. rental communities, including the two-tower, 363-unit Optima Kierland Apartments and the five-building, 768-unit Optima Sonoran Village.
“As we expand our portfolio in the Chicago area with two new luxury apartments in development, it is a natural progression to bring management in-house, enabling us to provide the same level of exceptional service we’ve perfected at our Arizona communities,” said David Hovey Jr., AIA, president and COO of Optima, Inc. “Optima Signature residents will quickly recognize our commitment to the resident experience, because as the designer, builder, and property manager, we are able to create a truly holistic experience, tailored to their preferences.”
To kick off its property management services at Optima Signature this month, Optima has unveiled a full roster of resident services and virtual event programming such as housekeeping, pet care, car care, virtual fitness classes, and room service and barista service through Pear Chef.
Optima Signature
Open since 2017 and just steps from Michigan Avenue and the Riverwalk, Optima Signature is a 57-story luxury rental development at 220 E. Illinois St. with 490 studio, convertible, one-, two- and three-bedroom units with 1.5 acres of amenity space.
Optima Signature’s first-class amenities include resort-style indoor and outdoor heated swimming pools; cabanas and bars; a cutting-edge fitness center with saunas, steam rooms and WELLBEATS™ virtual workout studio; resident lounge with coffee bar; basketball, squash and bocce ball courts; and golf simulator and putting green. On a separate floor, residents can access cardio and strength-training equipment, a yoga studio, locker rooms with both steam and shower and indoor children’s play area.
Outdoor amenities feature multiple terraces with 16 fire pits, new heat lamps to enable more outdoor time during the cold weather months, a 40-yard running track, dog park, children’s play area, whirlpool spa, cabanas, lounge seating, televisions, co-ed sauna and steam rooms, a kitchen, grilling stations and dining areas.
Building residents also have convenient access to a suite of concierge services, including Optima’s own Optimized Service® contact-free in-home package delivery; Optima Connect®, which offers exclusive benefits and discounts to Optima residents at local businesses.
Optima Signature’s retail tenants include Egg Harbor Café, a restaurant specializing in breakfast, brunch and lunch; Guidepost Montessori at Magnificent Mile, offering education for infants through elementary school; GoodVets Streeterville, a full-service veterinarian redefining pet care; and Bedazzled Nails & Spa – all of which have remained open and operating in accordance with CDC guidelines.
As an added perk, residents can access a Whole Foods Market without ever having to leave the building. Visit www.optimasignature.com for in-person or virtual tours and leasing information.
Optima Lakeview
Scheduled to open in spring 2022 at 3460 N. Broadway, Optima Lakeview is a seven-story transit-oriented development (TOD) of 198 one-, two- and three-bedroom units with 14,000 square feet of street-level retail in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood within walking distance of Lake Michigan and Wrigley Field.
Optima Lakeview’s 40,000-square-feet of amenities will be spread across the building and include a rooftop sky deck with pool, spa, terrace and party room; a striking glass-enclosed atrium; indoor basketball court; golf simulator and putting green; fitness center with state-of-the-art equipment; yoga/stretching room; sports lounge; dog park and pet spa; children’s play area; game room; demonstration kitchen; two conference rooms; and a business center. Residents can use the 94 fully enclosed parking spaces at grade level and storage for 208 bicycles.
Wilmette
Construction is set to start later this year on a new development of 109 luxury one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments and 8,000 square feet of street-level retail at 1210 Central Ave. in downtown Wilmette, Ill. The location across the street from the Metra commuter train station at Green Bay Road will be ideal for North Shore commuters. Amenities will include a rooftop sky deck and pool, residential courtyard and a suite of additional amenities. The building will also have 173 parking spaces, including some electric vehicle charging stations.
The Wilmette development will showcase Optima’s innovative vertical landscaping system – well known at its Arizona communities – with hand-selected plants that will stay green year-round, even during the most extreme weather conditions. First move-ins are planned for 2023.
It’s not about the amenities offered, it’s about the camaraderie of residents, what the amenity represents to each resident and the community’s ability to adapt when needed.
Yes, amenity use has changed during the past three years and has shaped how some amenities will, or won’t, be utilized in the future.
Owners, management teams and others have needed to alter their operations and offerings based on resident lifestyles, which might have changed while living in the community.
These adjustments have resulted in more amenity choices for residents, some new to the community, and some to make better use of a former amenity space.
Growing in Popularity
Is it a craze or here to stay? Pickleball has taken the country by storm during recent years. The Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) announced in February pickleball was the fastest-growing sport in the U.S. for the third consecutive year.
The number of players has jumped significantly as well. There were 4.8 million players in the U.S. over the age of six, according to the 2022 SFIA report, but that has increased to 8.9 million in the latest report.
The number of courts is also increasing. According to USA Pickleball, there are more than 44,000 courts, up from more than 38,000 in 2021. Pickleball-registered facilities witnessed a jump as well, from 9,167 to 10,724.
“One amenity trend that is here to stay is pickleball,” says Josh Kassing, Senior Vice President at Mary Cook Associates, a national interior architecture and design firm. “It’s one of the few sports that nearly everyone can play and pick up quickly. Its popularity spans generations, so kids, parents and grandparents can compete together.”
While the excitement and hype are there, a pickleball court must make sense operationally. Community location is a determining factor as well. Raul Tamez, Sr. Director of Development based in Greystar’s Newport Beach, Calif., office, says pickleball is here to stay; however, “I can’t imagine adding pickleball courts because space is at such a premium in Southern California. I could see single-family rentals adding pickleball because it is more community oriented and accessible than tennis, but even in a single-family community the popping is very loud, so if you aren’t careful with acoustics then it can get very loud.”
Optima is meeting residents’ demand for entertainment—and started on the pickleball trend early. Dating back several years, Optima was stripping basketball courts to make room for pickleball courts. “Residents at Optima Lakeview [in Chicago] have created their own pickleball club and we’ve brought in pickleball instructors for seminars and scrimmages, as well,” says David Hovey Jr., AIA, President, COO and Principal Architect at Optima.
As fast as pickleball is growing in the U.S., not every community needs a new pickleball court. There are numerous factors that determine if a community has a pickleball court like any other amenity or community offering: It must be feasible.
“The goal is to make the amenity usable, instead of just a box to check on the website,” says Kassing. “People have found value in outdoor spaces but will only choose to use them if they are done well. You need to consider things like climate—temperature, sunlight and wind protection – as well as functionality and flexibility.”
Pickleball can be played indoors and outdoors, so weather is an extremely important item to consider. It must also make financial sense. While the sport is the fastest growing in the country, “we haven’t seen the growth of pickleball in all levels of apartments or communities. Its growth has been reserved for more affluent demographics, not budget-focused or affordable housing, certainly,” says Victor Body-Lawson FAIA, Founding Principal of Body Lawson Associates. He says that could change in the future.
Optima and Hovey Jr. noticed this trend formulating, so they designed an outdoor pickleball arena at 7190 Kierland in Scottsdale, Ariz. “Demand has been high for pickleball in Arizona, and we’re excited to host resident tournaments and build additional resident programming around this amenity. Optima residents can’t seem to get enough of pickleball – they’re thrilled to have easy access to this fun sport right in their own backyard.” But to combat the dry, summer heat, Optima also offers indoor pickleball courts in Scottsdale as well as at its Chicagoland communities: Optima Lakeview and the latest Optima Verdana, delivering in July 2023.
“Similar to tennis, it’s a significant amount of space that is devoted to a single very specific use,” says Brad Lutz, Managing Principal of Chicago and Multifamily/Residential Practice Leader for Baker Barrios. “This really bucks nearly all other amenity trends, which have a fair amount of emphasis on blurring the lines between spaces and also allowing flexibility between uses. Or at least easy convertibility to another use.”
Converting old, unused amenities doesn’t have to be a new trend in the industry. “Flexibility is the name of the game. The best return on investment is a space that can serve multiple functions,” says Lutz.
Keeping up with current amenity trends is an important way to avoid being placed in similar situations that can be seen today in the industry.
It’s not just about the court. Communities also feature amenities surrounding pickleball areas. Kassing says they are adding indoor viewing areas where residents can socialize between games as well as shuffleboard and similar multi-generational activities.
Multi-Use
One of the reasons communities and other businesses are making changes is because amenities aren’t always future-proof. The vision needed to avoid tennis courts currently being turned into pickleball courts was not readily available. But multifamily professionals are trying to not let that happen again.
While not necessarily future-proofing, industry professionals are making sure amenities can be multi-use. “The inclusion of pickleball courts in a community should be studied based on the geography and target audience,” says Grayson Silver, Managing Partner of Tampa and Mixed-Use and Student Housing Practice Leader for Baker Barrios. “Suburban area developments offer greater flexibility in land area without impacting traditional outdoor amenities. They can also be easily converted to other amenities should the development operations determine it is not being utilized as frequently as desired. In an urban setting, land is more valuable and ROI on amenities needs to be more carefully considered.”
The mixed- or multi-use aspect of pickleball courts gives them a better opportunity to stay long term.
“In general, the reintroduction of sports courts feels like it’s here to stay, particularly if a court can be multi-use, such as a squash court with a basketball hoop that can serve a wider array of residents,” says Alison Mills, Vice President of Design and Development at CRG. “Multi-use outdoor spaces are key. An outdoor lawn that is thoughtfully designed to accommodate yoga, outdoor fitness, lounging and games will have a much higher ROI than a single-use attraction. Outdoor co-working spaces are also highly sought after, as people continue to take their work home. We are also exploring a branded, property-specific bike-share or e-scooter fleet to provide to residents who want to get around easily and sustainably.”
It’s not just former tennis courts making the natural misnomer progression to pickleball courts. “We have clients integrating pickleball courts into existing parking lots, tennis courts and other outdoor areas using temporary systems, but no one is devoting permanent space to them. The trend seems to be to keep things flexible, and options open,” says Joshua Zinder, AIA, Managing Partner with JZA+D.
There’s a reason pickleball has caught on at such a rapid pace. “It’s a universal activity that evens the playing field, regardless of a player’s physicality or age,” says Lauren Werkiser, Design Director at Morgan Properties. The smaller court and the paddles rather than rackets are among the reasons. “We’ve been converting old tennis and basketball courts to pickleball courts for years, even prior to the pandemic. It’s nice to see a younger audience now embracing the game and all generations get to enjoy the sport together.”
