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.”

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On time to meet the increase in demand for elevated apartment living on Chicago’s North Shore, design-driven real estate development firm Optima, Inc. announced the opening of its on-site leasing gallery at Optima Verdana®, the company’s latest luxury rental community located in Downtown Wilmette, Illinois. Optima Verdana®’s leasing gallery at 1210 Central Ave. is now open for private appointments. The community will welcome its first residents in July, and is already over 30% leased before opening its doors to walk-ins and prospective residents on May 17.

Optima Verdana® comprises 100 thoughtfully designed, one-, two-, three-bedroom and penthouse residences ranging in size from 660 to 2,790 square feet with monthly rents ranging from $2,950 to nearly $12,000. Designed by Optima® CEO and Founder David Hovey Sr., FAIA, the building boasts striking contemporary design, extensive amenities and abundant greenery, which sets the property apart from anything else offered on the North Shore.

Offered in two distinctive finish packages, the residences feature floor-to-ceiling windows outfitted with roller shades; 10-foot luxury plank flooring throughout; chef-inspired kitchens with Fisher & Paykel appliances and Kohler fixtures; custom built-in storage throughout; wine fridges; spacious pantries; and bathrooms with free-standing soaking tubs and separate water closets across most floor plans. Private residential terraces available in most homes range from 65 to 931 square feet in size and include firepits and quick-heating electric grills in select residences.

The elevated living experience at Optima Verdana extends beyond the design and finishes of this community to include an extraordinary service experience for residents. All residents will enjoy the experience of Optima’s complimentary concierge program, Optimized Service®, which includes white-glove, in-home package delivery, grocery delivery and plant watering. Residents can also easily schedule on-demand services through the Optima Verdana® mobile app, such as housekeeping, pet care, virtual personal assistant, fitness classes, private chef, on-site massage service and more. In addition, Optima Connect® enhances residents’ lives by offering exclusive discounts for area restaurants and retailers.

Optima Verdana® also raises the bar when it comes to green features and biophilic thinking. The community gets its name from “verdure” (meaning lush green vegetation) and incorporates the latest sustainable technology such as green concrete and bird-friendly glass. Optima Verdana® will achieve Two Green Globes certification through the use of sustainable VRF heating and cooling systems, eco-friendly induction cooktops, and outdoor electric grills to further reduce gas emissions. Optima Verdana® features the Chicago-region debut of Optima®’s proprietary exterior vertical landscaping system. Pioneered at the firm’s Arizona projects, the self-contained irrigation and drainage system has been modified to suit Chicago’s four-season climate and remain green year-round. In addition to providing residents with a connection to nature, the plantings promote evaporative cooling, re-oxygenate the air, reduce dust and smog levels, decrease ambient noise and detain stormwater.

Indoor amenities include a 24-hour front door person; pickleball/basketball court; fitness center with cardio and strength-training equipment, plus free weights with complimentary towel service; a yoga room; massage room; golf simulator and sports lounge; kids’ playroom; pet park and spa; library lounge; and multiple work-from-home spaces, including conference rooms and a business center. Fitness programming will include yoga and mindfulness, Pilates, high-intensity interval training classes, water aerobics and personal training.

A seventh-floor sky deck, which will open this summer, offers a range of health and wellness amenities including a heated, glass-enclosed lap pool and spa designed for year-round use with retractable glass walls that open onto the sundeck; complimentary pool towel service; a sauna; barbecue grills; two herb gardens; a bocce court; firepits and lounge areas; a party room with chef’s kitchen; residents’ club; and game room.

Located across Green Bay Road from the Wilmette Metra commuter train station, Optima Verdana® is ideally positioned for North Shore commuters, featuring 176 parking spaces, as well as electric vehicle charging stations.

A publicly accessible plaza at the southeast corner of Optima Verdana® is home to a recently installed eight-foot original sculpture by David Hovey Sr. titled Curves and Voids. Hovey’s art has been featured prominently at Optima®’s communities since he began working with steel to create sculptural pieces that complement Optima®’s architectural spaces.

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Optima, Inc. has opened its on-site leasing gallery at Optima Verdana, the company’s latest luxury rental community located in downtown Wilmette, IL on Chicago’s North Shore. The community will open to residents in July, and is already more than 30% leased before opening its doors to walk-ins and prospective residents on May 17.

Designed by Optima CEO and founder David Hovey Sr., Optima Verdana comprises 100 one-, two- and three-bedroom and penthouse residences with monthly rents ranging from $2,950 to nearly $12,000.

“There is a major trend at play with those looking to downsize from their single-family homes in favor of the luxury and convenience of the Optima rental lifestyle,” said Hovey. “We’re excited to be able to offer prospective residents a chance to enjoy the community’s unmatched location, services and amenities, and to be able to meet the pent-up demand for large, well-appointed apartment homes.”

Meet industry experts at the upcoming Connect Midwest: Multifamily and Adaptive Reuse Trends, which takes place June 13, 2023 at the W Chicago City Center Hotel. Click here for more information and to register.

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Optima, Inc. has announced the opening of its on-site leasing gallery at Optima Verdana, the company’s latest luxury rental community located at 1210 Central Ave in downtown Wilmette. With the building set to welcome its first residents in July, units are already over 30% leased before opening its doors to walk-ins and prospective residents on May 17.

Optima Verdana comprises 100 residences split into one-beds, two-beds, three-beds, and penthouses ranging in size from 660 to 2,790 square feet with monthly rents ranging from $2,950 to nearly $12,000. Designed by Optima, the contemporary building is clad in a glass facade and abundant greenery.

The building has incorporated the latest sustainable technology and even gets its name from “verdure” – which means lush green vegetation. The building’s structure is made up of a green concrete, the facade uses bird-friendly glass, and the building will achieve a Green Globes 2-Globes certification by using VRF heating and cooling systems, eco-friendly induction cooktops, and outdoor electric grills to further reduce gas emissions.

Optima Verdana will also feature the Chicago-region debut of Optima’s proprietary exterior vertical landscaping system. Pioneered at the firm’s Arizona projects, the self-contained irrigation and drainage system has been modified to suit Chicago’s four-season climate and remain green year-round. In addition to providing residents with a connection to nature, the plantings promote evaporative cooling, re-oxygenate the air, reduce dust and smog levels, decrease ambient noise and detain stormwater.

On the interior, two finish packages will distinguish units which all come with floor-to-ceiling windows outfitted with roller shades; 10” luxury plank flooring throughout; chef-inspired kitchens with Fisher & Paykel appliances and Kohler fixtures; custom built-in storage throughout; wine fridges; spacious pantries; and bathrooms with free-standing soaking tubs and separate water closets across most floor plans. Private residential terraces available in most homes range from 65 to 931 square feet in size and include fire pits and quick-heating electric grills in select residences.

Indoor amenities include a 24-hour front door person; pickleball/basketball court; fitness center with cardio and strength-training equipment, plus free weights with complimentary towel service; a yoga room; massage room; golf simulator and sports lounge; kids’ playroom; pet park and spa; library lounge; and multiple work-from-home spaces, including conference rooms and a business center. Fitness programming will include yoga and mindfulness, Pilates, high-intensity interval training classes, water aerobics and personal training.

A seventh-floor sky deck, which will open this summer, offers a range of health and wellness amenities including a heated, glass-enclosed lap pool and spa designed for year-round use with retractable glass walls that open onto the sundeck; complimentary pool towel service; a sauna; barbecue grills; two herb gardens; a bocce court; firepits and lounge areas; a party room with chef’s kitchen; residents’ club; and game room.

Located across Green Bay Road from the Wilmette Metra commuter train station, Optima Verdana® is ideally positioned for North Shore commuters, featuring 176 parking spaces, as well as electric vehicle charging stations.

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In many metros and suburban markets, luxury living means for-sale apartments that start at $1 million and rentals that are also uber-expensive. One recent for-sale listing in Boston’s chic Back Bay neighborhood was listed at almost $6 million; a San Francisco Pacific Heights rental was marketed at $10,000 a month.

Luxury doesn’t merely equate to dollars spent, though. There’s also a perception that a building, and what’s inside it, offers its occupants the best, says Mary Cook of commercial interiors design firm Mary Cook Associates, which collaborates with home builders.

Today, there’s another challenge for those working in this niche, says Cook. “There’s a greater tug of war between what goes into the units and amenity spaces because of the cost of building Class A structures. Costs for materials, labor, land and services are all rising,” she says, adding, “Everybody wants the best, and choices often depend on the demographic’s values and the project’s location.” In Salt Lake City, where outdoor activities are plentiful, a gear closet for ski and board storage is important. In a downtown site, a spacious roof deck with outdoor space, plantings and stunning views could add more value, Cook says.

©Peter Frank Edwards, The Beach Company

Those developing and designing properties at the high end plan their budgets, too, to appeal to this demographic, says architect Michael E. Liu, senior partner and design principal at architecture firm The Architectural Team (TAT).

Luxury owners and renters aren’t the only beneficiaries. Many choices eventually trickle down and become more widespread and affordable for a larger pool of residents. Following are seven categories that set luxury buildings apart.

Location

Location still ranks high in the luxury space. Safety, walkability, access to greenery and superior views top the location list, says Ximena Rodriguez, principal and director of interior design at CetraRuddy in New York City. The 200 Amsterdam Avenue condominium building there, for which her firm served as interior designer, offers luxury in its proximity to Lincoln Center’s cultural offerings and Central Park.

Prize locations are also emphasized through materials, scale, detailing and fenestration, says architect John W. Schenck AIA, LEED AP of Svigals + Partners, in New Haven, Conn. The site for The Mark rental building designed by architecture firm AO plays up the historic district of Riverside, Calif., by showcasing views of the iconic Fox Theater and Mission Inn, says firm architect Michael Heinrich, AIA, Principal. Its stepped-back facade adds its own visual imprint to the streetscape. In downtown Philadelphia, Dranoff Properties’ Arthaus condominium building offers walkability in the arts district.

©Binyan Studios

Suburbs have prime locations, too. The Finger Companies’ new The Quin rental building in Schaumburg, Ill., outside Chicago, is close to many corporate headquarters, a Topgolf entertainment venue, and highways to downtown and to O’Hare International Airport.

Residents will pay a premium for a desirable location, says Dan Doyle, senior vice president and COO at The Beach Company in Charleston, S.C. His company’s 12-story rental The Jasper in that city’s downtown offers panoramic water views and sits adjacent to a park and playground. “It’s the gateway to the historic district,” he says.

Size and Square Footage

The scale and square footage of areas from the shared spaces to the individual units can also convey a feeling of luxury, Rodriguez says. Some larger, detailed buildings stand out in their neighborhood or skyline, she says. Robert A.M. Stern Architect’s 15 Central Park West building in Manhattan has a recognizable classic limestone facade and canopied bronze entry door that mirrors the class of nearby older buildings. In Charleston, a city known for historic preservation, The Jasper’s facade mimics Old World wealth with 1,600 precast panels that use concrete clad with thin brick. Optima Verdana, a 100-unit, six-story building designed, developed and managed by Optima Inc. that opens soon in the Chicago suburb of Wilmette, Ill., presents spacious layouts and features similar to those of a custom single-family home.

Materials

Configuration and aesthetic are as important as the materials themselves. “It might be the way a beautiful marble is installed, a special glass is used in cabinets or an island is constructed,” says Rodriguez.

Sustainability and wellness have become more important, with choices veering toward low-volatility paints and carpeting, FSC-certified woods, and LED lighting and controls. Dranoff’s Arthaus is said to be Philadelphia’s first biophilic development, with personal garden plots and a professional greenhouse. The Jasper emphasizes big windows and natural light. If there’s a common denominator in what luxury looks like, it’s cleaner, lighter and without a Mediterranean edge, says real estate salesperson Kevin Spina of Keyes Real Estate in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.

Amenities

Over the past five to 10 years, lines have blurred between amenities at the for-sale and rental luxury levels, says Liu. As with a single-family home, curb appeal starts at the sidewalk, with features like upscale landscaping, lighting and walkways, and continues through the lobby and shared spaces and up to the terraces and rooftops.

The most luxe shared spaces also incorporate the latest trends borrowed from hotels and resorts, such as wine and liquor cabinets, beehives and edible gardens.

Workspaces are available in units and also in amenity rooms, where luxury finishes and office perks like coffee bars and plush furnishings are available, says designer Carrie Tolman, associate principal with Chicago architecture firm KTGY’s interior design studio. Some buildings allow residents to purchase cabanas for privacy, says Spina. At The Quin, residents can rent furnished guest suites, so their guests enjoy privacy, says Hunter Wagner, The Finger Companies’ executive vice president of asset management.

©Stonehill Taylor

Because of today’s emphasis on healthfulness, activities abound: Squash, basketball, pickleball, indoor and outdoor pools, and golf simulators are favorites. At The Quin, a gated 2 1/2-acre park has lighted walking trails, benches, picnic tables, two dog parks and native trees and specimen plantings. And gardens also aid healthy outlooks and bodies. Optima Verdana, in Wilmette, includes exterior hanging gardens designed to remain green year-round in its four-season surroundings.

Some buildings, particularly in South Florida, focus on kids through themed play and learning rooms, toddler splash pads, over-the-top playgrounds, miniature golf courses, sports courts and outdoor theaters. Miami’s One Park Tower by Turnberry features a crystal clear 7-acre lagoon.

More buildings are also incorporating food and dining options, through a hotel dining room or restaurant or a convenience store, often with healthy options, says designer Katherine Berger, Director of Design at Svigals + Partners. Many terraces and rooftops also have top-notch kitchen equipment that mirrors quality indoor appliances and allows residents to be their own chef.

The best of technology is a must-have as well, with strong bandwidth and smart-home features that residents can control from their mobile devices. Many buildings have added customized apps to track deliveries, schedule repairs and communicate with staff or other residents, says Doyle.

Unit Features

Luxuries show up in handcrafted materials, extra-high ceilings, oversized windows, bigger glass walls to the outside, the best kitchen and bathroom appliances and fixtures, water conservation and energy efficiency considerations, multiple fireplaces and balconies, detailed moldings and trims, and oversized closets. But owners prefer to outfit closets themselves, says Alexander Donovan, senior project manager at TAT. Anything that can be done to decrease upkeep gains favor, like The Jasper’s use of wood or luxury vinyl planking rather than carpet.

Some developers, like Harvey Hernandez, founder and CEO of Newgard Development Group, fully furnish units as a luxury perk. The company’s Lofty Brickell in Miami is furnished with Italian mattresses and German appliances, he says. If buyers want to make selections, they can receive a furniture credit, he adds. Of the building’s 362 condos, 92% have been presold.

Services and Programs

Services and programs are also borrowed from the hospitality sector as more condos and rentals are constructed within hotels. Raffles Residences in Boston, designed by TAT, is one example. Other names that convey status in the luxury residential niche include the Baccarat Residences, Casa Bella Residences by B&B Italia, Waldorf Astoria, the Ritz-Carlton, the Standard Residences and Aston Martin Residences.

Service may come from the equivalent of a concierge or doorperson who walks a resident’s dog, delivers dinner or parks a car. At The Jasper, two concierges plan events such as bourbon tastings, says Doyle. Other specialists on staff or contract provide massages, pedicures, manicures and fitness training in a home, says Tolman, whose firm recently completed renovations at the Waldorf Astoria Chicago.

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