“What appeals to the new wave of renters and homeowners?” That’s the question on many condo developers’ minds, especially now that Millennials are buying property and Gen Z is driving rental demand. While we don’t have a crystal ball on hand, these amenities will likely define next-generation condo living.
Smart Thermostats
Gen Z understands that comfort is key to feeling at home. In the future, we expect all condo buildings to equip their properties with smart thermostats, allowing residents to control their home temperature from their smartphones with the touch of a button. After all, Gen Z has grown up with the convenience of technology and might not have the patience for traditional thermostats that aren’t the most user-friendly. Additionally, smart thermostats offer an easy way to conserve energy at home, which will appeal to this eco-conscious demographic.
Community Gardens
Even in the heart of the most bustling cities, it’s important to have a serene space in nature to escape to every now and then. Although communal rooftop terraces are a popular amenity nowadays, we see this space becoming even more green in the future. Gen Z and millennials increasingly embrace gardening, finding joy and pride in growing their own fruits, vegetables, and flowers. In the future, we predict outdoor condo spaces will become community gardens, and rooftop greenhouses will provide enthusiasts with accessible opportunities to engage with the hobby, even without a backyard.
Community Living
While wanting a sense of community isn’t just a Gen-Z thing, how they go about it is. Since 30% of young people reported feeling lonely at least once a week over the past year, we predict that spaces where neighbors can meet and interact offline and in person will become even more important. Whether they’re making new friends in a building’s private dog park or meeting someone special in line for an onsite coffee shop that offers discounts to residents, we anticipate a rise in innovative communal amenities designed to encourage social interaction.
Coworking Rooms
Like the real estate industry, the job market is changing as well. With 92% of Gen-Zers having remote work or study experience, a coworking space with areas for social interaction and quieter meeting pods is increasingly vital, especially for those who don’t need to go into an office. Having a shared space will provide a private area for Zoom calls, podcast recording, or focused study sessions, offering a retreat for productivity and personal privacy.
Streamlined Package Delivery and Pick Up
It’s the little things that make a condo building perfect, right? One way that condos and apartments can start to prioritize people’s changing needs is by creating safer, tech-friendly package management solutions. After all, 56% of Gen Z in the United States report that they prefer shopping online rather than in-store. Smart package locker systems will allow a building to eliminate clutter (no more mail rooms overflowing with stacks of boxes) and securely store deliveries from meal boxes to Amazon packages until pick up. Here’s how it works: the delivery person places the package in a smart locker, and the recipient gets a notification with an access code. The recipient inputs the code at the locker to retrieve the package, ensuring safe and organized storage.
Improved Fitness Spaces
It’s one thing to predict which amenities will be popular in condos, but what about those that might lose favor? As Gen-Z enters the rental market, we anticipate some changes in fitness amenities. For example, traditional pools have been a staple in condominiums for years and will still be appreciated, but there is likely to be a growing preference for advanced wellness features. Gen-Z is expected to favor amenities such as cold plunge pools and red-light therapy saunas.
Similarly, while tennis, basketball, and volleyball courts are valuable, activities like pickleball are becoming more popular, and having access to a private community court could be a significant attraction. As more people track their fitness, we also predict indoor walking tracks will gain popularity, encouraging residents to reach their daily step goals without worrying about weather.
Are you looking for the perfect condo? Give us a call today! One of the experienced agents at Zoocasa will be more than happy to help you through the exciting home-buying process!
