Amenities have always been seen as the luxury of condominiums. Features that provide entertainment, promote fitness, or deliver a relaxing atmosphere are usually the ones that entice potential residents to a building. But what if these features go beyond entertaining or pampering us, and instead, help us reach our goals in life? What if these luxuries were designed to cater to our actual needs?
Nowadays, practical amenities have become a trend in many modern residences. Going beyond luxury, these features are aimed at helping us excel in our work, pursue our passions and improve our lifestyles. They provide more than just our basic needs yet they remain essential to us. Hence for some, paying condominium dues is but a worthy investment. Here are some of the best examples from around the world that show how amenities have become the practical luxuries of today.
A pet haven in Manhattan
Rich or poor, young and old, many people love taking care of animals. They offer us unconditional love and support and in some instances, they help us manage physical and emotional disorders. That is why for a lot of pet owners, animal-friendly establishments are essential to allow them to be with their animal companions as much as possible.
Thankfully, many residential buildings are now designed to cater to pets and pet lovers. The MiMa of New York, for example, offers amenities that cater well to our furry friends in the middle of the city. Short for Middle of Manhattan, MiMa is a 63-story tower designed by renowned design firm Arquitectonica. It offers indoor and outdoor spaces that are animal-friendly. The building has a Dog City Pet Center, where owners can have their beloved pets groomed, trained or taken care of while they head off to work. The Center reportedly has a bone-shaped pool as well, to the delight of dog lovers. Morever, owners can hire in-house services that offer dog walking and in-home feeding services to their pets.
It’s no wonder why a third of the building occupants are dog owners. The MiMa not only caters to its human residents, but also ensures that their pets are well-taken care of.
The Spoke Apartments in Chicago has the Virtual Cycling Studio where residents can cycle and engage in Peloton classes.
The biker’s dream home in Chicago
Chicago is fast becoming the ultimate biker’s destination in recent years. Catering to Milwaukee Avenue, a so-called “Hipster Highway” often filled with cyclists, the city has become more attuned to the needs of bikers. In particular, one residential building in the Windy City has become a fantastic model for buildings wishing to cater to bike aficionados. The Spoke Apartments not only emanates a love for cycling through its name, but also offers features that would make any passionate biker squeal with delight.
For one, the building has more than 350 bike parking spaces and offers a Virtual Cycling Studio, where residents can train with instructors from around the world to engage in Peloton workouts. In addition, Spoke Apartments offers a “bike kitchen” where cyclists can maintain their gear’s upkeep free of charge.
A telecommuting paradise in Washington
Working from home has become the new normal as the world continues to battle COVID-19. Thankfully, there are a lot of modern residences well-designed to cater to telecommuters and home-based employees. The Edison of Washington D.C., for example, provides its residents some of the best amenities well-suited to home-based professionals.
Designed by Maryland-based architectural firm SK+I Architecture, The Edison features co-working spaces and break-out rooms that can be used by residents. The property also has a well-staffed concierge and package acceptance center that can help residents who frequently receive deliveries for their work. Most importantly, the building offers high-speed fiber optic internet that can provide upload speeds of up to 980 Mbps. The Edison provides state-of-the-art fiber optic network that is professionally managed and serviced 24/7. This exemplary feature makes the property one of the best places to live in for those who need a stable and reliable internet service to survive.
The Amenity Bar of Maven at Capitol Commons provides various areas for residents to pursue their passions.
Philippines’ own ideal model
All over the world, architecture and property management are evolving to meet our modern needs. In the Philippines, various projects have also started to cater to our specific lifestyles. Providing more than luxury, these buildings turn amenities into our new normal essentials.
One such property is the Maven at Capitol Commons. A brainchild of real estate giant Ortigas Land, this 62-story residential tower features the “Anything Anytime” amenity program, which offers a wide array of features to improve their lifestyles. A chat room, craft room, media room, play room and an outdoor living room are just some of the numerous amenity areas made exclusive to the residents. These areas aim to give Maven’s inhabitants everything they need to be the best versions of themselves without having to venture far.
Overall, amenities have evolved to become more than entertainment venues. Gradually, they are becoming essentials in modern living as spaces become tight and people begin to have more unique needs. If you’re looking to live in a place that caters to your lifestyle, check out the amenities in your potential residence. Beyond luxury, these spaces have now become the sites where dreams are made.
Sources: Beyond My Ken via Wikimedia Commons, Cityrealty.com, Forbes.com, Spokeapartments.com, Skiarch.com