Once per year, KEPHART closes for a dedicated Research & Development Day – an opportunity for employees to hone their skills in efforts to provide an even more rewarding experience for our clients. This year, a group of KEPHART-ians explored the role of amenity spaces in creating a sense of community within apartment complexes. By touring seven properties across the metro area and engaging with local leasing professionals, we identified three key insights for developers to consider when designing their next multifamily residential project.
Timeless Amenities: The Essentials Residents Expect
Unsurprisingly certain amenities are timeless and are MUSTs when it comes to multifamily residential spaces. When asked about the most popular spaces at their properties, nearly every leasing professional we spoke with cited gyms and pools. While this insight isn’t groundbreaking, it underscores an essential point: these staple amenities are critical, especially if economic constraints limit the number of spaces a developer can offer.
These facilities don’t need to be extravagant but should be well-designed and functional to ensure regular use. For developers looking to stand out, incorporating unique features like saunas could be worthwhile. According to leasing professionals, saunas are one of the most requested yet rarely available amenities—a potential differentiator for attracting residents.
Activation: Turning Spaces into Hubs of Community
Simply providing amenities isn’t enough to foster a true sense of community—these spaces need to be activated to encourage interaction and belonging. Across metro Denver, many apartment complexes offer standard amenities like clubhouses, gyms, and business centers, making it difficult to differentiate solely on the presence of these spaces. They are important – as mentioned above- but this factor alone will not drive lease renewals.
Country Club Towers stood out as an excellent example of how activation transforms a space into a community hub. During our visit, we saw residents using the community room for work, collaboration, and relaxation. The property prominently displayed signs promoting resident events, and leasing staff greeted residents by name, demonstrating a genuine sense of connection.
Notably, the property extended its amenities to guests, encouraging activities like using the carwash during visits. This not only enhanced the sense of community among residents but also made the Towers a desirable place for social gatherings. For new arrivals to the area, the activated amenity spaces provided a seamless way to build connections without ever leaving the building.
Versatility of Spaces is Key
The properties we toured showcased a range of approaches to amenity spaces, from standard offerings like pools and gyms to more niche additions such as golf simulators, podcast studios, and karaoke rooms. While unique amenities can attract attention, their broader appeal and long-term value should be carefully considered.
Versatility emerged as a key factor in determining the success of these spaces. For instance, a karaoke room could easily be repurposed as a workspace or coffee nook, making it a better investment than a golf simulator, which lacked the same adaptability. Developers should prioritize amenities that can serve multiple functions, catering to diverse resident needs and enhancing the overall value of the property.
Designing for Connection and Flexibility
Amenity spaces play a crucial role in creating community within multifamily residential properties. By incorporating timeless features, activating spaces to foster interaction, and designing versatile amenities, developers can elevate the living experience for residents while improving retention and appeal.
As our Research & Development Day highlighted, it’s not just about offering amenities—it’s about using them strategically to create places where people want to live, connect, and thrive. At KEPHART, we’re excited to continue helping our partners develop communities that prioritize both functionality and the human experience.
