February 2022 Apartment News Magazine

Page 22

The Post-Covid Evolution of Amenities

Special from the National Apartment Association

The way the multifamily industry operates during the pandemic continues to evolve, and community amenities are no exception.

F

rom presenting online cooking classes to reconfiguring amenities spaces for social distancing compliance, rental housing and the amenities within the industry are changing. Are operators adapting as they should be? As with everything, the pandemic has forced the industry to re-evaluate what amenities communities offer and become more creative

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with which amenities are not only appropriate for the times but will last beyond COVID-19. However, that’s not necessarily a bad thing. It has opened new opportunities that weren’t even considered before, and in many ways, this is the industry’s time of enlightenment. During the 2021 Apartmentalize session, “The Post-COVID-19 Evolution of Amenities,” industry leaders discussed how they adapted quickly to the continuous changes, while keeping residents safe and engaged in our new normal. Three areas that operators can effectively adjust fit the times are by creating community spaces within buildings, making upgrades to apartment homes and providing community

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February 2022

BY ANDREW RUHLAND, LINNELLTAYLOR MARKETING

activities to instill a sense of camaraderie among residents.

Creating Community Spaces Within Buildings

This ties into putting an emphasis on health and wellness. Large windows that allow for maximum sunshine to pour in and promote light and open air flow are one way to encourage the use of community spaces within buildings. As people gather together in group settings, it is important operators take all the steps necessary to make residents feel safe and comfortable in doing so. There are now certifications, such as Fitwel, that buildings can attain if they meet certain criteria. “A lot of our commercial buildings have Fitwel certification,” said Raymond Van Beveren, Amenities — continued on page 22


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