Connected workstations and meeting rooms will become more common amenities as multifamily developers accommodate work-from-home arrangements at properties such as The Cove in Hingham. Photo by Gregory Schupe | Alliance Residential

Over the past 10 years, the multifamily sector has been undergoing a broad transition as it responds to changing trends in America’s renters, particularly with regard to amenity programming. 

The population’s needs and desires continue to shift, particularly in how Americans work and enjoy their leisure time. Additionally, the middle-aged and empty nester population has become more accustomed to rental living and is a much larger portion of the target market. They bring their own specific needs to the marketplace. 

With the introduction of COVID-19, many of these trends have become accelerated and are expected to continue to impact the multifamily going forward. COVID-19 has also brought new elements to the table, as we’re seeing a desire for more space and some shifts from urban to suburban markets. Renters are working from home as much as ever, and the traditional separation between work and home lives, which previously had become blurred, has now been largely removed for many. 

Redesigns Reflect Lingering Effects 

In Boston, some of these trends will be exacerbated due to the nature of our population and workforce. Urban Land Institute has labelled Boston as a multitalented metro area in its 2021 Emerging Trends report. In fact, ULI identified the top 10 real estate markets, and Boston and Washington, D.C. are the only two 24-hour cities to make the list. Greater Boston’s “eds and meds” sectors will allow for continued strong performance in our broader economy and will reinforce some of the changes we’re seeing in the business. 

In 2021, we anticipate a continuation of heavily amenitized multifamily communities, but some of the more durable effects of the pandemic stand to shift and accelerate those programming trends.  

For example, residents who move to the suburbs may still desire many parts of an urban lifestyle like walkability and convenience to shops, restaurants and public transit. Connectivity will continue to be critical as some employers embrace more flexible work schedules, or even permanent work-from-home positions. Finally, adjusting designs for common programming and some specific unit types will be necessary to accommodate longer-term changes to a resident’s work/play balance. 

Coworking, Elbowroom Important 

One of the more durable impacts we’re anticipating is a continuation in work-from-home policies, even if only part-time.  

We’ve seen an increase in residents’ desire for a variety of areas to comfortably work. We expect the more traditional coworking spaces to remain important, as at our newest community at The Cove in Hingham, where we’ve provided fully connected workstations, private nooks and meeting rooms, but we also see an opportunity to adjust more typical common amenities.  

Whether reviewing materials on a tablet comfortably in the lounge or jumping into a more private space to handle a conference call, we’re finding our customers are happy to have the option to utilize the sky lounge balcony, media suites and courtyards. 

Mike Bojoulian

We’ll need to be mindful of the future generations of these spaces that were successful for leisure, but now will need to serve multiple roles, while also recognizing some spaces will need to stay dedicated to leisure only to maintain a healthy work-life balance. 

Where the migration to the suburbs is really about more space, connections to outdoor amenities like the 480-acre Bare Cove Park need to be accentuated, as we’ve done with The Cove’s private boardwalk access. Larger pool decks and enhanced, more open outdoor dining amenities are also expected.  

Accommodating our customer with larger spaces and more flexibility in programming had been ongoing for years, the pandemic has helped push them along into the next generation. We see these trends continuing, and the communities that best adapt to these changes in our business will continue to see the most success. 

Mike Boujoulian is a managing director at Alliance Residential.