30 Upscale Apartment Amenities that Fetch Higher Rental Rates

July 30, 2018 Washington DC

Investors: Would you like your future tenants to pay you higher rents?

Want to shorten sales cycles, keep your inbox full with prospect inquiries and sign leases faster? Then you might want to rethink your design and remodeling strategy.

Today, luxury renters are looking for more than an apartment or condo. They’re looking for lifestyle solutions and ways to simplify their lives. They want convenience, and they want luxury apartment amenities.

The more amenities you can offer, the more they’ll want to rent from you rather than the investor around the corner.

From entertainment options to green living choices to pet-friendly amenities and convenient technology, here are 30 upscale community and apartment amenities that make prospective luxury renters say yes.

Entertainment amenities

Today’s social seekers are all about entertaining. As an investor, you’ll be ahead of the curve with public spaces for socializing and entertaining. At City Market at O Street, for example, D.C. luxury tenants can take a dip in an infinity pool then meet friends and family for a cappuccino at the on-site espresso bar—all in the convenience of their multifamily home community. Top entertainment amenities include:

1. Espresso bars
2. Infinity pools and swimming pools
3. Rooftop decks
4. Outdoor dining and grilling areas
5. Rooftop lounges
6. Rooftop cafes serving snacks
7. Resident party rooms
8. Cinema lounges
9. Game rooms with Wii and PlayStation
10. Billiard Rooms 

Eco-friendly amenities

Green amenities such as cool roofs at Monroe Street Market can save money on air conditioning by keeping the urban heat out. They reduce power plant emissions by minimizing the use of cooling energy while cooling open spaces that don’t have air conditioning, says energy.gov. Green features tenants love:

1. Cool roofs
2. Vehicle charging stations
3. Green walls
4. Recycling centers

Pet-friendly amenities

At Arrive 2801, tenants can take their canines for some exercise and paw around with other dogs at the on-site dog park. Amenities for four-legged family members make tenant’s lives easier while also helping them connect with other pet owners in their apartment community, including:

5. On-site dog parks
6. In-house pet care
7. Doggy water fountains
8. Dog walking services
9. Pet grooming salons
10. Dog walking services

Sports and Fitness Amenities

Enclosed jogging tracks like the one at 2400 M Apartments NW, D.C., enable luxury building renters to get a lower body/cardio workout year-round without having to face the elements outside or make a trek to the gym in severe weather. Here are some fitness facilities luxury renters seek:

1. Enclosed jogging tracks
2. Rooftop jogging paths
3. Yoga studios
4. Golf simulators
5. Bocce Courts

Hi-Technology Amenities

Electronic garage access and keyless entry,  available at Cameron Court in Alexandria, VA., is convenient for both you and your tenants. If tenants misplace their keys, they won’t have to hunt you or your management company down to let them in the building. And with mobile devices and working at home make WiFi a coveted perk. Luxury tenants want:

6. Electronic garage and building access
7. Digital antennas for enhanced cell reception
8. Wi-Fi and iMac stations
9. Complimentary Wi-Fi in common areas
10. E-cafes with Wi-Fi hot spots

Want to know which amenities are best suited for your property and location? A knowledgeable rental manager can suggest smart amenities for your new design and remodeling plan, so you can begin collecting higher rents and attracting luxury renters.

– By Stacy Sare Cohen