Amenities and Technology Go Hand in Hand

Editorial Director Diana Mosher examines the technology features that won Gold awards in MHN's 2015 Excellence Awards.

Technology and amenities go hand in hand whether your multifamily property has been designed with Millennials in mind—or Baby Boomers—or anyone in between. Renters have certain expectations when selecting one apartment community over another, and now, more than ever, they are likely to include amenities related to technology. It’s the convenience of getting a text when it’s time to move the laundry to the dryer or knowing that you’re never far from a charging/docking station for your electronic devices or electric car. Certainly you’ll want the option to pay rent or place a service request 24/7.

In October, we hosted a cocktail reception at Club 101 in New York to celebrate the 2015 MHN Excellence Awards winners. See the full list of honorees here and look for expanded coverage of their accomplishments in the December issue. From time to time, we make changes to the categories to reflect industry trends. We won’t be retiring our popular “Most Tech-Savvy Apartment Community” category any time soon. This year, the entries were so relevant that the judges awarded two Golds. Lotus Garden, a $32 million dollar affordable housing infill project by Affirmed Housing Group in LA’s Chinatown, was built on a super challenging half-acre hillside lot. Lotus Garden is 11 stories tall at the mid-section. The site excavation difference between the property lines is 90 ft. or the equivalent of eight stories. By introducing a semi-automated parking system by CARMATRIX, the development team saved time and money by lowering one-and-a-half levels of subterranean excavations.

The other Gold, awarded to The Frasier, was just as impressive. Developed by MGL Partners and The Bozzuto Group in the Potomac Yard area, The Frasier is steeped in an array of technology-forward amenities and services designed to enhance the lives of its residents who are mainly active professionals. Features include keyless, electronic entry systems; a convenient Package Concierge digital package management system; programmable thermostats and motion sensors for lighting in common areas; interactive resident portal; a smartphone video intercom platform that lets residents to see and confirm who they allow to enter the building; and an e-lounge with Apple and Dell computers and high-speed wireless. Which of these high-tech amenities are resonating with your residents?