New Multifamily Amenities Shaping the Resident Experience in 2025
Experts from Village Green and WithMe dive into the latest trends, from wellness-focused areas and tech-enabled conveniences to creative spaces.
As resident expectations continue to evolve, the multifamily housing industry must set a new standard for amenities in the new year. With remote work, wellness and technology shaping everyday life, property managers and developers are introducing innovative amenities to create vibrant, adaptable and highly personalized living spaces.
Village Green’s Executive Vice President Marketing & Brand Loyalty Ashley Sinclair and WithMe Inc.’s CEO & Founder Jonathan Treble know about the latest amenity trends. From tech-enabled conveniences and wellness-focused spaces to creative areas for crafting and leisure, these industry leaders share their insights on how multifamily properties are embracing the future of resident experience in a rapidly changing market.
What resident lifestyle trends are influencing Village Green’s approach to amenities in 2025?
Sinclair: Given we are a third-party manager, it’s ideal when a client seeks our council early in the development phases of the project, as we tend to lean into the unit mix, location and employment to use data to understand who the renter will be and from there we begin collaboration on the programming for the community. Using that information from different sources helps to avoid personal opinions or overly trendy amenity spaces that ultimately will call for renovation in a year or so.
Regarding lifestyle, we continue to see work-from-home scenarios; therefore, flexible and private workspaces in common areas continue to be popular. In addition, similar to high-end resorts, people crave active/extroverted areas such as retro-style arcade lounges with multiple forms of media. However, we also still see the desire to have quiet spaces where someone can scroll on their phone, sip coffee, or enjoy a book or Kindle.
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Are you exploring any unique or niche amenities for its properties next year to stand out in a competitive market?
Sinclair: Makerspaces. Makerspaces are spaces where residents can paint, do light woodworking projects, wrap gifts, knit, watch and participate in different Master Classes, etc. We think wellness isn’t just physical; it’s mental, too.
Treble: In early 2025, we’ll be introducing new SipWithMe device sizes and package options to better accommodate the unique needs of diverse properties. Additionally, we are actively rolling out automatic supply delivery, ensuring machines stay consistently stocked with minimal effort from property managers.
In select markets, we’ve introduced an Express Service Guarantee, offering on-site tech support within one business day to quickly address any issues. These updates aim to enhance the convenience and reliability of SipWithMe as a premier amenity for residents. Looking ahead, we’re also exploring loyalty perks to further reward and engage users.
With the increasing focus on health and wellness, will you introduce amenities specifically designed for these purposes?
Sinclair: Most, if not all, of our clients/owners want their communities to remain relevant and thoughtful even if they aren’t newly built assets. In terms of wellness, we see multiple forms of fitness rooms/gyms that offer traditional and non-traditional wellness options. We are also seeing a rise in popularity of service rooms where our residents can book their third-party vendors such as massage therapists, Botox, etc.—hired by the residents—can have house calls as opposed to traveling to those service providers.
What specific technology solutions is Village Green implementing to improve resident engagement and operational efficiency?
Sinclair: At Village Green, we believe technology should enhance the prospect and resident experience. However, we also want to avoid overly automating or generalizing customer service. We have focused on two areas of the customer experience and creating efficiency for our on-site team by improving communications and facilitating feedback.
We’ve launched a dedicated platform to submit service requests to our service team, notifying them in real-time via their VG-issued device as opposed to having to go to the leasing/ management office. In addition, our survey tool at different touchpoints (move-in, after a work order has been completed, renewal, etc.), allows for real-time feedback so we can improve as needed, whether that be training, reviewing our internal processes/procedures, etc.
How do you ensure that amenities remain adaptable to changing resident needs and preferences?
Sinclair: Survey tools, feedback, new supply and key fob data help us provide our clients with ideas for refreshing or rehauling an amenity space. For example, if the golf simulator room is only accessed via the key fob 15-20 times a year, we may consider converting that space.
Treble: Resident preferences drive every decision we make at WithMe. We recently surveyed communities using our SipWithMe devices to collect valuable insights on amenity usage and importance. From this survey, reaching over 100,000 registered SipWithMe users, we’ve learned that coffee ranks as the second most valued amenity, right after fitness centers—a testament to how integral these amenities have become to residents’ daily routines. This data not only highlights which amenities are essential but also helps us understand usage patterns, allowing us to refine our offerings and ensure we’re providing residents with the most valued amenities.
In 2025, we’ll continue leveraging resident feedback to adapt and tailor our amenities, always striving to align our services with what residents find most valuable and beneficial.
How does the company design amenities to be inclusive and accessible for residents of all ages and abilities?
Sinclair: The key is having thoughtful spaces, remembering that that community will house people from all walks of life. So, have quiet spaces, spaces to connect and engage in, areas with flexible seating, spaces designed for learning—test kitchens, pizza ovens, makers rooms—etc. Our residents design their lifestyle, our job is to enhance the way they live.
How do you anticipate AI and automation impacting service offerings?
Treble: As noted previously, we are rolling out automated supply delivery to keep SipWithMe machines consistently stocked, reducing the manual effort required from property managers. Our team is actively exploring AI innovations to boost efficiency across our operations, and we’re excited about the potential of AI and automation to enhance resident satisfaction while further streamlining processes for property managers.
What are the biggest challenges you foresee in introducing new amenities to multifamily properties in 2025?
Treble: The amenity space has become increasingly crowded, with a vast array of offerings that sometimes miss the mark on what residents truly need. Our approach focuses on providing convenient, easy-to-use amenities that residents genuinely want and that integrate seamlessly into their daily routines without adding complexity.
We believe successful amenities should be simple and intuitive—not only for residents but also for property managers who often juggle numerous tasks. By designing our solutions to be low-maintenance and easy to manage, we help reduce the burden on overstretched property managers, enabling them to focus on delivering a great living experience for their residents.