Creating Amenity Spaces
Expert-approved tips from our resident interior designer, Elizabeth Sanchez Vaughan of In-Site Interior Design
The creation of amenity spaces is a key element to increasing the real estate value of your co-op or condo building and improving the marketability of available units. Amenity spaces also improve community spirit, giving residents a place to make connections with other residents. For older buildings in the city, there are few areas that are deemed “auxiliary,” but many spaces can be repurposed for the benefit of all owners or shareholders: poorly utilized storage areas, unused basement spaces and super’s offices, and old laundry rooms. Here are some ideas to consider:
Fun and Fit: The first amenity condo and co-op boards usually consider is a fitness center. Work with a fitness equipment vendor to create an estimated usage chart (based on the number of units in the building), along with recommendations of the actual equipment to be included. But don’t stop at installing equipment with the standard mirror on the walls - create a fitness room that residents will be eager to visit. Decorative lighting, a good paint color scheme, and murals or artwork all add to creating an enjoyable and energizing space for exercise.
Lounging Around: Have a little more room? Consider adding a Lounge. In today’s remote workforce, a comfortable work-from-home space with a small kitchenette can provide the building with some cache in the marketplace. We’ve designed Lounges with game tables (pool and ping pong are highly favored) or small areas for seating with a conference table. This room can also be rented out by the co-op or condo board to create a small cash flow.
Instagram-Worthy Rooftop: With outdoor spaces in high demand, upgrading a rooftop to create an outdoor lounge will bring immediate value to the building. For older buildings, an engineer will be required at the start to inspect the condition of the roof as well as determine that the structure can support additional weight of the projected occupancy. An Interior Designer then develops a plan for seating areas with chaise lounges or comfy chairs, tables for dining, and planters with vegetation. Small fountains, a shower area to cool off after an afternoon of sunning, or an outdoor kitchenette with a BBQ are all specialty options to make the rooftop spectacular.
Not every co-op and condo building can compete with new developments offering pools, rock climbing walls, pet grooming rooms, kids rooms or soccer and basketball courts, but every co-op and condo board should take a hard look at where they can create amenity spaces that will add to the building’s value and benefit the residents in so many ways.
Creative Principal, In-Site Interior Design
646-448-6662
In-Site Interior Design, Inc. was founded in 2005 by Elizabeth Sanchez Vaughan, a LEED Accredited Professional in Interior Design and Construction (LEED-AP, ID+C). A leading design firm in the New York metropolitan area, In-Site has completed many notable real estate ground-up development and renovation design projects. They focus on all aspects of interior design to optimize spaces for the long term with low maintenance, well-priced materials in all of their multi-family and commercial projects.