A sampling of the amenities we expect to see much more of in 2019

The great amenities race in luxury real estate has been heating up for years. As residential buildings are becoming more opulent and dedicated to catering to residents’ every need, and as the market tightens, developers have been trying to outdo one another above and beyond the individual units themselves to the entire lifestyle a building offers. Gyms, outdoor spaces and children’s rooms were big in the past. What will come in the future? CityRealty rounded up nine burgeoning trends to expect more of in 2019.

Branded Meditation Studios

Rendering of MNDFL studio via VUW

It is well known that meditation reduces stress, improves sleep and leads to an overall better quality of life. Gramercy Square, a luxury development in the heart of Gramercy Park, offers a branded MNDFL meditation studio for private sessions exclusively offered to residents. Not just for adults, a Mini MNDFL series will also be available to children to help improvetheir focus and balance their moods.

Circadian Rhythm Lighting

Swimming pool in the Gramercy Club curated by La Palestra

Pool at Gramercy Square, programmed by Lighting Science (VUW)

Beyond meditation, the MNDFL-designed meditation room and amenity spaces at Gramercy Square will be the home to Lighting Science’s first commercial installation of their latest lighting technology to be released, the Good Day&Night Downlight. The new downlight is a comprehensive solution that enables optimal daytime alertness, while also enhancing nighttime sleep. Based on technology developed in collaboration with NASA to support the natural circadian rhythms of astronauts, the Good Day&Night® solution enables users to easily change between focus-enhancing and sleep-enhancing spectrums.

Hammam Spas

Hammam spa at 49 Chambers Street via Williams New York

These ancient Turkish baths are on the rise in Manhattan’s luxury real estate market. Hammam spas include four stages, all with different types and water and air temperatures. Traditionally, the process begins in the sauna as the dry, hot air is meant to promote relaxation. Following this is an even hotter steam room with cold water pools where an attendant will then exfoliate andscrub with an ancient cleansing soap and rough mitt called a kessa. The ritual ends with cooling off in another relaxation room. Keeping with their tradition, the Moroccan developers behind the 19th century Beaux Arts landmark-turned-luxury-residences, 49 Chambers, created a hammam spa cast in honed white Ariel marble as a contemporary take on this relaxing escape.

Infrared Sauna

Citizen360, designed by SHoP Architects, is the modern take on quintessential Upper East Side living. With an amenities suite designed by holistic interior designer Clodagh, the space spreads over two floors and emphasizes a serene approach to creativity, athleticism, and community. Citizen360 is one of two residential buildings in New York City to feature an infrared sauna. Clodagh cites studies that show infrared is an effective tool for more intense sweating, which releases greater toxins from the body, and for regulating the stress hormone cortisol.

IMAX Theater

Many buildings have theaters or screening rooms, but IMAX takes viewing to a multidimensional experience. 130 William, as designed by Sir David Adjaye, is one of the only residential buildings in New York City that has a private IMAX theater to provide exceptional viewing experiences.

The IMAX theater at the Zaha Hadid-designed 520 West 28th Street (Corcoran)

Automated Parking

Gated driveway and entrance to 565 Broome Soho via Renzo Piano

565 Broome SoHo, designed by Pritzker Prize laureate Renzo Piano, features 40 parking spots that are all equipped with a full capacity charging station. The private gated driveway and entrance with the latest in automated parking ensures that vehiclesare carefully handled by only the robotic parking solution - meaning that no one other than the owner will ever come in contact with the car. The decision to design an above-ground car vault was another important factor so collectors will have comfort in knowing that their prized vehicles will remain dust-free and safe from damage due to flooding. Another benefit of the parking amenity at 565 Broome SoHo is that it allows for larger-sized SUVs.

Kids' Concierge

Children's playroom at One West End (Silverstein/Elad)

Beyond simply a children’s room, One West End, a new development on West End Avenue and 59th Street, has a kids' concierge included in the programming. Its many capabilities range from organizing daily programs, monthly events, and customizable themed parties to playdates, matching tutors and babysitters, and so much more. One of the main goals of the concierge is to incorporate wellness into the lives of the children living within the building, whether that be through healthy cooking programs, yoga and dance classes, or a new program called FIT KIDS by P. FIT KIDS, the combination of education, imagination, fitness, and wellness. This program focuses on the re-enactment of characters in story books, which enhances both fine and gross motor skills for toddlers, as well as cognitive skills via role playing.

Multiple Private Gardens

Elevated courtyard at One Manhattan Square via West 8 Urban Design and Landscape Architects

Extell Development Company engaged West 8 Urban Design and Landscape Architects, named 2017’s most innovative architecture firm by Fast Company, to create the largest private outdoor gardens in New York City at its brand new residential tower, One Manhattan Square. One Manhattan Square features over 45,000 square feet of lush landscaped areas, situated on two waterfront acres in the Lower East Side. Drawing inspiration from squares, parks and urban sanctuaries around the world, West 8 designed an abundance of meaningful spaces for residents to relax, work, socialize and play.

Technology-Enabled Homes

685 First Avenue (Solow)

And last but never least, there will be many more higher tech homes.

The luxury condominium 685 First Avenue is the first fully automated condominium in New York City. The striking black glass building features a custom system designed by the inventor of automation technology, Crestron, and acclaimed automation designer Osbee that enables it to provide the most seamless living experience possible. It is being delivered beyond pre-wired to enable each buyer to control the lighting, temperature, shades (which come with every home), audio (Sonos, Spotify, etc.) and visual (TV, etc.) from one single app on his or her phone and or verbally through Alexa. Beyond the single app control, the automation system will enable residents to create custom 'scenes', such as 'Party', 'Sleep' or 'Wellness' that can be programmedto occur routinely, or when desired. These scenes include pre-programmed music, lighting, temperature and more. For example, you can set a “morning” wake up scene - where the shades gradually rise, the temp in your room begins to warm, lights flicker onand your favorite song begins to play. All of this is preset and scheduled for the simplest living experience. Life has never been so simple.

Stylish, seamless living at Quay Tower via Douglas Elliman

Quay Tower, located on the waterfront at Brooklyn Bridge Park, is the first condominium in Brooklyn to team up with Amazon and offer an Alexa smart home experience. Each of the 126 units in this luxury condominium will be fully equipped with an Amazon Echo, Echo Dot, and compatible smart home technology including Nest thermostats and Lutron Caseta lamp dimmers. Quay residents will be able to listen to the daily news, switch on the lights, control the shades, play their favorite tune and more just by using their voice. Through this strategic collaboration with Amazon, buyers also enjoy the convenience of working with a designated Amazon concierge who will help set up the Alexa and compatible devices prior to move-in and deliver a seamless smart home experience upon arrival. This integrated home automation makes life easy for residents so all they have to worry about is taking in stunning skyline and river views.

EVGB living room with Echo Dot via Extell

The demand for high-tech homes is not limited to the condo market: At the Stuyvesant Town rental EVGB, each residence is equipped with an Echo Dot that notifies residents with updates on their packages and dry-cleaning, and receives and submits inquiries for any apartment repairs. The building has been a hot spot for tech employees and executives as a result.

Related Companies has partnered and made a strategic investment in Starry, Inc., a Boston-based technology company pioneering the use of millimeter waves to deploy fixed 5G wireless last-mile gigabit broadband. Together they will offer Internet service across Related’s national portfolio of rental properties, as well as in New York City. Starry is extremely fast 5G internet, 200 mbps and uses millimeter wave connections which work over shorter distances. The service includes the Starry Station a home WiFi Hub that is technologically advanced. It basically is an interactive device showing you what and who is using the Internet, allows you to limit screen time (i.e. for kids), and offers customer support through the device itself via phone, e-mail or chat. Interesting to note Starry is just Internet service, so they eliminate bundles/long term contracts/hardware which makes for expensive additional fees.

Related has also collaborated with tech company Hello Alfred to create a customized new platform called Life Simplified to offer renters in their luxury buildings an on-demand home manager/personal assistant to take care of daily errands. The service is available via an app,and the managers do everything from making beds, household cleaning, order and stock groceries, pick up dry cleaning and hang it in closets. They also can pack up your old apartment and arrange move-in to another Related building, and organize parties or large scale events. Related is making Life Simplified part of a renter’s amenity package and is rolling out the service nationally.

Hello Alfred service (Jessica Neary)

https://www.cityrealty.com/nyc/market-insight/features/get-to-know/the-future-amenities-nyc-residential-buildings/26941