One of the most important pieces of advice for apartment hunters is: to consider the total cost of your lifestyle needs and wants before signing a lease. As surprising as it may be, sometimes an amenity-rich community will actually provide better value than a standard apartment with a lower rent.
Ask yourself what you will ultimately spend for all the things you really need and want: gym memberships, laundry, parking, storage, and pet care are just a handful of examples. Then, compare this piecemeal approach — standard apartment plus paying for each of these items and services individually — to the luxury apartment choice.
Some luxury apartment amenities deliver direct dollar savings. Others save you time — an important consideration for many busy professionals and families. Certain amenities offer an opportunity to socialize with your fellow tenants. Read on to learn more about the luxury apartment amenities that deliver the best value to tenants.
Gym/Fitness Center
Individual gym memberships are often $40 per month and up. In major urban centers, that figure is more like $80 per month and up. Families will often spend $100 to $200 per month. At some clubs, initiation fees add to the costs.
The other benefit of on-site fitness is big: convenience. How much time will you save every year by working out right within your apartment community? Gym members may find themselves avoiding busy periods like late afternoon. You too might want to head straight to the gym after work, only to find yourself jockeying for equipment. Apartment dwellers often find that an on-site fitness center is not as busy.
Pet Services
Pet grooming stations continue to grow in popularity as a top requested apartment amenity. They often come with stainless steel washbasins, pet dryers, hydraulic grooming tables, and hair vacuum systems. An increasing number of pet-friendly developments offer pet daycare, including dog walking, which can be a major expense for dog owners without this amenity. Other communities offer professional dog-grooming services like shearing and nail trimming. Many developments now offer spaces where pets can play and pet owners can socialize with fellow animal lovers.
On-Site Parking
Leases that come with a dedicated parking spot offer significant added value. This is particularly true in urban centers. There, commercial parking may cost $200 to $300 per month or more. Some properties even offer on-site garage parking with elevator access to living areas. This is a big plus during inclement weather. The same is true when communities offer valet parking to their residents.
There’s peace of mind in knowing that there’s always a parking spot waiting for you at the end of a long day. It is comforting to know your vehicle is in a secure location. Even if you don’t use the spot, visitors can. Finally, compare the time saved when parking on-site. Renters who rely on street parking spend a great deal of time searching for open spots.
On-Site Storage
The proliferation of public storage facilities is a testament to the fact that people have a lot more stuff these days. Compare a complex offering on-site storage with one that does not. The monthly cost of off-site storage is often $80 to $120 per month and up, which can add up to a significant cost. Along with saving money with on-site storage, tenants also enjoy easy access to stored items. Declutter your apartment home by using on-site storage to store your sports gear, off-season clothing, holiday decorations, and other unused items there.
In-Unit Washer and Dryer
At commercial laundry facilities, you pay for everything you want to wash and dry. Use of the smallest commercial washing machine will often run $1.25 to $1.75 per load. Drying is often $1.00 to $2.00 per load. Now imagine how many loads you’ll do every month. The expenses add up.
Those who do laundry in their apartment homes enjoy time-saving convenience as well. Don’t forget the bath towels, blankets, and other bulky items that are a hassle to lug around. In-unit laundry savings multiply for families and roommates sharing two- and three-bedroom apartments.
Work from Home Amenities
Is working from home an element of your lifestyle? Upscale apartment buildings and developments often feature business centers. Save time and money with convenient access to printers, computers, and more. Co-working spaces provide an opportunity to collaborate with others and conduct business meetings outside of your apartment unit.
Dining and Entertainment Alternatives
Residents of certain luxury apartment communities enjoy on-site alternatives to dining and entertainment. Rooftop lounges, grilling stations, entertainment lounges, and private clubrooms are steps away.
Luxury Apartment Properties with Valuable Amenities
Here are some examples of luxury apartment properties offering money and time-saving amenities.
The new pet-friendly Wrigleyville Lofts offers a fully-equipped dog spa. There’s also a private parking garage, a heated bike storage room, and a fitness center. Savor spectacular views from a rooftop deck replete with a fire pit. Take advantage of the grills and outdoor dining areas.
At Burnham Pointe, let your social life come to you on the rooftop terrace. Enjoy stunning downtown views or relax in the feature-rich entertainment lounge. Grilling areas include premium outdoor cooking equipment. There’s also a fully-equipped fitness center and an indoor dog park.
In Chicago’s River North neighborhood, at Hubbard221, residents work, play, and entertain without ever leaving home. The rooftop terrace is a retreat 21 floors above the city. Cook for friends in the chef’s-grade kitchen. Attend to mind, body, and soul in the gym and yoga studio, and meditation lounge.
At St. Louis’ upcoming Moda at the Hill, residents will have the use of a 250-car above-ground garage. Time and cost-saving amenities include pet care facilities, co-working spaces, a fitness center, and a yoga studio. In Irving, TX, Crest at Las Colinas offers controlled access parking. There’s also a dog park, gourmet outdoor kitchen, fitness center, and co-working spaces with Wi-Fi.
About Draper and Kramer
Draper and Kramer is a full-service real estate firm founded in Chicago in 1893 that takes pride in offering the amenities that today’s renters value. We offer many other properties with time- and money-saving amenities. To learn more, browse our complete selection of luxury apartment properties.
