Condo Amenities Perking up Interest
- by
Shelley Williamson
While moving to a condominium, especially apartment-style, is often equated with living smaller scale, the included “perks” or amenity rooms afford today’s condo shopper an extension of their own square footage and conveniences likely not possible in the average single-family address.
From workout rooms and wine cellars to beauty salons and guest suites, developers are meeting demands of busy condo dwellers with common-use facilities and services that are anything but common.
Richard Corriveau, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) senior market analyst says amenities or perks included in a building generally depend on the market a particular condominium project is targeting.
“There are a lot of interesting amenities being added to condominiums, but we’re seeing two trends — one appeals to overall (condo) buyers and the other is geared at the 55-plus market,” says Corriveau.
In the past condo builders may have dived into perks like pools and hot tubs — which some still do — but these expensive extras drive up condo fees and increase concern over things like insurance and maintenance, says Corriveau. “If there is a theatre all you have to do is make sure there is no popcorn on the floor,” he says.
Social or party rooms which residents can reserve and use are becoming popular among younger buyers who like to have friends in to chat or watch a DVD. “You don’t have to entertain in your own home, you can entertain in a common area which might include a theatre where you can host a large group of friends,” says Corriveau.
He adds that while people seem to be gravitating toward smaller suites, that doesn’t mean they want to give up things important to them in limited free time, such as hitting the gym. With perks like workout rooms bulking up the appeal of Calgary’s condos, owners can enjoy a tailored unit, and still reap rewards of cool common-area amenities without having to forfeit any living room.
“You might have an 800-square-foot suite, which means you now don’t have to have an extra bedroom to use as a gym,” says Corriveau.
Because common property is owned by all, the resident who calls a 600-square-foot studio home reaps the same benefit of in-house fitness equipment — and for a lower cost than the 2,000-square-foot penthouse owner — since condo fees depend on a person’s unit factor in the condominium.
Buildings with underground parking often also flow car washes into the mix, while many also boast libraries or guest suites accessible for a “nominal fee,” says Corriveau. “You get to maintain your privacy and so do your guests, and you don’t need the spare bedroom to have a guest suite in your unit.”
Often condos with age restrictions — such as 50- or 55-plus complexes — focus on spaces with specific uses, like wood shops, craft or sewing rooms, which allow owners to pare down digs and enjoy the hobbies they had or wanted to in grander, single-family addresses. |
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In the interest of living well, luxurious perks often geared at the mature condo shopper include spaces that encourage socializing — from wine tasting or temperature-controlled wine storage rooms, to dining areas with meals provided, and games havens.
“It brings people together. Some buildings have games rooms where people can get together and play pool or shuffleboard, while some have groups that meet every week to play cards,” says Evelyn Thompson, president of the Canadian Condominium Institute. |
Often extras serve double-duty of convenience and security, such as a 24-hour concierge who not only keep an eye on the building’s comings and goings but also seconds as a valet for cars or to tend to dry cleaning, says Thompson.
“It is a prestige thing — you can still have a home with the lawn care and other things taken care of and it allows you time to enjoy the good things in life,” says Thompson.
But any amenities come with a price tag, notes Thompson. “I always say you can have breakfast brought to you in bed every day if you are willing to pay for it,” she says, adding that while more in-house creature comforts are included these days, monthly fees will reflect and have to cover these services.
In the case of older buyers — who may be scaling down living space from a single-family abode with a garage, driveway and backyard — taking the condo plunge could amount to lower home operating costs than they’re used to, says Thompson.
“The added value for ‘snowbirds’ (those who like to travel to hot climes in winter) is they can go away and someone looks after maintenance for them, where before they would have to do it or pay for it themselves. And you do have access to more amenities or perks you would not have in your own home,” she says.
Curious about condo ownership? For more helpful hints about buying and owning a condominium in Calgary, tune into Shaw TV's Condo Living segments with host Barb Mitchell each Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday.
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