TYSONS CORNER, VA - According to KTGY Group’s Principal Rohit Anand, AIA, NCARB and thought leader, location is still key for renters, typically ranking above price and amenities. "Those apartment communities that are within walking distance to transportation and entertainment are succeeding. Renters are willing to trade apartment community amenities and unit sizes to be in the center of the action," Anand says.
"Infill parcels, especially near transit nodes and urban centers, are the most desirable. And, new apartment community designs are delivering densities in excess of 200 dwelling units/acre with structured parking, which help the proforma and, if programmed properly, will increase resident interaction and sense of community," says Anand.
"Today’s apartment communities emphasize open, connected spaces, and many of the newer amenities are on par with what has traditionally been included in hospitality projects," adds Anand. "Spaces are more open and less defined by walls. Instead, they are more defined by function and furnishings and are grouped by complementary activities."
According to Anand, entry lobbies for some of the newest apartment communities might be nearly indistinguishable from a hotel lobby. "We are creating entry lobbies that have the visual energy of a hotel -- open with several areas differentiated with furnishings allowing residents to congregate and connect in smaller groups," says Anand.
"Providing niche amenities such as a dog park and pet grooming area, community garden or a coffee bar can provide a community with a marketing advantage in certain areas but it is important to understand what your residents want before implementing," states Anand.
Anand will present these trends and more as the keynote speaker on "Emerging Trends Shaping Multifamily Development & Design," at The Excellence Awards 2012. This event, sponsored by Interface and Carnegie and presented by Multi-Housing News, will include Anand's presentation and will be followed by the announcement of the Gold winners in a variety of Excellence Award categories, recognition of Silver winners and a cocktail reception. The event will be held at Interface's New York Showroom, 330 Fifth Avenue, 12th Floor, on September 24, at 5:30 p.m.
On September 26, Anand will serve as a speaker at the National Association of Real Estate Investment Managers (NAREIM) Architectural and Engineering Council meeting in the Dallas area at the Las Colinas Four Seasons in Irving, Texas. At the 3:45 pm session, Anand will discuss the latest design and demographic trends in the multifamily housing industry.
Anand is the managing principal for KTGY's Tysons Corner, Va. office. Anand brings more than 25 years of professional achievement in leading the design of multifamily residential developments primarily in the mid-Atlantic and major East Coast markets. Anand's experience includes the design of nearly 25,000 market rate residential units ranging from for-rent and for-sale multifamily units to single-family attached and detached homes. A recognized industry authority and trend-setter, he is adept at providing product positioning advice and efficient construction systems that help meet a developer's proforma. Anand's leadership, strategic insight, communication skills and comprehensive knowledge have helped his team to design award-winning projects that have gained local and national recognition. He counts among his clients four of the nation's top 10 multifamily residential developers: Trammell Crow Residential, UDR, The Bozzuto Group and Avalon Bay.
For registration and information about The Excellence Awards 2012, see www.multihousingnews.com. Registration proceeds will be donated to Habitat for Humanity.
For information and registration about NAREIM Architectural and Engineering Council meeting, see www.nareim.org.
Celebrating 20 years, KTGY Group, Inc., Architecture and Planning, provides comprehensive planning and award-winning architectural design services for residential communities, retail, hospitality, mixed-use and related specialty developments. KTGY delivers innovative solutions that reflect clear understanding of development, market trends and financial performance and takes particular pride in its highly motivated and principal led studios. Serving clients worldwide, KTGY maintains offices in Irvine, Oakland and Santa Monica, Calif., Denver, Colo., and Tysons Corner, Va.