Why Apartment Amenities Matter More Than Ever
Apartments with amenities are the gold standard for modern renters, offering more than just four walls and a roof. These features transform a basic living space into a complete lifestyle experience.
What are apartment amenities?
- In-unit amenities: Private features inside your apartment (washer/dryer, dishwasher).
- Community amenities: Shared spaces for all residents (fitness center, pool, rooftop deck).
- Smart amenities: Tech-driven features (keyless entry, smart thermostats).
- Wellness amenities: Health-focused features (yoga studios, outdoor spaces).
The data is compelling. A National Multifamily Housing Council survey found 92% of renters want an in-unit washer/dryer, 90% prioritize soundproof walls, and 86% consider high-speed internet essential. With 45% of renters now working from home part-time, their needs have fundamentally changed.
Modern renters seek convenience, community, and connection. The rise of remote work has made flexible spaces crucial, while a focus on wellness has liftd amenities like fitness centers and outdoor areas from nice-to-have to must-have.
The preference for smart apartments is particularly strong among millennial renters, a generational shift that is driving property managers to rethink everything from package delivery to community spaces.
The Core of Comfort: In-Unit vs. Community Amenities
When discussing apartments with amenities, it's important to distinguish between features inside your personal space and those available to the entire community. Both contribute to your living experience but serve different purposes.
In-unit amenities are conveniences located within your apartment, offering privacy and immediate access. Community amenities are shared spaces and services accessible to all residents, designed to foster community and offer extended living areas.
Must-Have In-Unit Apartments with Amenities
Certain in-unit features consistently top renters' wish lists, defining comfort and convenience in daily life. Based on extensive surveys, here are the most sought-after in-unit amenities:
- In-unit washer/dryer: Ranked as the most desired amenity by 92% of renters for its best convenience.
- Air conditioning: A non-negotiable for 91% of renters, especially in places with warm summers like Chicago.
- High-speed internet access: Essential for 86% of renters for remote work, online learning, and entertainment.
- Dishwasher: Valued by 86% of renters for making meal cleanup a breeze.
- Walk-in closets: Desired by 88% of renters for ample storage and organization.
- Soundproof walls: A remarkable 90% of renters want soundproof walls for a serene home environment.
- Private balcony or patio: A personal outdoor retreat sought by 84% of renters.
At The Ardus Apartments, we understand these needs, offering modern living spaces in River North, Chicago, where such amenities are thoughtfully integrated. You can explore our Studio Apartments with In-Unit Laundry to see how we prioritize these essentials.
Top Community Apartments with Amenities
Community amenities extend your living space, providing opportunities for fitness, relaxation, and socializing. Here are some of the most important ones:
- Fitness center: An on-site gym is a major draw for 70% of renters, offering the convenience of working out without a separate membership.
- Swimming pool: A refreshing escape desired by 73% of renters, adding a touch of luxury and recreation.
- Secure package access: With online shopping booming, 73% of renters desire self-service 24/7 package access to ensure deliveries are safe.
- Controlled building access: Desired by 71% of renters, these systems provide peace of mind by ensuring only residents and authorized visitors can enter.
- Resident lounge/clubroom: These communal spaces offer a comfortable environment for socializing or working outside your apartment.
- Rooftop deck: Especially in urban areas like Chicago, a rooftop deck provides stunning city views and a unique space for social gatherings.
- Reliable cell reception: The most desired community amenity, with 86% of renters considering it important for constant connectivity.
The Modern Renter: How Preferences for Amenities Have Evolved
The way renters view apartments with amenities has shifted dramatically. What were once luxuries are now often seen as necessities. Today's renters want spaces that support their entire lifestyle, from career goals to wellness routines. This change is driven by the rise of remote work and a growing focus on well-being, rewriting the rules for what makes an apartment desirable. A remarkable 65% of renters say that healthy building certifications would influence their leasing decisions, showing a clear trend toward conscious living.
The Work-From-Home Revolution's Impact
With 45% of renters working from home, the apartment has become a multi-purpose hub. This has created new demands for amenities:
- Co-working spaces: These on-site areas offer a professional environment with desks, Wi-Fi, and coffee stations, providing an alternative to working from your apartment.
- High-speed internet infrastructure: Robust Wi-Fi is no longer a luxury but the foundation for remote work and smart home features.
- Soundproofing: The demand for quiet has skyrocketed. 90% of renters want soundproof walls and 85% desire noise-reducing windowpanes to ensure a productive environment.
- Flexible floorplans: Valued by 65% of renters, these adaptable layouts allow residents to create dedicated work or hobby zones.
- Business centers and private meeting rooms: For more formal needs, these amenities offer professional settings without a commute.
The Ardus Apartments in Chicago understands this evolution, designing spaces that cater to the modern professional. Learn more about our approach to Modern Living Chicago.
A Focus on Wellness and Lifestyle
Renters are prioritizing amenities that support their physical and mental well-being. The search is for a space that actively contributes to a balanced, healthy lifestyle.
- Fitness centers with modern equipment: A 24/7 fitness center allows residents to maintain workout routines without the hassle of a separate gym membership.
- Yoga studios: These serene spaces cater to residents seeking mindfulness and flexibility.
- Outdoor green spaces: Rooftop decks, community gardens, and courtyards bring nature into urban living, offering fresh air and relaxation.
- Non-smoking buildings: A significant 70% of renters prefer these healthier environments.
- Natural light: Apartments that maximize sunlight are recognized for their positive impact on mood and energy.
- Healthy building certifications: With 65% of renters saying such certifications would impact their decision, it's clear that wellness-conscious living is here to stay.
Our Chicago Rooftop Lounges demonstrate how outdoor spaces can be integrated for relaxation and community, supporting the modern renter's desire for a holistic living experience.
The Tech Takeover: Smart Apartments with Amenities
Apartment living is in a digital revolution, and apartments with amenities are leading the way. Today's renters want homes as smart as their phones, blending comfort and technology. Smart amenities work behind the scenes via the Internet of Things (IoT) to anticipate needs and make daily life effortless.
Renters are drawn to smart technology for its convenience, security, and efficiency. The appeal is particularly strong among younger generations, with 86% of millennial renters showing a preference for smart apartments compared to just 65% of baby boomers. This trend is driving property managers to rethink their approach to modern living.
Popular Smart Home Features
These practical solutions make life easier and more secure.
- Smart locks and keyless entry: Use your smartphone as a key and grant temporary access to guests. In fact, 45% of renters believe physical keys will be obsolete within a decade.
- Smart thermostats: These devices learn your preferences to create a perfect climate and improve efficiency.
- Smart lighting: Control the ambiance of your space with voice commands or your phone.
- High-speed internet infrastructure: This is the essential foundation that connects all your smart devices.
- Online rent payment and maintenance requests: Digital portals like a Resident Portal centralize communication with property management, allowing you to pay rent or submit requests with ease.
Security in a Digital Age
Modern security layers physical and digital safeguards.
- Controlled access systems: Using smartphone apps or key fobs, these systems ensure only authorized individuals can access the building and its amenities.
- Video intercoms: See and speak with anyone at your door from your smartphone, whether you're home or away.
- Secure package rooms: Monitored, 24/7 accessible spaces keep your online shopping deliveries safe until you can retrieve them.
- Cybersecurity for resident data: Protecting personal and financial information is crucial. With identity theft cases on the rise, robust digital security is as important as physical safety.
Beyond Four Walls: The Rise of Experiential and Pet-Friendly Amenities
The modern apartment experience is about creating memorable experiences and building genuine community. Apartments with amenities are becoming lifestyle destinations where residents don't just live – they thrive. Property managers are curating entire lifestyles, from community-building events to services that make daily life more enjoyable. Modern renters seek connection and spaces that feel like home, complete with social opportunities.
Creating a Community Vibe
Fostering connections between neighbors turns a building into a home.
- Resident socials and events: Holiday parties, wine tastings, or movie nights create natural opportunities for neighbors to meet and build friendships.
- On-site coffee shops: These spaces become unofficial town squares, encouraging interaction throughout the day.
- Game rooms: Pool tables, foosball, and arcade games offer a setting for friendly competition and casual hangouts.
- Outdoor grilling stations: Gathering around a grill helps conversations flow and neighbors become friends.
- Rooftop lounges: These liftd retreats offer stunning city views and a perfect backdrop for social gatherings, like a River North Rooftop Brunch.
Catering to Four-Legged Residents
For many renters, finding pet-friendly housing is a necessity. The best communities recognize that pets are family.
- On-site dog parks: These dedicated, enclosed areas provide a safe space for dogs to run and socialize on the property.
- Pet washing stations: Specially designed areas with tubs and grooming tools make it easy to clean up your pet without making a mess in your apartment.
- Pet-friendly policies: Clear guidelines, such as allowing up to two pets per apartment, ensure harmony while acknowledging the importance of animal companions.
- Proximity to local parks: Easy access to nearby green spaces and walking trails improves the pet-friendly experience.
Learn more about our comprehensive approach to Pet Friendly Apartments Chicago and our Apartments with Dog Parks.
Finding Your Perfect Fit: How to Choose a Building with the Right Amenities
When searching for apartments with amenities, you're choosing a lifestyle. The secret is to find a property where the amenities are compatible with your daily routines. The best properties will feel like they were designed for you. Being honest about your needs is key—do you work from home, love fitness, or travel often? Your perfect apartment is one where the amenities seamlessly support how you actually live.
The Importance of a Tour
There's no substitute for experiencing a space yourself. A tour turns online photos into reality.
- Guided tours are preferred by 69% of renters because they get their questions answered on the spot by a leasing agent.
- Self-guided tours are great for exploring at your own pace.
- Virtual tour options have become highly sophisticated. At The Ardus Apartments, we offer comprehensive virtual experiences. Learn How Do Virtual Apartment Tours Work? to see if this fits your schedule.
During any tour, ask about practical details like fitness center hours or how to reserve common spaces. Pay attention to the upkeep and quality of the amenities to ensure they are clean and functional.
Ready to see what makes The Ardus Apartments special? Schedule a Tour and experience our River North community firsthand.
Making Your Decision
After touring, it's time to make a choice.
- Revisit your must-have list. Be realistic about which amenities you will truly use.
- Consider the neighborhood as an amenity. A great location like River North puts you steps away from Chicago's best dining, shopping, and culture.
- Read resident reviews. A significant 84% of renters rely on property ratings. Look for patterns in reviews to understand the day-to-day experience.
- Think about the complete value package. Amenities often replace services you'd use elsewhere, like gyms or co-working spaces. The goal is finding the sweet spot where the amenities genuinely improve your daily life.
For a comprehensive guide, check out our Top 15 Things to Consider Finding Apartments in River North. You're not just choosing an apartment—you're choosing how you want to live.
Conclusion
Finding the perfect home today is about more than just four walls. Apartments with amenities have fundamentally changed the meaning of home, creating spaces where your daily routine flows seamlessly from work to wellness to community connection. Features like an in-unit washer/dryer or soundproof walls have moved from luxury to necessity for modern renters.
The rise of remote work and a focus on well-being have transformed apartments into multi-functional hubs. Smart technology makes our homes more responsive, while wellness amenities support our health. Most importantly, the best amenities create genuine community, bringing neighbors together in spaces like fitness centers and rooftop lounges.
At The Ardus Apartments in River North, Chicago, we understand that your home should improve your life. Our change of a historic warehouse into modern living spaces reflects this, blending character with convenience. From our rooftop lounge to our on-site coffee shop, every amenity is designed to make your daily life better.
The right amenities don't just improve your apartment; they lift your entire lifestyle. Ready to see how the right features can transform your daily routine? Explore our curated amenities and find your new story in the heart of Chicago.
