As parents return to cities with their children, CetraRuddy’s housing design experts are working to accommodate the needs through shifts in unit layouts, a focus on more dynamic and targeted amenities, and prioritizing health and wellbeing.
Cities like New York are starting to see the next iteration of ‘family buildings,’ condominiums that offer a special urban experience while still providing important features for both parents and children and offering a strong sense of home. Designing a building that appeals to this group of buyers requires a clear focus on meeting their criteria for comfort, access, and quality of life and wellbeing.
CetraRuddy sees untapped opportunities to craft buildings with a family appeal. These developments will combine many of the features buyers find outside of urban areas, including larger units that incorporate laundry rooms, studies and work-from-home spaces, access to the outdoors and a focus on family-friendly amenities such as learning and play areas, music rooms and other facilities for recreation and creative activities.
Recent condominium projects that reflect these trends include 200 Amsterdam, nearing completion on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, where interior spaces by CetraRuddy include the Little Composers’ Room, a music-themed space with adjacent soundproof rehearsal rooms that promote creative play in children. In the apartment interiors, the building draws inspiration from pre-war apartments, with gracious, highly functional layouts, large kitchens for gathering and a careful balance of public and private space.
Dahlia, a 20 storey residential building, also on the Upper West Side, incorporates 38 residences, many of which have corner exposures for maximum light and air. Its amenity offerings include a large 5,100 sq ft elevated park with a private parking garage underneath, direct indoor/outdoor connectivity between terrace spaces and amenities such as the children’s playroom and offer flexibility in use.
443 Greenwich in New York’s Tribeca neighbourhood creatively converts a landmarked former bookbindery into unique residences with elements including drive-in parking, spacious interior layouts, open family kitchens, and access to the outdoors via rooftop lounge and play areas and a large central landscaped courtyard that acts as a private park for residents.