Hit the gym in 30 seconds. Get a little space from the in-laws. Host a party that will be the ‘talk of the town’. Swim laps before work. Know you’re in good hands with a personal concierge. Unwind without any disruptions in your private movie theatre.

With building amenities like fitness centres, guest-suites, party lounges, pools, concierges and theatres, a wealth of opportunities are literally right at your doorstep. These amenities can increase the value of a property and enhance the convenience and comfort of homeowners.

So how are amenity spaces planned and programmed within new developments? I sat down with Jason Turcotte, Development Manager from Cressey Development Group, to get the low down on typical questions they ask:

• What is the municipal zoning? Zoning bylaws regulate not only the kind of development which takes place (commercial, mixed-use, residential) but also the amount of residential area/homes which can be offered for sale. Most City Council’s encourage amenities within new developments by excluding the space as “saleable” (thereby allowing the developer to sell an added home in order to recoup some of the cost of building the amenity space). However, good developers already understand the importance of putting aside some space to give residents amenities, ultimately aiding in the sales process of the entire development.
• How many units are in the development and how will this affect strata fees? Larger developments can typically support more amenities as the costs are amortized across more units.
• Who are the target markets you’re trying to attract? Are you building for active first-time buyers, growing families or retired downsizers?
• What’s the vision for the building? Exclusive and high-end with luxurious amenities? Affordable with low monthly fees?

Amenities can vary greatly. They can be a small meeting room or a 15,000 square foot clubhouse. Polygon is well-known for their large-scale clubhouses at communities like Sunstone.

Fitness centres have become a standard in the majority of new projects. “Fitness centres are the most popular amenity and our policy at Cressey is, ‘Do it well, or don’t do it at all.’ The goal is for people to replace their gym membership and simply have it at their doorstep,” says Turcotte.

Turcotte notes the coolest amenity he’s seen is a bowling alley at Concord Pacific’s Coopers Pointe, and his favourite is Cressey’s High Point Equestrian Centre in South Surrey. The new 8,000 square foot clubhouse boasts a top-notch fitness centre, his and her steam rooms, yoga space, lounge overlooking the indoor arena, bar and tennis court. The beautifully-designed equestrian centre includes 40 spacious stalls, large indoor and outdoor arenas, private paddocks, private laundry, round pen, barns and 9km of custom-built riding trails.

Amenity spaces can form the heart of a community and be utilized as an extension of your home. What amenities do you prefer? What types of amenities would you like to see in future developments?

Krista Shirreff