Five-Star Living

December 30, 2024

Luxury multifamily properties incentivize homeowners to live the high-end, low-maintenance life.

Words by Megan Felling

igh-end multifamily residential developments with five-star amenity packages—previously seen only in coastal and mountain cities—have arrived in Kansas City. The look of the American dream may be changing as many homeowners make the switch from a mortgage to a rental contract in search of more social connections and less maintenance.

To entice residents, these types of developments create attractive, resort-quality amenity packages where the lifestyle is an amenity in itself.

NSPJ Architects has designed several multifamily housing projects nationally and was one of the first design firms to bring ultra-luxe apartment living to KC.

“People moving here, where it may be more affordable, bring their expectations from other locations,” says Katie Martinovic, NSPJ’s vice president and principal landscape architect.

It is crucial to design not just an apartment but a community and a place to belong.

“We incorporate places to gather—around the pool, barbecue grills and fire pits—areas to draw people out of their apartment and into the common areas and provide a place for people to relax and build friendships,” she explains. “The wide-ranging amenities create opportunities to socialize.”

Renting is not just for those starting out on their own; it now has multigenerational appeal. All ages seem to be attracted to this lifestyle—even Martinovic’s own father, who recently downsized from a single-family home in Wichita and moved to a community with luxurious common areas, a pool for the grandkids to play in, and optional spaces for family and friends to gather.

Amenities go beyond pools and gyms that have always been a part of rental communities. Trending spaces now include artificial turf game areas for ping pong, cornhole and patio-size chess boards, while tennis courts have been traded out for pickleball courts. Outdoor kitchens are outfitted with grill stations and pizza ovens. Pet-friendly communities offer dog parks and dog wash stations.

Communal lounges make staying in for the night look just as good as going out and are available for hosting private parties. Coffee bars and podcast rooms are tucked into nooks, while the mail room and secure delivery rooms are gaining square footage.

Wellness design is another growing consideration. Designer Carol Cisco, who splits her time between Kansas and Colorado and judges interior design competitions—including many apartment community submissions—notes that spa, yoga and fitness facilities are a big draw for successful communities. Dedicated yoga rooms, massage rooms and even cold-plunge pools join fully outfitted gyms for maintaining health.

The award-winning CORE Apartments in Kansas City, Missouri, goes above all this, housing a spin studio, rock climbing wall and an indoor sports simulator. The Bar K dog park is within walking distance in this pedestrian-friendly area, located at the Berkley Riverfront Park, near the City Market and bars and restaurants in the Power & Light District.

Apartment dwelling isn’t just for urban areas, though. Developers also seek suburban sites, especially ones near large employers. One of NSPJ’s recent suburban projects, the Brentwood Apartments in Olathe, is a prime example, located near Garmin.

With the evolution of work-from-home scenarios, Martinovic is attentive to designing spaces outside of individual apartments with good lighting, printers, Wi-Fi and plenty of charging stations—even poolside.

Interior designer Michelle Ford, who works on midsize multifamily properties, also considers the needs of remote workers.

“Residents expect a business center, so developers are including cyber cafes with good Wi-Fi and comfortable furniture,” she says, adding that closed-in rooms for meetings or Zoom calls are also trending.

“Many communities are separating the leasing office from community rooms so that residents can have 24-hour access for parties or a quick meeting,” Ford adds.

Parking is another hot button that has evolved. Attached garages, podium-style below-ground designs and tuck-under garages connected directly to the building’s central corridor provide safe and convenient access.

“You really don’t see carports any longer,” Martinovic notes.

Beautiful, thoughtful and well-rounded, these new developments are changing the way rental communities are experienced.

“They bring neighbors together, whether for events such as a wine tasting or watching the Chiefs game,” Martinovic says. “It really is about creating a lifestyle, where the conveniences of everyday life are right there so you don’t have to leave or go far.”