Who doesn’t want an elevator or doorman in their building? These are now standard requisites for New Yorkers. But it’s 2011 and we’re itching to know what perks people have their sights set on these days. Are they looking for fancy rooftop pools or an in-house yoga studio? We ask the experts.
Hanging with the neighbors
New Yorkers are fans of shared space, such as a rooftop deck or communal backyard. “There’s a huge social aspect to it. Sometimes you feel so isolated in Manhattan — you may never see the person who lives two doors down from you. But if you have a great outdoor space, you end up getting to know neighbors,” says Gary Malin, president of Citi Habitats. “Owners are smart because they realize when a community is created in the building it makes it harder for people to leave. Create that community and your turnover will be lower,” he adds.
Getting back to the basics
“In 2007, everyone [in real estate] was trying to do a gimmick. You had spas and running parks for pets. Right now, it’s all about what can save you money,” explains Jacky Teplitzky, a legendary agent and managing director at Prudential Douglas Elliman, who has sold close to $1 billion in NYC real estate. She also adds that playrooms are all the rage right now — and they’re not just for little kids. Playrooms come equipped with Xboxes and Wiis to accommodate tweens as well. They’re also convenient for snow days.
Making space
“People love amenities that add to your living experience, make your apartment less cluttered or help you entertain in larger numbers,” says Malin. One big request: storage for your seasonal clothes, baby strollers, sporting gear or anything else that takes up too much space in your apartment. “People are always looking for storage. Certain buildings will have storage lockers that you can rent. We all know closet space in most Manhattan apartments isn’t plentiful,” he says.
