It’s time to accept that work-from-home isn’t just a temporary fix - it’s part of the new status quo. Much to the chagrin of Elon Musk and commercial landlords, remote work has a lot to offer employees and management. It also provides an opportunity for multifamily operators to step up and meet the needs of their tenants. Apartment communities aren’t just a place to rest, they’re a place to work – modern apartment building design should reflect this. Co-working spaces, seamless WiFi connectivity, and smart apartment technology are essential if you want to attract and retain remote workers.
Adapting apartment buildings to a changing landscape doesn’t have to be painful. Retrofitting communities with WiFi and IoT devices like smart locks and thermostats allows modern renters with malleable schedules to get the most out of their units. Managed WiFi lets residents move freely across the property, empowering them to get things done on their couches, in community workspaces, or even by the pool.
WFH-friendly apartment building design is within reach for every asset, regardless of size and class. Community-wide internet allows properties to carve out flexible spaces for residents to work. Whether it’s a large communal space, individual focus rooms, or a cozy corner of the lobby, your property should cater to renters who prefer to work from home. This isn’t a niche group - a study from February found that 59% of employed Americans with the opportunity to work from home are doing so. It’s not just Covid – the leading reason for WFH is employee preference. Catering to these workers with high-quality apartment internet solutions and building design helps bring in and retain residents.
The internet of things, or IoT, also offers a lot to residents who work from home. Hybrid workers can benefit from customizable schedules for their AC, meaning they only need to cool their units when they’re physically present. If plans change, users can easily change their thermostat settings remotely and move about their day. This allows renters to make a significant dent in their energy consumption. Smart apartment tech can also allow residents to reserve or access amenities like workspaces. They can use their phone, a fob, or a key card to easily enter community spaces and get to work.
Modern apartment design should reflect the realities of renters’ lifestyles. Work-from-home is here to stay, so catering to remote employees is essential for any multifamily community. Shared workspaces, smart apartment tech, and robust community-wide WiFi are key elements of any up-to-date property. Residents’ communities become a hub for work, rest, and play. It’s time to move beyond the outdated patchwork of internet agreements and stop making residents rely on hotspots for any internet use outside of their units. WFH-centered amenities aren’t going out of style anytime soon, so tailoring apartments to remote employees should be a top priority for multifamily operators.
