Not only do some of Manhattan’s newest luxury developments appear ahead of their time in their design from the outside, but on the inside, too it seems that urban living has suddenly jumped decades into the future.
Where better to start than the kitchen? Speed ovens are the current trend, replacing microwaves in many new buildings. They are way faster than conventional ovens using convection heat. Bertazzoni speed ovens will be installed as part of theClodagh-designed kitchens at the Citizen 360 condominium building which is being developed by Anbau in Yorkville, Manhattan.
Miele speed ovens are also feature at 505W19 being developed by the HFZ Capital Group, which neighbors the High Line as well as at Fifteen Hudson Yards. Look, also, for other hi-tech gadgets in the kitchen to include app enabled ranges and ovens that will allow owners to start roasting a chicken from the grocery store and browse the web for recipes on the appliance’s doors.
The bathroom is another area where technology is moving at lightening speed. There was a time when multiple body shower heads was the cutting edge. No more. Touch screens are no longer limited to your phone. Koehler has a new touchscreen-controlled shower and a toilet, also made by them deodorizes its contents. Useful! Temperature, lighting and music can now also be controlled by bathroom wall mounted pads. Some developers were innovators in taking technology to the next level. The Delos townhouse (66 East 11th St) have vitamin-C infused showers, an aromatherapy air supply and more.
New Yorkers know all about the importance of space and storage. With many Manhattanites relying on food deliveries or even wanting regular orders of fresh flowers, cold storage rooms are another amenity which might not be the most cutting edge technology wise but are being introduced to old and new buildings alike to ensure your Fresh Direct remains fresh.
Millennial New Yorkers or teens often crave the chance to get away from mom and dad for a while and hang out with their friends and watch a movie or play music. For parents too, hosting a cocktail party in the home can be a big hassle. Thus, the private lounge. These are have become common amenities. Fifteen Hudson Yards takes it to another level, with the 51st floor hosting lounges, private dining suites and a club room as well collaborative work space. The Kent on the Upper East Side has a music room known as The Sound Lounge which Lenny Kravtiz helped design and The Austin Nichols House in Williamsburg also has a music room for musicians and a screening room.
Waterline Square between Hudson River Park and Central Park is creating a tremendous amount buzz. The Waterline Club’s amenities are stunning. Not only are there top of the range sporting facilitiesthat would give Chelsea Piers a run for its money (an indoor soccer field and skate park along with the gym, pool, tennis etc) but there’s social hub with workstations, a party room, screening/performance space and a business center and parlor lounge. Expect technology to play a big role in these type of rooms, not only with mobile networking but screening facilities and state-of-the-art sound systems.
Many buildings now offer smart phone controlled utilities and entertainment systems as well as charging stations for electric cars such as Related’s 70 Vestry in Tribeca. Indeed, energy efficiency is tremendously important to developers. HVAC systems have come a long way in a few years. Roof top gardens, solar power, high efficiency toilets and glass and sustainable wood flooring are common phrases in countless brochures from developers aiming to points for their eco friendly design. Dozens of the new constructions in New York are LEED certified, many to their coveted silver and goldstandard.
Security is also keeping pace. Increasingly common is keyless, fingerprint technology for access. It means that the sci-fi like versions of urban living you once only saw in the movies are now a reality. Expect all of this this to give many of NYC’s newest buildings a distinct advantage over the competition in attracting buyers.