Luxury Lifestyle Services Gain In Apartment Amenity Race

These days, it seems every high-end condominium building is vying to best their rivals in the array of luxe amenities they deliver to their well-heeled buyers. But some experts believe the amenities most desired by these affluent residents are not necessarily physical elements like pools, spas, fitness centers, business centers and theater rooms.

Instead, they say, work-weary, time-stressed condo buyers are placing increased importance on on-site services that save them time and effort and enhance convenience. The cache of fitness centers and party rooms is as important as ever, but on-the-go buyers increasingly are seeking simplified access to lifestyle experiences. Developers of lifestyle-driven buildings are responding with an array of innovative services. Decluttering and relocation services, personal concierges and car-and-driver amenities are among the lifestyle extras being offered by new luxury condominium towers from South Florida to New York City and Chicago.

Designed to declutter

Giralda Place, a stunning, Mediterranean Revival-style community in the Miami suburb of Coral Gables, Fla., offers prospective buyers all the physical amenities expected of a high-end residential structure. These include a state-of-the-art fitness center, assigned parking spaces, electric vehicle charging stations, 24-7 video security monitoring, smart climate control and 7^th floor residents-only private pool with leisure level, day beds and wet bar.

But the developers of Giralda Place didn’t overlook their future buyers’ need to have some of the responsibilities of ownership lifted from their overburdened shoulders.

The building has forged an exclusive partnership with nationally-renowned white glove home organization service company NEAT Method to help owners conquer the chaos of their cluttered worlds. As a result of the union, Giralda Place’s condo buyers are offered access to special rates and tailored packages designed to help them along the decluttering journey.

The NEAT Method services extend all the way from color-coordinated, labeled pantries to creative closet creations that go beyond home buyers’ wildest dreams.

Also offered are 24-hour hand holding for hoarders hesitant to let go, and relocation services that help future Giralda Place residents rid themselves of excesses before they move to Coral Gables from NEAT Method’s 30 cities, among them New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. NEAT Method even handles a full unpack at Giralda Place.

“We found that as much as residents appreciate amenity spaces, it was just as important to extend services that directly impact their lifestyles in a positive way, by easing daily functions and adding conveniences,” says Cristo Brown, Giralda Place co-developer.

“Our partnership with NEAT Method was an opportunity to think outside the box and complement offerings like ground-floor retail and walkability that allow residents to get the most out of the luxury living experience at Giralda Place.”

The Tower Attache

The luxe condominium building Madison Square Park Tower in New York City has garnered abundant ink for its broad selection of physical creature comforts. But the extra amenity building residents may appreciate most is “The Tower Attache.” The Attache serves as residents’ personal concierge, garnering access to Manhattan’s most enviable dining selections and cultural events. Services of The Tower Attache range from securing Hamilton tickets to pulling together fully-catered Super Bowl extravaganzas.

Halfway across the country in Chicago, the 71-unit Gold Coast luxury residential building called No. 9 Walton smooths the city’s rough edges by offering the services of a house car and driver. Looking to visit Lincoln Park or Bucktown for a night out? Want to hit the UC for a Bulls or Blackhawk game?  There’s no need to line up a life from Lyft. Residents need only call for the No. 9 Walton house car and driver, and their worries about traffic and parking disappear as quickly as bribes into an alderman’s pocket.

This post first appeared on Forbes.com. To see the original, click here.