High-Rise Interior Designers Target Demographics

Boomers and Millennials living together may be reminiscent of a quote from Dr. Peter Venkman in Ghostbusters (1984), and aside from the high-riseliving in that blockbuster, the two age groups have more in common than just the desire to live without a major commute to work.

How does this affect high-rise interior design?

The answer is demographics. Developers are building more high-rise apartments because of the increasing number of Baby Boomers (52 to 70 years old) comprising today’s renters, are leaving their single-family homes behind. As a result, they desire a more interactive lifestyle, where essential conveniences are walk-able and dispelling the idea of, “good fences make good neighbors.”  The appeal of community combined with hospitality and resort-like amenities has Boomers as a large portion of high-rise apartment renters.

The other half of this trend are Millennials (19 to 35 years old). While their needs are less about square footage and more about price, Millennials desire socializing and technology-rich amenities. Especially relevant is how the high-rise lifestyle features from both of these age groups has unleashed the creativity of interior designers nationwide.

Vertical growth for designers

Positive urban change is a practiced opportunity that is supported by interior designers across all growing U.S. metropolitan areas. Taller and larger multifamily apartment development is crucial in areas where real estate prices have skyrocketed. The notion of building up and not out will likely continue for the next several years. Interior designers attribute this trend to demographic, economic, and lifestyle preferences of renters. Increasingly, high-rise apartments and condos are becoming the center of social life. State-of-the-art fitness centers, cutting-edge restaurants, along with trendy salons and shopping are often all part of a developer’s master plan.

A city such as Chicago, with an established history of high-rise development, continues to see a large number of new projects on the horizon. New players who have entered the high-rise boom are Dallas, Austin, and Nashville. Likewise, interior design groups in these cities are seeing the number of their high-rise projects increase dramatically.

The increasing costs of land, labor and building materials are encouraging developers in larger metro areas to build upwards, adding more units and floors to keep their projects profitable.

Interior designers help bridge the high-rise gap

Millennials, fresh from college and jump-starting their careers, have spent a few years in student housing. Therefore, many of the interior design features of student housing are amenities Millennials love. Common areas for socializing, comfortable seating, and fast wi-fi connectivity are inherently multifamily design features. Boomers are attracted to multifamily living because they desire services such as concierge, hospitality, and fitness. Both age groups want smaller living spaces with upgraded features.

What do both Millennials and Boomers love? They love the high-rise views. Talk about a fabulous interior design feature to work with!

In conclusion, an interior design group can help developers incorporate sweeping skyline views, hospitality, comfortable common areas, and luxury upgrades into high-rise design. They can educate about space planning with appropriate and relevant interior amenities. Most of all, interior designers can help achieve the right atmosphere for their client’s demographics and budget.