Don’t look now but Generation Y (that’s people in their 20’s) is already beginning to influence new condo amenities, and any condo lifestyle accounting for Gen Y foretells a future filled with high tech goodness.

While we still mostly think of urban condos as an oasis for middle-age urban professionals and empty nesters who have moved back to the city, Generation Y now with a combined US earning power of $1.6 trillion wants to change that perception and change lock-n-go living even more.

As most developers continue to build with the older set in mind at least one developer, Novare Group in Atlanta whose niche market is affordable urban condo towers for young professionals, is listening to the future.

What are they hearing? Generation Y is demanding exactly what they have been brought up on - high tech gadgetry and conveniences that revolve around advanced electronics. A lot of current condo buildings offer electronic security monitoring, Internet wiring, and big screen TV’s in the clubhouse, but that isn’t high tech to someone who graduated high school after the Internet boom (and some even after the Internet bubble). Sure, Novare like other developers utilizes LCD screens in fitness center equipment so homeowners can watch TV on the run (literally), but Gen Y is demanding a lot more, such as an online system that enables residents to place restaurant orders from remote locations.

And that’s just the start. Since Generation Y has been brought up to believe everything is possible and their lifestyle should suit them Novare’s new Viewpoint condo tower in Atlanta adds technology that enables a young buyer to customize their whole building environmental experience, not just a particular purchased condo.

Novare To The Rescue
Here’s how it works. Let’s say you are having family or friends over to see your new place. You reach the front door and with a swipe of your electronic key card the building morphs into your pre-set preferences. As you saunter through the building art hanging on the lobby walls smartly changes to your preselected tastes, and as you enter the elevator to begin the climb up toward your condo music you enjoy accompanies you along the way. The elevator display also brings up messages and announcements that pertain to you, and all this is after TV’s in the parking deck elevator have shown you your favorite channel.

Technological amenities designed to suit Gen Y don’t stop there. WiFi hotspots are located throughout the building ensuring residents stay connected to the web as you move around, Ipod (they’ve had one since high school) docking stations are linked into the clubroom audio system, and just in case you actually need wires to connect (that is so last generation), the clubroom also includes Internet terminals.

To Generation Y being social is more than just a personality trait. Constant communication with friends is a lifestyle trend Gen Y has perfected like no other group before them, and Viewpoint makes it simple to access infotainment (redefined by Gen Y) instantly. At the push of a button you can communicate with and request services from the concierge, gossip with neighbors in the building chat room, and even contact the board of directors or management office.

Novare Group has also integrated technology features every Viewpoint buyer can appreciate - not just Gen Y. At your own console you can program your home’s temperature to auto adjust when you leave or come home, report maintenance issues or submit maintenance requests, access appliance operating manuals, and even get tips on how to care for your new condo.

Home Of The Future
Living Gen Y is expected to be the catalyst that delivers many of the home technological innovations we’ve heard about and have been promised for years. In fact a big part of the future competition between (I’m a) PC and (I’m a) Mac will be about who can more effectively influence our in-house lifestyle. Microsoft has already pushed it’s Home Of The Future, and even though Apple has been relatively quiet on the subject (true to form), one has to believe their product planning is largely based on this idea (use your IPhone to pre-heat your oven, turn down your thermostat or Tivo your favorite shows for example).

Certainly those two won’t be the only contributors, Sony, Panasonic, Phillips and others see the future too, and the consumer battle will be fought around Gen Y wants and needs. Condo developers should take heed of what Novare already knows, the next buyer segment expects (not just wants) hi-tech conveniences like those integrated into Viewpoint. To help reluctant developers with the idea, they should consider the almost staggering statistic that by the year 2015 Gen Y will account for more than one third of the US population (and a higher percentage in many Euro and Euro-Asian countries). Condo lifestyles are about convenience and Gen Y with their penchant for anything that makes any task more convenient may turn out to be the spark that ignites the next condo boom.

Media: Viewpoint Atlanta