Urban infill trends focus on people

Downtowns continue to grow. Young professionals and small families are rediscovering the richness of activities and culture in downtowns, such as in Tampa where there are 1000 downtown residential units underway. The City of Anaheim is looking to transform 807 acres of warehouses and parking lots around Angel Stadium into an urban village of 9000 homes (see image).

Interiors become a priority for self-expression. Older working professionals and retirees with discretionary income want beautiful buildings on the outside, but want simple interiors to customize to their needs and lifestyles. The younger set without the savings just want the latter, helping fuel the immense popularity of Target and Ikea.

Urban dwellers are looking for social interaction. Not only are third places, parks and streets vital for public meet-ups, but within the homes as well. Open-plan homes that allow a wide mix of activities with places for people to gather, with connected multipurpose spaces that provide greater flexibility and a more casual environment, are selling fastest.

Energy-conciousness is both environmentally and budget-minded. Developers are providing hidden improvements that appeal to energy- and efficiency-conscious residents, such as solar panels, high-performance glass, heat pumps and even green roofs.

What trends have you noticed in urban infill? Speak your mind below…

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