When Getting Outside Keeps Luxury Renters In

As the weather warms and spring takes hold, engaging people outside of their building through innovative experiences and activations becomes key in retention. “Space and open-air amenities were more important than work-from-home amenities,” according to GlobeSt’s analysis of a 2021 RentCafe survey on renter preferences. At URBN Playground, we focus on programming that inspires connection with a focus on engagement beyond the built environment. 

Fitness is a critical opportunity for building community outside the home. This can be done by traditional classes, group runs, and marathon training, or through unconventional programming. For Earth Day, we have Brooklyn and Manhattan tenants signed up in groups to “plog” – or pick up and jog – focusing on cleaning the streets by picking up litter with your neighbors.

During the pandemic, many people learned the art of entertaining outdoors. Yet URBN has planned outdoor events far before Covid. Families line up for our outdoor movie nights, where some buildings opt for a giant inflatable screen for twice-a-month summer movie nights. Casablanca in the courtyard, with Moroccan iced mint tea anyone?

For our littlest residents, music classes relocate into the sunshine, and the Sunny Songsters perform for ARO and the Oosten buildings throughout New York City in building amenity terraces, roof-decks, or courtyards.

Warmer months usher in the Ice cream carts, outdoor wine tastings, and bubble shows. And as renewal season comes due, renters are likely to reflect on the memories they make with the experiences with neighborhoods in and around their homes.