Gyms, pools & cinemas are USPs in BTR

Operations

A guide to the design and operation of leisure facilities in Build to Rent

Adding the right leisure facilities improves customer experience and can translate into longer tenancies, but they must be properly run and well maintained

Leisure facilities in Build to Rent developments provide a desirable amenity space which can help developers build a community feeling by engaging with like-minded residents.听听

Leisure facilities can also act as a unique selling proposition (USP) by providing amenities that competing developments don鈥檛 have.

It can also allow investors to charge a premium on the rent, over and above the extra cost of installing a facility.

Finally, it will improve the overall wellbeing and happiness of residents, and happy residents can translate into longer tenancies.鈥赌�

What leisure facilities do residents want and what are the advantages and disadvantages of each?鈥�

FACILITY TYPE	ADVANTAGES	DISADVANTAGES
GYM	Most popular facility Relatively low cost to install鈥� Can be installed to any level within a development鈥� Excellent way to engage with residents鈥� Low running cost鈥�	Can take up quite a large space鈥�
POOLS & SPAS	Pools are uncommon in BTR so provide a real USP鈥� Can be installed on any level but do well on ground floors or basements鈥�	Higher running costs鈥� Complex management requirements鈥� Can be very expensive to install鈥�
GROUP EXERCISE	Small space requirements鈥� Virtual studio has very low running costs鈥� Staffed classes could provide an additional income stream鈥� Very low cost to install鈥� Provides a flexible space for multi-purpose use (given the right storage)鈥�	Providing lots of classes each week can become expensive鈥� Loose equipment is a potential trip hazard, and an easy target for thieves鈥� Booking and management of the studio is an additional task鈥€�
LOUNGE AREAS	Versatile space with multiple uses鈥� Good space to host resident events鈥� Small, private workspaces within larger communal spaces are popular鈥�	Other than at resident events, the spaces experience relatively low use鈥�
CINEMAS	Hugely popular for a wide demographic of residents including families鈥�	Expensive to install鈥� Ensuring the correct licences and subscriptions are in place can be costly鈥�

Design considerations

A well-designed gym can be very popular with residents but can also take up a large amount of space

Cost analysis and forecasting鈥�

The costs below are based on a mid-high specification of gym equipment from a leading manufacturer, supplied by .鈥赌�

听	PROJECT A	PROJECT B
Total number of apartments鈥�	250	750
Gross cost to buy equipment鈥�	拢108,000	拢195,000
Size of gym (sqm)鈥�	150sqm	280sqm
Gross cost per sqm of gym space鈥�	拢720	拢696
Gross monthly cost based on a 60-month lease鈥�	拢2,250	拢4,100
Cost per apartment per month鈥�	拢9	拢5.50

Operation of leisure facilities鈥�

With all elements of the operation of any facility, it is important to ensure the service provider who is being promoted to residents is up to the task of delivering the service required and that they, or their team, have the required qualifications, experience and insurances.

Partnering with a reputable company might be marginally more expensive than a local 鈥渙ne-man-band鈥� trainer, but it will provide peace of mind that the facility and the residents are in safe hands.鈥赌�

Gyms鈥�

Inductions: Considered best practice to ensure safe use of equipment by residents and to ensure they get the most out of their gym facility鈥�

Maintenance:听Minimum bi-annual servicing of equipment鈥�

Personal training:鈥鼼reat additional service to offer residents; try to refrain from allowing residents to bring their own trainers as the management of this becomes problematic and there are grey areas over liability鈥€�

Classes and events: A cost-effective way to provide group activities for like-minded residents, for example running clubs, outdoor yoga

Swimming pools and spas鈥�

User safety: 听Complex guidance over safety requirements of a pool relating to whether lifeguards are or aren鈥檛 required along with the various design and operational requirements鈥�

Staff training:鈥齋taff who are designated 鈥渙n-call鈥� must be pool responder and first aid trained. There should also be an on-site staff member who is competent in pool plant鈥�

Maintenance:鈥齎aries depending on usage but, generally speaking, weekly service visits should suffice. However, water testing is required at least three times per day on a pool and every two hours on a spa pool鈥�

Water testing: Minimum three times per day on a pool and more frequently (up to every two hours) on a spa pool鈥�

Sauna & steam room:鈥� Different councils have differing requirements on their management; refer to the relevant special treatment licence terms鈥€�

Enter your email address below to log in.

Don鈥檛 worry if you don鈥檛 yet have an account and password. If you work for one of our member companies, our system will recognise your email and help you set up your account.

Email address

Forgot your password?

Not a member?

The ARL is the leading member association for all those involved in the Build to Rent sector. Members get access to the Best Practice Guide as a benefit of membership. Members also get access to our events program, opportunities to join Forums and Working Groups and our research and thought leadership outputs.

Join now Contact us

黑料专区