Greystar 2025 Design Survey: Fitness, Wellness, and Social Spaces Lead Shifts in Renter Priorities

Charleston, SC - January 14, 2026 - Greystar, a global leader in rental housing, investment management, development, and property management, has released its 2025 Design Survey Report, offering insights into renter preferences nationwide. Drawing on insights from more than 137,000 Greystar residents, the report identifies the top five most desired amenities and tracks emerging trends shaping the rental housing market across regions.

Top 5 Most Desired Amenities Nationwide
• Walk‑in closets
88% of renters expressed interest, and 38% would not rent without them. This feature was especially critical in Miami, Tampa, and Charlotte, where more than 90% of renters expressed interest.
• Large windows and abundant natural light
87% prioritize this feature. Interest was strongest in New York at 93%, with Boston and San Jose close behind at 91%.
• Fresh air ventilation
85% indicated interest, with the highest demand in West Coast markets. In San Jose, 90% of renters said this was important or essential.
• Covered parking or garages
84% value secure parking, with an average expected rent premium of $78 per month. This is particularly important in urban and Sunbelt markets.
• Fitness centers
83% of renters now consider fitness centers important or essential, pushing them into the top five for the first time. 68% of renters report using them regularly, with demand highest for free weights, 24/7 access, and water stations.

"Our 2025 Design Survey shows a clear pivot in renter priorities. For the first time, fitness centers have entered the top five amenities, while interest in paying premiums for sustainability features has softened. That balance of wellness, lifestyle, and cost‑conscious decision making reflects how renters are reshaping what ‘value’ means in housing today," said Quinn Eddins, Managing Director of Research and Analytics Services at Greystar.

Emerging Trends
• Entertainment amenities are on the rise
Outdoor cinemas climbed nearly seven percentage points in popularity and are now favored by half of renters nationwide. Gaming rooms and community clubhouses also posted strong gains, reflecting growing interest in spaces that foster social connection.
• Sustainability remains valued but with reduced premiums
While features such as fresh air ventilation and energy efficient lighting remain popular, renters’ willingness to pay extra for sustainability declined by an average of 24% year-over-year.
• Technology and security expectations are strengthening
Controlled community access, smart locks, and managed Wi‑Fi all ranked in the top half of preferred features, underscoring demand for convenience and security.

"Renters are telling us they want more than four walls. They want communities that support their lifestyle. Outdoor cinemas, clubhouses, and gaming rooms saw some of the largest gains in interest this year, signaling that renters are prioritizing connection and experiences alongside traditional must-haves like closets and natural light," said Eddins.

Regional Preferences and Trends
• Northeast (New York, Boston, DC)
Large windows dominate, with 93% of New York renters saying natural light is essential. Walkability and proximity to grocery stores are top neighborhood priorities, while modular closets and controlled access are especially valued in high rise properties.
• Midwest (Chicago, Minneapolis)
Renters strongly prefer side‑by‑side washers and dryers as well as built-in storage near bedrooms. Indoor co‑working with private, bookable offices is in high demand, reflecting how renters in colder climates prioritize indoor amenities.
• South (Atlanta, Charlotte, Dallas)
Walk‑in closets are critical, with Dallas renters prioritizing them more than their counterparts in any other region. Outdoor amenities such as pools, barbecue grills, and green space consistently rank high, while reserved and covered parking remain important.
• Pacific Northwest (Seattle, Portland)
Fresh air ventilation and eco‑friendly pest control are non-negotiables, underscoring a strong sustainability focus. Renters also prioritize large windows for natural light, and technology adoption is higher than in many other regions, particularly for managed Wi‑Fi and smart locks.
• Mountain West (Denver, Salt Lake City)
Fitness centers and nearby green space are top draws, reflecting the region’s active lifestyle. Energy efficiency, including high efficiency appliances and premium air filters, resonates strongly. Renters here show higher interest in outdoor recreational amenities such as hot tubs and lawn games.
• California (Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego)
Indoor-outdoor living is a defining feature, with renters valuing personal balconies and patios with dual access from the living room and bedroom. Large windows are considered a must have, particularly in high rise apartments, while pools remain popular but take a back seat to natural light and outdoor space.
• Sunbelt (Miami, Tampa, Houston, Phoenix)
Pools and fitness centers are viewed as non-negotiables in these warmer climates. Renters also put a premium on covered parking and shaded green space. Outdoor cinemas gained strong traction in markets such as Tampa and Atlanta, with double digit increases in interest year-over-year.

"The data reinforces that developers cannot take a one-size-fits-all approach. Walk-in closets and natural light remain universal, but we see sharp regional differences. West Coast renters emphasize sustainability and ventilation, while Sunbelt residents demand pools and shaded outdoor space. The takeaway is clear. Localizing design decisions is now a competitive advantage," said Eddins.

About the 2025 Design Survey Report
Greystar’s annual Design Survey Report is based on more than 137,000 responses collected from Greystar residents. The survey evaluates more than 50 attributes ranging from apartment features to community-wide offerings while capturing year-over-year shifts in renter priorities. With expanded insights into entertainment, technology, and sustainability, the 2025 edition provides actionable intelligence for multifamily developers, owners, and operators.

About Greystar
Greystar is a leading, fully integrated global real estate platform offering expertise in property management, investment management, development, and construction services in institutional-quality rental housing. Headquartered in Charleston, South Carolina, Greystar manages and operates over $300 billion of real estate in over 260 markets globally with offices throughout North America, Europe, South America, and the Asia-Pacific region. Greystar is the largest operator of apartments in the United States, managing more than one million units/beds globally. Across its platforms, Greystar has over $79 billion of assets under management, including approximately $36 billion of development assets and over $30 billion of regulatory assets under management. Greystar was founded by Bob Faith in 1993 to become a provider of world-class service in the rental residential real estate business. To learn more, visit www.greystar.com.

Media Inquiries
Garrett Derderian
Senior Director, Head of External Communications, Americas & APAC
garrett.derderian@greystar.com