5 Design Strategies That Maximize ROI for Aging-Forward Urban Communities

2. Health, Wellness & Biophilic Integration

Wellness is no longer a luxury—it’s a baseline. Aging residents prioritize environments that support mental and physical vitality. CDG designs wellness-oriented spaces that serve as long-term retention tools and elevate property prestige.

Developer ROI:

• • Justifies higher rents with health-enhancing features
• • Promotes brand differentiation in competitive markets
• • Attracts wellness-focused residents who place long-term value over short-term rent discounts

High-impact features:

• • Light-filled fitness centers with low-impact equipment
• • Dedicated meditation rooms, massage areas, or salt therapy lounges
• • Biophilic elements: living walls, indoor planters, natural textures

3. Mixed-Use, Walkable Integration for Lifestyle Convenience

Older renters increasingly choose city-based, mixed-use developments because of access, not just amenities. Being able to walk to a pharmacy, café, or doctor’s office is a significant driver of retention.

Developer ROI:

• • Leverages ground-floor retail or services to increase NOI
• • Encourages longer leases by offering “urban aging-in-place”
• • Reduces transportation dependence and parking demand

CDG ensures residential interiors flow seamlessly with mixed-use spaces—designing lobbies, corridors, and common areas that feel like extensions of the urban fabric, not barriers to it.

4. Timeless Interiors That Improve with Age

Design that ages well is more than aesthetic—it’s about sustainability and reducing future renovation costs. CDG specializes in materials and layouts that are both ageless and elegant, reducing maintenance while appealing to discerning renters.

Developer ROI:

• • Lower lifecycle maintenance and replacement costs
• • Increased long-term property value through timeless design
• • Faster lease-up for units with strong visual continuity and enduring appeal

Design Elements:

• • Neutral palettes with contrast for visibility
• • Soft acoustics for noise control
• • Natural wood, matte brass, boucle, and other sensory-rich materials

5. Smart Technology That Supports Independence and Safety

Aging residents are more tech-savvy than ever. CDG integrates discreet, senior-friendly smart features that support autonomy while enhancing security and convenience.

Developer ROI:

• Adds perceived and actual value to units (smart = premium)
• Reduces staffing needs with automated systems
• Differentiates from dated or less-enabled competing properties

Examples:

• • Voice-activated lighting, temperature, and security
• • Smart elevators, keyless entry, and facial recognition intercoms
• • Resident apps with service integration (medical alerts, meal delivery, concierge)

Mixed-Use in Action: The Urban Village Model

Across markets like Chicago’s Near North Side, Jersey City’s waterfront, and fast-growing hubs like Charlotte and Atlanta, CDG is seeing success in a “city within a building” model, where luxury multifamily sits above health clinics, co-working lounges, cafes, and wellness centers.

By aligning interior architecture with the mixed-use vision, developers can:

• • Capture both rent and retail revenue
• • Offer built-in convenience for aging renters
• • Create a one-stop lifestyle environment that justifies premium pricing

Final Word: Aging Is the Future — and It Pays

For developers, the opportunity is clear: by embracing aging-forward design, you’re not only doing right by your residents, you’re also future-proofing your investment. At The Childs Dreyfus Group, our team of interior architects and design strategists partner with multifamily developers nationwide to craft award-winning environments that drive long-term ROI.

We understand what your aging residents want—and how to deliver it without compromising on elegance, efficiency, or profitability.

Let’s Design the Future of Urban Aging—Together

Whether you’re planning a new luxury high-rise in New York, repositioning an asset in Chicago, or entering a growth market like Dallas or Charlotte, CDG is your partner in delivering design-driven results that last decades.