Bethesda Condos - It's Not About Square Footage?

When it comes to condos in the Greater Bethesda area (and most of DC Metro area for that matter), it seems as though developers are missing out on the “out”.  Huh?  What I mean is that they aren’t paying enough attention to outside spaces – they have interior square footage “tunnel vision”.

More and more new buildings are being constructed in Bethesda and beyond with little, if any, balcony or terrace space…and rooftop space (except perhaps very small, communal areas) are almost non-existent.  Compare this to New York City, where there appears to be a move afoot to create condos with Zen gardens.  Perhaps it’s the popularity of the “green” movement that’s prompting these NY developers, but no matter why it’s happening, this trend needs to move south (in my opinion).

Many Greater Bethesda area developers have been working under the assumption that you can’t "sell" exterior space.  Because of this, they have built condo developments where a unit (selling in the seven figures) has, at best, a door that opens to a Juliet balcony.  This allows for fresh air to enter, but not for a person to sit outside and drink coffee with the morning paper. 

We are finding more and more clients who want the conveniences of condo/urban living, but still want some outdoor space that they can call their own.  For most, It doesn’t have to be enormous, but it does have to allow for that cup of coffee in the morning or a glass of wine in the evening.  I think the first Bethesda area developers to figure out the "outside demand" will reap tremendous rewards.  After all, when you offer the buyer the product  they've been asking for, they tend to appreciate it!

Contriubting Blogger(s) - Gretchen & Kevin Koitz

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