Developers are going above and beyond to continually innovate and create residential homes that not only offer a place to live but elevate modern living with high-spec amenities and sought-after communal areas.
From high-rise apartments in bustling cities to sprawling suburban developments, the addition of sophisticated amenities has become a key factor in attracting prospective homeowners and tenants. The types of amenities will vary with some offering communal parks and electric vehicle charging stations to others with anything from accessible pools, gyms, tennis courts and even cinemas!
When moving to a new area, these communal facilities can make all the difference to settling in. Whether you’re setting up friendly matches on the tennis courts or meeting new people in the local cafe, the communal nature of these amenities encourages social interaction and fosters a sense of community.
We explore some of the coolest amenities that are redefining new build living in the 21st century.
1. Tennis courts
Has Wimbledon inspired you to take up a new hobby? Having access to well-maintained tennis courts is a rare privilege, enabling you to get regular exercise and brush up on your tennis skills. Across the country, new build developments are offering private tennis courts to residents or including memberships to nearby courts as an added bonus.
Our data reveals the most popular places for new builds with easy access to tennis courts*, which includes Bexley in Greater London with 145 properties with courts for sale, Northumberland with 124 courts, Broadland with 107, Mid Sussex with 87 and Hart in Hampshire also with 87.
We also looked at how much a property, old or new, with a tennis court will set you back and where you can find the most properties with a tennis court. Brighton and Hove, Cornwall and Buckinghamshire are the three locations with the highest number of properties with a tennis court. And as for price, it’s probably not as much as you think with the cheapest property with a tennis court being £220,000.
On the flipside, the most expensive areas to buy a property with a tennis court include Buckinghamshire with an average price of £33,000,000, New Forest at £17,176,875, Elmbridge in Surrey at £9,533,620, East Hertfordshire near London at £7,995,000 and Uttlesford in Essex at £6,950,000. These affluent areas are highly sought-after and boast stunning new build properties with top-of-the-range amenities.
The epitome of luxury, feast your eyes on this stunning seven-bedroom detached house in Buckinghamshire that features a tennis court, in addition to an indoor swimming pool and spa complex, a home cinema, guest house, and a boat house.
Alternatively, these modern three-bedroom terrace houses in Uttlesford boast contemporary living just minutes walk away from the busting Saffron Waldon high street. Best of all, they come with a host of amenities, including landscaped grounds, tennis courts and multi-use games areas.
2. Swimming pools
Imagine starting your morning with a few laps in the pool or winding down with a dip after a stressful day. Having a swimming pool in your home is a dream for many and new build developers are making this dream a reality, even for first-time buyers. In London alone, there are over one thousand new properties with swimming pools.
If your budget allows, there are also luxury options available, some of which offer 20-metre swimming pools, tropical-inspired ones and even rooftop pools.
3. Gyms and classes
Gone are the days of basic fitness centres with just a few machines. Today’s new builds boast expansive gyms equipped with the latest workout technology, as well as spaces for yoga, pilates, and spin classes. On-site fitness classes led by professional trainers offer residents convenient access to a variety of workouts, promoting a healthy lifestyle right on your doorstep. There are’s no more excuses to skip a workout!
Have you seen Prince of Wales Drive? It’s a stunning apartment building in Zone 1 that offers a 17m pool, sauna, steam room, cinema, flexible work space, games area, private podium garden, karaoke room, screening room, parking, and more!
4. Nearby shops
Many new build homes are conveniently located around shops and cafes. In fact, an increasing number of residential sites are built around and above large supermarkets, repurposing their land, creating more homes, and encouraging more opportunities for employment too. There are many benefits to this, notably if you don’t have a car, a common occurrence in London and other big cities, you can easily do your weekly shop without travelling too far to travel.
5. Cinemas
Experience the surround sound and big screens of commercial cinemas in the comfort of your own home. Select luxury new homes now come with state-of-the-art private cinema rooms for resident use only. These cinemas typically work using a booking system, either through the building’s app or at the concierge desk. You simply book a time slot and make use of major streaming services, like Netflix or Disney+, with comfy seating, and plenty of space for your friends and family to come along too.
For example, Berkeley’s 250 City Road offers residents a screening room and karaoke on-site!
6. Rooftop terraces and gardens
Living in a high-rise apartment or second-floor flat can mean outdoor space is limited, however, many new apartment buildings offer plenty of stunning communal outdoor space to compensate. Particularly in cities where space is hard to come by, you can now soak up the sun on a rooftop terrace or podium garden with city views.
7. Wellness centres and spas
Life can get stressful and having a wellness centre or spa in your building can be a true blessing. These facilities often include yoga studios, saunas, hydrotherapy pools, jacuzzis, and treatment rooms. They provide a sanctuary for relaxation and some much-needed self-care, and can drastically improve your quality of life. Treating yourself to a spa day can be a costly expense so having this available to you as part of your service charge can actually work out more cost effective, and gives you access as and when you need it.
8. Co-working spaces
Co-working spaces have become increasingly popular over the past few years, especially with the boom in remote-working during and post-pandemic. Numerous serviced apartments offer co-working spaces with 24-hour access, complimentary WiFi, air conditioning, teas and coffees and meeting rooms, all of which are often included as part of your rent or service charge.
Just like gym memberships and spa days, co-working memberships can be costly and are also often situated in central locations. Cut the cost and the commute. Instead, live in a new build where working from home couldn’t be easier.
9. Pet-friendly facilities
When it comes to moving home with a four-legged friend, it can be challenging to find the right place that a) actually allows pets and b) offers the right facilities for one. Plenty of new build houses and flats allow for dogs, and some even offer extra special facilities, such as dog washrooms, pet-friendly furniture packs, and pet sitting services. It sounds like every dog-parents dream!
At OnTheMarket, we have hundreds of pet-friendly new homes to choose from with ample green spaces and parks.
10. Electrical vehicle (EV) charging stations
As electric vehicles become more popular, having convenient access to EV charging stations is a significant perk, especially as available stations can be tricky to find nearby your home. Many new residential developments are incorporating these stations into their parking facilities, making it easier for residents to own and operate electric cars.
In fact, as of June 2022, new homes and buildings in England are required by law to have EV charging points. This is part of the country’s efforts to reach zero emissions by 2025.
11. Parks and playgrounds
Family-friendly living is enhanced by the inclusion of parks and playgrounds within residential communities. These spaces provide safe environments for children to play and explore, while also offering recreational areas for adults, contributing to healthier lifestyles and fostering a sense of community among residents.
12. Nurseries and schools
The majority of new housing developments are built in close proximity to schools and many even feature on-site nurseries and schools, which are a game-changer for families with children. Access to childcare within the residential complex can provide convenience and peace of mind for parents who want easy drop off and pick ups on their way to and from work.
Proximity to schools also means children have shorter and safer commutes, including easy cycle routes and walking paths, allowing for more family time and less stress for parents. Not to mention, you’re highly likely to be in a school catchment area, giving your children priority to local schools.
The amenities in new residential builds are becoming increasingly sophisticated and setting the new standards for modern living. As developers continue to push the envelope, we can expect even more exciting and thoughtful amenities in the future, making urban living more convenient, enjoyable, and sustainable.
Want to see what’s on offer in your area? Browse thousands of new build homes and find your dream property with OnTheMarket.
*We pulled data from our current (08/07/24) new home property listings, which include the keyword ‘tennis court’ within the description, which means it includes properties with private tennis courts, communal tennis courts, and those with tennis courts nearby.
