What makes people want to move into a building? What turns a structure from just another face in the crowd into a waiting list? David Martin, the CEO of Terra Group, says that the answers to these questions depend on who you ask. That being established, though, he still has to figure out how his designs can speak to a specific demographic of people, and part of how he does this is through the amenities he chooses for his buildings.
Terra Group is the proud owner of a portfolio worth $8 billion, and the company didn’t get there through luck. Each building appeals to different types of people, so there needed to be a lot of introspection into how every square foot of the property could be utilized for the residents’ well-being. Martin details more about his thought process before deciding on each feature.
The first priority for Martin is always going to be adding value for the buyer. If he’s going to approve a design, he has to see exactly what each buyer is likely to take from their experience in the building. He has to consider how the person spends their weekdays and weekends, whether they’re likely to have a family, and what they want most when they finally put up their feet at the end of the day.
If you entered GLASS, a luxury development in Miami Beach, you’d find 10 full-floor residences just a few steps from the ocean. Each floor has 360° views, displaying the hustle and bustle of the city as well as the sea beyond. The first five floors of the development are common areas, and they include a pool, gym, and lounge areas. There’s an onsite estate manager, valet services, housekeeping, and 24-hour security. Residents can also head to their own beach club with attendant service and reserved umbrellas and chairs. These perks are far from excessive in Miami Beach, especially when you consider just how many busy professionals take up residence here.
David Martin, a man with plenty of constraints on his own time, looked at how each amenity would appeal to a typical buyer. The gym and pool would likely be seen as welcome sanctuaries after a grueling board meeting. The smooth, glassy water would provide a contrast to the sometimes choppy waves of the Atlantic, and the air-conditioned fitness center would make it easy to get a workout in on some of the hottest days of the year.
The 24-hour security makes it possible to rest easy about safety — especially if there are any young children living or visiting the building. Housekeeping and valet services make it easier to streamline the many chores that people have to get done throughout the day. These are advantages that any professional could take advantage of, and this was exactly why Martin chose to include them in GLASS.
On the other hand, developments like Botaniko Weston, a 125-home development that was designed by architects Chad Oppenheim and Roney Mateu, offer a different take on amenities. These are inviting homes that, as the name suggests, hope to tempt homeowners outside as much as they can. The greenery, lakes, and walking paths help residents practice the indoor/outdoor living that we should all be striving for.
David Martin knows that, while not everyone wants to be exposed to the elements, staying cooped up inside for days on end is never the right decision. Multiple green spaces allow families to play, host, or just soak up the sun for a few minutes. Polished concrete floors, glass, and hardwood make the interior spaces as functional as they are modern, and each selling point adds an expressive personality to every square inch of the 121 acres of the property.
David Martin Terra points out that location may be the primary rule of real estate, but there’s ultimately more to think about than just where someone lives. For instance, how much is a gated community worth to a retiree who’s just moved to Florida (and still trying to get their bearings together)? How much will a young family appreciate having private parks at their disposal for their little ones to run around in? What will a pool mean for someone who’s just sustained a muscle injury? Martin is known for thinking through each amenity in his buildings, so there’s no wasted space in his developments.
Terra Group is also thinking about the future with its construction of mixed-use facilities, such as 900 Biscayne Bay. Long before the pandemic shifted how we all live our lives, we were already heading toward a different kind of city lifestyle. This building is 1.5 million sq. ft. of retail, office, and living spaces. The 509 residential units are open and spacious, featuring terraces that showcase all the life of downtown Miami below. For anyone who wants to take care of a few errands without ever really leaving their ‘home’, this is the kind of convenience perk that David Martin Miami says can be truly priceless to the target demographic of the community.
David Martin Terra on Residential Amenities
When Martin of Terra thinks about residential amenities, he has to be aware of who is going to live in a place. It’s one thing to advertise luxury and quite another to deliver it day in and day out. Some of the amenities in Terra Group’s portfolio, like a fitness center or pool, may look standard, but you need only visit the building to see how they’re different. Terra Group’s portfolio has skyrocketed in value not just because they’re located in one of the most coveted cities in the country, but because David Martin and his father, former CEO Pedro Martin, have managed to tap into what people are really looking for. Turns out, it’s far more than just a stunning facade.
