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Accommodating families is more than just the human component, which is why high-rise living is now creating welcoming spaces to their furry loved ones.
CNBC’s article Builders Woo Pet Lovers with Pet Spas, Rooftop Walks noted it’s not unusual to find a wide array of amenities geared toward pet owners. These range from pet-washing stations, full-service pet spas, places to walk dogs indoors, outdoor dog runs and even canine agility courses, according to the article.
Don’t be surprised to also find even dedicated dog parks, canine grass, and specific services catering to pets and their owners.
The primary reason behind this pet catering growth is that currently 68 percent of American households now own a pet, accounting for 84.6 million pet-owning households, up from 79.7 million petowning households in 2015, according to PetIndustry.com.
Houston high-rise builders and developers are taking note. From River Oaks to Memorial and more, pet-friendly options are ever present.
Embracing pets as part of the family is how residents are finding happiness and most important, convenience in how they want to care for their pets at all times.
Mimosa Terrace on Kirby has found a happy medium where the outdoors and indoors converge.
Its oversized terraces — complete with built-in garden planters, fire pits, tree planting systems and a summer kitchen — also provide residents with pet-friendly areas in their “yard in the sky.”
Owners can have dedicated pet balconies, curated pet spas and the highly desired porch potty, which is an 8-foot square of synthetic grass that can simply be rinsed off. A porch potty typically drains automatically to a 14-foot drain hose.
The Sophie at Bayou Bend on Memorial Drive also is able to provide a porch potty for pets plus dog walking areas.
Betty M. Harbourt, senior vice president of marketing at Sudhoff Companies, said offering a variety of pet amenities is a significant component when planning and designing a building.
“Pets are the ‘children’ of condominium owners,” Harbourt said. “Their lives are flexible and their furry children are an important part of who they are and how they live. It’s often the first question a potential buyer wants to understand, ‘How can my dog live here too?’, or ‘Is there a weight limit?ʼ, etc.”
Convenience to these amenities such as easy access to potty areas is a high priority, Harbourt said.
“Many owners are moving from a singlefamily house where they can easily open the door for their dog to run out quickly. There is no reason living in a condominium needs to be any different. Our patios are typically outdoor living areas with grills, areas for container gardening and a porch potty,” she said.
Tack on added pet services, and the pet experience can be enjoyed easily.
“Another feature is a dog walking service that can be arranged by the building concierge,” Harbourt said. “They can coordinate with others dog owners in the building. This is an extension of community that is often established in our buildings. Having a group dog walker extends the community through the building’s four-legged residents.”
Residents can find pet amenities nearly anywhere throughout the city.
Places such as Memorial by Windsor is near Buffalo Bayou and leads directly to Johnny Steele Dog Park, while Mosaic on Hermann Park, Millennium High Street and Hanover Montrose tout their own dog park.
Will Stolz, founder and owner of Stolz Partners, said potential buyers are excited to see their options.
“It is a reason they choose to buy. They are moving their family, and the building needs to work for everyone — two-legged and four-legged,” he said.