Must Love Dogs: Luxury Buildings Offer Amenities for Four-Legged Residents

By Drew Limsky Hopefully, Jason Walker’s rescue dogs won’t know the difference between the loggia of his pied-à-terre in a Texas high-rise and an actual dog park. For his new 1,700-square-foot condo at the 35-story Residences at The Allen in Houston, the longtime Douglas Elliman broker will have his glass-railed balcony turned into a scene more fit for the ground level—at least from a dog’s-eye view. The amenities? A grassy strip punctuated by a fire hydrant. Douglas Elliman’s Jason Walker poses with his fur family in front of their pet-friendly lower Manhattan home, One Wall Street. And that’s not AstroTurf lining the innovative pet- relief station; it’s actual sod, configured for drainage. “As part of my common charges, that gets changed every month for a new patch,” Walker says. His mini dog park, earmarked for the two dogs he saved from China, is not an anomaly: The design feature will be available to any homeowner with adequate outdoor space to house it at The Allen, which is scheduled for completion in 2023. Accommodating dogs and their owners with everything from in-home dog runs to dog-washing stations has become key to attracting condo and co-op buyers, a trend driven at least in part by the increasing numbers of people who adopted pets during the pandemic. (About 23 million homes in the U.S.—one in five—have acquired a cat or dog since the onset of COVID-19, according to research by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.) Catering to the pet set is a smart business move, says Walker, who estimates that as many as half the residents in many condos and co-ops today own dogs. “And these are super-luxury towers we’re talking about,” he adds. The Allen, for instance, will be anchored by a Thompson Hotel and contain three restaurants, a pool, a spa, and a rooftop heliport. Arguably just as important for owners like Walker and his four-legged companions: The building offers dog-walking services and is situated just a few steps from Houston’s largest dog park. In the meantime, in his home base of New York, Walker is closing on an apartment at the equally pro-pet One Wall Street, an iconic Art Deco limestone skyscraper being converted into a dazzling condo tower by developer Harry Macklowe. “The building is doing a lot for pets to entice buyers,” Walker says, “including pet-friendly concierges and a full array of pet services. They are going to partner with dog-walking services and doggie day cares. One Wall Street is definitely a building that understands the value of a dog.” Miami’s pet- friendly Standard Residences boasts a grooming spa. DOG DAYS Of course dog-friendly buildings aren’t the only thing that matters to canine lovers. Prospective buyers should look for neighborhood pet services as well as parks and dog runs. One Wall Street, for example, is across the street from Biscuits & Bath, which offers doggie day care; training sessions; cageless, supervised overnight care; and on-site veterinary services. Walker has observed that buildings with retail on the ground floor are increasingly focused on shops and services for pets. For those who work in offices, travel, or simply worry about getting home late for dinner with their darlings, Walker notes that an increasing number of high-end services will step into the breach “for people who treat their animals like children,” as he puts it. He favors Doggie Nose Best in NYC, run by Michele Chalupka, who “offers a very customized, high-end experience that is invaluable,” in his opinion. Chalupka will not only ensure that her clients’ dogs never have to wait for a meal or a walk, but when Walker goes on a business trip, “she’ll take the dogs to the Hamptons or upstate, and the dogs will have playdates on the beach, or go on hiking trips. She sends photos of them happy and cuddling and playing—my dogs love it.” DOG TREATS As more and more potential buyers—including high-net-worth individuals— become dog owners, luxury buildings are catering to pet owners. Here’s a look at a few of the best: Alba Palm Beach has a dog spa on the ground level. Owners can walk directly in without going through the lobby and can use the space to do their own dog grooming or bring in a groomer of their choice. The Beacon at Garvies Point on Long Island prides itself on being pet-friendly. It boasts 28 acres of open space, including a dedicated dog park. The Centrale on New York City’s east side has an airy 10th-floor, pet-friendly garden terrace perfect for times when residents need to take their dogs out but don’t want to leave the building. Giorgetti Houston features “pet pads” on each residence’s balcony, which feed directly into a drain and allow dogs to relieve themselves without having to go downstairs. Giorgetti Houston also has its own dog run. The Sophie at Bayou Bend in Houston features private balconies for residents with a green space and porch potty for pets as well as a dog walk only for residents. Dog walking is one of many amenities offered. The Standard Residences at Midtown Miami will boast a dedicated pet- grooming spa on the ground level where owners can groom their dogs or bring in a professional from outside the building.