GlobeSt.com: How will the move to 100% smoke-free environments in your properties be received by residents and potential tenants?

Martin: It's been overwhelmingly well received. Our decision to transition to 100% smoke-free communities came about because the majority of our residents were already requesting us to do so. For the past few years, we've seen a much larger demand for smoke-free units, and so many of our non-smoking residents found second-hand smoke to be an issue. By putting this new policy in place, we are creating a cleaner, healthier and safer living environment for everyone.

GlobeSt.com: What other health-and-wellness features are tenants seeking in their apartment communities?

Martin: Along with a smoke-free environment, today's apartment residents are looking for amenities that will help them lead healthier, more organic lifestyles, from luxury resort-style pools and spas to expanded workout facilities with state-of-the-art equipment and yoga rooms. For our pet lovers, we have added dog parks and pet washing stations. We've added resident lounges and gaming centers for indoor entertainment and courtyards with BBQ stations and village greens and grassy areas for outdoor entertainment. We've designed the amenities in our communities to make health and wellness convenient and easily accessible.

GlobeSt.com: How will this movement continue to evolve in the future?

Martin: Committing to our residents' health and wellness is a top priority, and this will continue to shape the amenities that are featured in apartment living. Amenities that once were only accessible in the most exclusive rental communities are now becoming the standard. By listening to our customers, we will continue to grow and innovate in the future.

IRVINE, CA—Shea Apartment Communities' decision to transition to 100% smoke-free apartment communities came about because the majority of its residents were already requesting the company to do so, SVP Yunmi Martin tells GlobeSt.com. The firm, a division of Shea Properties, recently announced that all 21 properties in its portfolio would transition to 100% smoke-free communities as part of a wellness initiative demonstrating the company's commitment to providing a completely healthy living environment for its residents.

According to Shea, the anti-smoking movement has been gathering steam across the county since second-hand smoke was declared a risk more than a decade ago. With state and local governments restricting smoking in the workplace and many other outdoor public areas, attention is now shifting to the multifamily-housing industry.

Shea's newest apartments, including Ascent, Reata Oakbrook Village, Vantis and 88 at Alhambra Place in California and Apex Meridian, Lucent Blvd., Monaco Row, Vela Meridian and Zenith Meridian in Colorado, opened as 100% smoke-free communities. The remaining 12 properties will gradually be converted into smoke-free communities as leases for smoking units signed prior to the transition expire.

We spoke with Martin about how this move will be received by residents and potential tenants and other health-and-wellness features tenants are seeking in apartment communities.

GlobeSt.com: How will the move to 100% smoke-free environments in your properties be received by residents and potential tenants?

Martin: It's been overwhelmingly well received. Our decision to transition to 100% smoke-free communities came about because the majority of our residents were already requesting us to do so. For the past few years, we've seen a much larger demand for smoke-free units, and so many of our non-smoking residents found second-hand smoke to be an issue. By putting this new policy in place, we are creating a cleaner, healthier and safer living environment for everyone.

GlobeSt.com: What other health-and-wellness features are tenants seeking in their apartment communities?

Martin: Along with a smoke-free environment, today's apartment residents are looking for amenities that will help them lead healthier, more organic lifestyles, from luxury resort-style pools and spas to expanded workout facilities with state-of-the-art equipment and yoga rooms. For our pet lovers, we have added dog parks and pet washing stations. We've added resident lounges and gaming centers for indoor entertainment and courtyards with BBQ stations and village greens and grassy areas for outdoor entertainment. We've designed the amenities in our communities to make health and wellness convenient and easily accessible.

GlobeSt.com: How will this movement continue to evolve in the future?

Martin: Committing to our residents' health and wellness is a top priority, and this will continue to shape the amenities that are featured in apartment living. Amenities that once were only accessible in the most exclusive rental communities are now becoming the standard. By listening to our customers, we will continue to grow and innovate in the future.