Forget Sea-Facing, the New Luxury is Sky-Facing: How Air Mobility is Changing Luxury Living

25

By Ar. Hardik Pandit, Director of APICES Studio Pvt. ltd: Luxury living has always been defined by exclusive locations like sea-facing properties with incredible views.

But now, with the growth of air mobility, especially through the electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) and air taxis, a new form of luxury is taking seed, which can be referred to as sky-facing living.

This evolution is changing not only the perception of luxury, but it is transforming the design and marketing of urban spaces, infrastructure, and the overall user experience.

Revolutionizing Urban Mobility

Advanced air mobility (AAM) is ready to change urban transportation with the speed, cleanliness, and efficiency that has not been seen before.

Integrating eVTOL aircraft to urban ecosystems can increase the residents’ quality of life by alleviating traffic congestion and decreasing travel time significantly.

This technology will make luxury transportation more obtainable and attainable for a broader group of people, greatly expanding air travel beyond the realm of the ultra-rich.

Impact on Luxury Living

1. Redefining Luxury Locations: Traditional properties where people enjoy residing, such as beachfront estates, might lose their value as air taxis become more common.
   
   Instead, luxury buyers might prefer remote countryside estates with large farms and expansive homes that are well connected to urban centers but allow the tranquility that comes with seclusion.
2. Sustainable Luxury: The combination of hydrogen cells, or high-density batteries, as alternative fuels for air taxis will increase their sustainability, while also reducing air taxi operating costs.
   
   The green aspect will certainly attract luxury customers that care about the environment and desire eco-luxury.
3. Transforming Urban Design: With air mobility on the rise, cities will be more complex to design. Vertiports, which are specialized landing zones designated for eVTOL aircraft, will be commonplace within the urban core and may even influence architectural space planning.
   
   Innovative sky-high real estate design opportunities can result from this, including gardens and integrated vertiports within residential complexes.
4. Enhanced User Experience: Luxury living will no longer be just about the physical space but also about the experience it offers. Residents will be able to participate in a wider scope of activities with air taxis within arm’s reach.
   
   This effortless incorporation of vertical mobility into day-to-day living changes the concept of luxury from a singular location to a highly desired lifestyle.

Infrastructure and Development

The incorporation of air mobility into luxury living will require extensive infrastructure development: 

1. Urban Infrastructure in the Form of Vertiports

– Cities will need to have endpoints for vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft, referred to as vertiports, positioned on rooftops, within parking edifices, or as separate ground structures.

– These vertiports must be properly positioned in the urban landscape in relation to other existing transport interfaces for effective modal interchange.

2. Reallocation of Urban Space

– Air taxis have the capability to alleviate traffic congestion within metropolitan areas, allowing for the repurpose of streets to enhance foot and bicycle traffic along with green corridors.

– Parking garages may be used as warehouses or other multi-functional buildings.

3. New Zoning and Construction Permits

– The new zoning regulations must take into consideration the operation of air taxis including, noise, air rights and safety restrictions.

– Skylines and their structures will be influenced by zoning ordinances, for instance, skyscrapers will be altered for rooftop class vertiports.

4. New Mobility Hubs

– New multifunctional air taxi terminals will be built in both inner cities and suburbs, enabling passengers to directly board trains, buses, or use private cars to travel.

– Airports may become less centralized as using regional vertiports will allow intercity flight without needing expansive terminals.

5. Safety and Noise Considerations

– To avoid air traffic bottlenecks in the urbanized areas where there is significant population, cities will have to create designated air corridors.

– Noise and privacy concerns could lead to designated flight paths, with vertiports placed away from residential zones. 

6. Impact on Real Estate and Land Values

   – The vertiports could cause relocations in premium property areas which depends on where they are situated.

   – The suburban and exurban areas might be favored more as air taxis would shorten commute time significantly.

7. Sustainability and Energy Demands

   – The electrification of air taxis would require charging infrastructure, which may include renewable energy sources.

   – Air taxis could decrease ground-based fossil fuel transportation in cities and help meet sustainability objectives.

Conclusion

The rise of advanced air mobility is changing the definition of premium living through new avenues of luxury and convenience.

The incorporation of air taxis into city life may change the old appeal of luxury hotspots to secluded, sky-facing estates that offer privacy and connectivity.

With convenience and technology setting the pace of change, the new definition for an elevated lifestyle experience will be its ability to blend technology, sustainability and exclusivity. 

Keep reading for the latest trends and tips for incorporating technology seamlessly into your space at Middle Height. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.