Some condo amenities make your life easier and your resale stronger. Others mostly show up as higher HOA dues. If you are eyeing a Century City high-rise, it pays to know the difference so you can choose a building that fits your lifestyle without overpaying on carrying costs. In this guide, you will learn which features buyers in Century City value most, how those features affect HOA budgets, and how to evaluate them before you write an offer. Let’s dive in.
Century City buyer priorities
Century City is a Westside hub with luxury towers and a mix of professionals, downsizers, second-home owners, and some investors. Priorities vary by buyer, but certain needs are consistent. Parking, security, and privacy sit near the top for many owners. Younger professionals and families tend to prioritize health and wellness spaces and quiet work areas, while frequent travelers and pied-Ã -terre buyers value concierge service and secure package handling.
Los Angeles remains car forward, so parking supply and convenience carry real weight. EV adoption is growing across California, which makes EV charging options increasingly important in purchase decisions. Storage is also at a premium because many high-rise floor plans trade square footage for views and location.
Amenities that add real value
Here is a quick snapshot of utility, typical HOA impact, and likely resale signal for common high-rise amenities in Century City.
| Amenity |
Utility |
HOA Impact |
Resale Signal |
| Assigned parking |
Very high |
Low to Medium |
High |
| Valet service |
Convenience driven |
High |
Moderate to High |
| Concierge/24-hour desk |
High |
High |
Moderate to High |
| Wellness facilities (gym, pool, spa) |
High |
Medium to High |
Moderate to High |
| Storage (lockers, rooms) |
Very high |
Low |
High |
| EV charging |
Increasingly high |
Variable |
Moderate to High |
| Coworking/business center |
Medium |
Low to Medium |
Low to Moderate |
Assigned parking and valet
- What it is: Deeded or assigned parking spaces for owners. Valet is staffed vehicle drop-off and retrieval for residents and guests.
- Why it matters: In LA, reliable parking is core utility. Extra deeded spaces are particularly valuable in buildings with tight supply.
- HOA impact: Valet introduces ongoing payroll and insurance, which is typically high. Basic garage maintenance and security for assigned parking are usually low to medium.
- Resale signal: Deeded spaces tend to support higher resale because they deliver daily utility and scarcity. Valet appeals to convenience seekers but can be a sticking point for buyers sensitive to monthly dues.
- What to look for: Confirm whether spaces are deeded or assigned, the number included, guest parking rules, and the possibility of purchasing an additional space.
Concierge and 24-hour desk
- What it is: Staffed lobby services for security, package handling, and resident support.
- Why it matters: Security and reliable package handling are big wins for frequent travelers and second-home owners.
- HOA impact: High due to staffing, benefits, and training.
- Resale signal: Moderate to high among luxury-oriented buyers who expect service. Budget-focused buyers may discount units in favor of lower HOA buildings.
- What to look for: Service hours, scope of duties, vendor versus in-house staffing, and background checks.
Wellness facilities
- What it is: Fitness centers, group studios, pool, spa, and sauna.
- Why it matters: On-site fitness is a daily convenience and pools suit the LA climate.
- HOA impact: Medium to high because of equipment replacement, HVAC, pool chemicals, and insurance.
- Resale signal: Moderate to high, especially when facilities are well equipped and well maintained. A small or dated gym has less impact.
- What to look for: Quality of equipment, hours, cleaning schedule, and whether facilities are managed by third parties.
Storage lockers and rooms
- What it is: Deeded or exclusive-use storage lockers, rooms, or enhanced in-unit storage.
- Why it matters: Extra storage is very practical in high-rise living where unit sizes can be compact.
- HOA impact: Low, beyond basic maintenance and security.
- Resale signal: High because buyers can easily understand and price the utility.
- What to look for: Deeded or exclusive use, size, location, and security. Climate control and accessibility are bonuses.
EV charging infrastructure
- What it is: Shared or dedicated EV chargers, plus conduit-ready wiring for future upgrades.
- Why it matters: EV ownership is growing in California. Buildings that offer charging or are EV-ready will be more competitive over time.
- HOA impact: Variable. Pay-per-use and owner-billed setups tend to keep ongoing HOA costs lower. Building-wide retrofits can be medium to high.
- Resale signal: Moderate to high, and trending upward as more buyers view charging as essential.
- What to look for: Existing chargers, waitlists, individual metering or owner billing, and whether the building has a clear EV plan.
Coworking and business centers
- What it is: Shared workspaces, meeting rooms, phone booths, and printing.
- Why it matters: Hybrid work has increased demand for quiet, reservable spaces outside your unit.
- HOA impact: Low to medium for furnishings, internet, and cleaning.
- Resale signal: Low to moderate. Useful for remote workers, but not as universally valued as parking, storage, or security.
- What to look for: Reservation policies, guest access, and whether the space can be monetized to offset costs.
How amenities affect HOA dues
Amenities influence both the operating budget and reserve contributions in high-rise buildings. Staffed services such as concierge and valet drive ongoing payroll and benefits, which are permanent line items. Pools, saunas, and common HVAC systems increase utilities and maintenance. Insurance and liability costs also rise with pools, fitness facilities, and valet operations.
Reserve funding matters as much as monthly operations. Gyms, pool systems, elevators, and other shared assets have finite lifespans, so healthy reserve contributions protect owners from special assessments. If reserves fall short for a capital project or code upgrade, the HOA can levy one-time assessments. This is why buyers should assess how each amenity shows up in both the operating budget and the reserve study.
EV infrastructure sits at the intersection of utility and long-term planning. California programs and building trends support EV readiness, and buildings that enable owner-billed charging can reduce the HOA’s ongoing expense. Buyers should ask how charging is metered and whether there is a roadmap for expansion as demand grows.
Buyer checklist
Use this quick list to evaluate a building’s amenities and their true carrying cost.
- Request the current HOA budget and the most recent reserve study. Review staffing, utilities, insurance, and planned capital projects.
- Ask which amenities drive which costs. Look for line items like concierge payroll or pool maintenance.
- Confirm parking details. Deeded versus assigned, number of spaces, guest parking rules, and options to buy or sell an extra space.
- Verify storage. Deeded or exclusive use, size, and location, plus security and climate control if offered.
- Review the EV plan. Installed chargers, waitlists, EV-ready wiring, ownership of equipment, and who pays for electricity.
- Understand concierge and valet scope. Hours, employee versus contractor status, and service limitations.
- Check wellness and coworking policies. Hours, reservation systems, cleaning schedules, and usage limits for renters and guests.
- Confirm insurance and liability coverage. Ask about risk management policies for pools and gyms.
- Investigate past special assessments and any litigation. These can signal reserve shortfalls or governance concerns.
- Note owner-occupied versus rented mix. Usage patterns can affect wear on amenities and expectations for upkeep.
Seller playbook
Present your building’s amenities clearly and avoid triggering concerns about HOA costs.
- Provide documentation. Maintenance logs, staffing contracts, and updated reserve information build confidence.
- Quantify net impact. Outline what portion of dues covers ongoing services versus one-time or owner-paid programs. Highlight user-paid EV billing where applicable.
- Showcase tangible assets. Market deeded parking and deeded storage separately, since buyers value them as concrete benefits.
- Offer solutions for underused spaces. Consider proposals to reconfigure or monetize areas, such as rentable storage or pay-per-use workrooms.
- Address likely objections. Explain steps taken to limit special assessments and share any plan for EV upgrades and funding.
Negotiation tips
A sharp read of the HOA can create leverage and protect your bottom line.
- For buyers: Use the HOA’s financials to calibrate your offer when you see high labor costs or upcoming capital projects. You can request contingencies or escrow holds if a major reserve item is on the horizon.
- For sellers: Preempt concerns by sharing an HOA fee breakdown and detailing owner-paid structures for costly amenities. Emphasize deeded parking and storage in your listing narrative.
- For both: If amenity upgrades are planned, consider HOA-approved payment arrangements that spread costs over time.
Bottom line
In Century City’s condo towers, the best value often comes from amenities that deliver daily utility with modest ongoing costs. Prioritize deeded parking and storage. Understand how concierge and wellness facilities enhance lifestyle while adding to labor and maintenance budgets. Treat EV charging as a rising essential that helps future-proof your resale. When you match amenities to your actual lifestyle, you protect both your quality of life and the long-term value of your home.
Ready to zero in on the right building and negotiate with confidence? Connect with the Carrabba Group for concierge guidance, clear HOA analysis, and a calm, capable path to your next move.
FAQs
Which Century City condo amenities impact resale most?
- Deeded parking and storage rank highest for daily utility and resale, while concierge and strong wellness programs help in luxury towers and EV readiness is increasingly important.
How do valet and concierge affect monthly HOA dues?
- Both are staffing-heavy and typically sit in the high cost tier, so factor ongoing payroll and insurance into your affordability calculations.
Do EV chargers increase HOA fees in high-rises?
- It depends on design; owner-billed or pay-per-use systems can limit shared costs, while building-wide infrastructure projects may push dues higher.
What should I review in HOA documents before buying?
- Ask for the operating budget and reserve study, review amenity cost lines, check parking and storage terms, study any EV plan, and look for past assessments or litigation.
Are coworking spaces worth paying for in a condo building?
- They are valuable for remote or hybrid workers, but the resale upside is usually lower than parking, storage, or security, so weigh usage against any cost impact.