Our take: Luxury’s ever-evolving definition means residential developments with a wealth of hotel-like perks like wine tasting rooms, high-tech gyms, and decked-out courtyards that offer elevated, community-driven elements for people seeking comfort and experiences right outside their front door.

Zhongnan Mansion, Hangzhou, China: As part of the Hangzhou Zhongnan residential community, the ultra-luxe Zhongnan Mansion clubhouse from Shanghai firm Kris Lin International Design is home to coffee shops, gyms, yoga studios, and teahouses. The three-level glass and steel structure is anchored by a dramatic curved double staircase and a cascading chandelier resembling water droplets, while a sunken seating area is surrounded by a pool of water in the courtyard, presenting “a mirror effect [that reflects] symmetrically with the patio,” says firm founder Kris Lin.

Zhongnan Mansion, Hangzhou, China

Asbury Ocean Club, Surfside Resort and Residences, New Jersey: Part of iStar’s 10-year, mixed-use redevelopment of the New Jersey seaside community, the 17-floor Asbury Ocean Club gives the luxury beach house concept a serious upgrade thanks to New York designer Anda Andrei and Handel Architects. In addition to the inviting pool, cabanas, and restaurant, residences sport bleached white oak flooring, stone countertops, and polished porcelain Marvel Calacatta walls. The views, however, take centerstage, opening up to the ocean with “wraparound balconies that include an outdoor room for every apartment,” says Andrei.

Asbury Ocean Club, Surfside Resort and Residences, New Jersey

21 West End Apartments, New York: “We wanted to give New Yorkers their extra rooms back, because we sacrifice so much to live in the city,” explains ICRAVE design director Greg Merkel of the 30,000 square feet of unique facilities the New York firm designed at the Lincoln Square apartments. Amenities include a garage-workshop hybrid, wine tasting room, bar and café, library, indoor dog park, lap pool and spa, screening room, and kid’s playroom (complete with a custom Stegosaurus dinosaur play sculpture) that “look and feel like the best version of what a high-end hotel would offer,” says Merkel. Since many of the spaces were housed underground, the team carved out a double-height entrance for direct sightlines below, and crafted a striking 60-foot-long stainless steel helix sculpture that draws people down with its dynamic form and projection mapping that boasts artwork from a rotating roster of artists, he says.

21 West End Apartments, New York