“A noise shall not be considered a noise disturbance if it is made during noncommercial public speaking during the daytime and does not exceed 80 decibels inside the nearest occupied residence.”
– District of Columbia Noise Control Act.
Washington, DC has long since been the home to many legendary musicians. The DMV community cultivates an excellent live music history from Duke Ellington to Bad Brains, Minor Threat & Fugazi to Bo Diddley. Washingtonians have no shortage of opinions, ever, so it comes as no surprise that as the fabric and skyline of the city change with time and technology, so do the rules of engagement for musicians. Noise pollution and crime became the new stereotypes associated with the age-old art of buskin’. To address noise complaints with DC, developers began considering soundproofing standards for buildings located close to venues hosting live shows, but this did not stop helping those local buskers hit hardest by the ordinance. Another idea, The Harmonious Living Amendment Act of 2021, would regulate sound standards for new residential construction in activity areas or entertainment areas, consider a grant program for soundproofing entertainment venues, and create a property tax deduction for soundproofing buildings. It also requires the mayor to publish a report on strategies to accommodate outdoor performances. While these steps by the city help continue dialogue to accommodate the arts in the town, more work on the ground is needed. Often, musicians run into many issues that can impede performance. Electricity, lighting, restrooms, and utilities are necessary components that musicians have to plan meticulously for well in advance.
I began my journey to explore existing multi-family amenity spaces designed with live musicians and fans in mind. I was thrilled to find some compelling examples already in operation.
Photo Source: thekentnyc.com
My first stop landed me on New York’s Upper East Side at The Kent. Rocker Lenny Kravitz worked with designers to create a state-of-the-art space that brings users and contributors together to create and consume in a luxury amenity environment. The artist desired to create a space to make music a part of everyday life for the resident and visiting entertainer.
Photo Source: thewaterlineclub.com
The Waterline Club is our next stop located in New York also, and this space boasts a good lounge and recording studio available to guests. For the commuting musician, in-house instruments and sound design integrated into new amenity spaces lower the cost of living for the contributing artist. Since we are talking live music and rockin’ friends and multifamily skyscrapers, you know what time it is. Let’s drop the mic in NYC and head to the coast of Lake Michigan, just 33 mins west of our final stop on tour.
We have a couple of cultural visits to make along the way for the essentials necessary for any highrise gig. First, The iconic Madame Zuzu’s is the coast host for art, tea, and plant-based choices (shout out to @smashingpumpkins #wearezeros and all the ZEROS ’round the world). Next, we head to Chicago Music Exchange to experience Carstens Amplification (truly a legendary guitar amp craftsman) to pick up our custom-crafted, hand-made all-inclusive amplifier designed to melt any skyline in this age and the next. We finally arrive at our live music destination. Spoke Apartments in, the City By The Lake boasts an impressive amenity lounge called The Venue. Here, residents can connect over just about any style of music, from hip-hop, rock, jazz, and even country and western, using in-house instruments and audio technology.
Photo Source: spokeapartments.com
All generations – Gen-Z, Millennials, Baby Boomers – appreciate and enjoy live music (the style might be different, but the desire is the same!). Why not help your residents and the local musicians by opening up multifamily properties for performances? SR/A believes this is a trend on the rise, don’t be left behind!
Music is the great healer. BC- Carstens Amplification 2021
