Residential developments begin to operate like office buildings – an emerging trend in the housing market

Digital solutions are no longer just add-ons enhancing the prestige of an investment. More and more often, they shape residents’ everyday experiences and the quality of use of shared spaces, becoming a real differentiator of modern residential developments and a competitive advantage for developers. This trend also reflects growing resident expectations and changes in how residential buildings are designed and used. The perception and quality of shared spaces are determined not only by interior design, but also by the technologies applied within them. The application developed by Blue Bolt enables, in addition to remote door access, guest access management, fault reporting, and space reservations via a smartphone or smartwatch. ATAL is among the developers implementing such solutions in its new projects, having cooperated with Blue Bolt for several years.

“We began working with ATAL in 2021 on a project located at Sokol­ska 30 in Katowice, where electronic building access was implemented. Our solutions were evaluated very positively, which opened the door to cooperation on further developments, including the latest projects—ATAL Sky+ and ATAL Olimpijska in Katowice,” says Maciej Grabowski, Founder of Blue Bolt.

“Our goal is for technology to genuinely improve everyday comfort, rather than serve as a marketing slogan,” says Agnieszka Majkusiak, General Director of Sales and Marketing at ATAL. “That is why, in the Katowice developments ATAL Sky+ and ATAL Olimpijska, we are offering residents an application that enables access management based on the Blue Bolt platform. This time, however, we decided to go a step further, allowing residents to benefit from several additional features. We are convinced that such solutions will soon become a market standard, and that processes related to the use of shared spaces will become increasingly automated and intuitive.”

In the Olimpijska residential complex, the Blue Bolt application will offer an extended range of functionalities—not only supporting elevator and parking access, but also introducing new solutions related to health and safety. For the first time, the system will support access management to a rooftop terrace located on the 35th floor of the building, where a limit on the number of users applies. Thanks to the application, residents will be able to check in real time how many people are currently on the terrace and decide whether to enter or wait for a more intimate setting.

It is worth emphasizing that the boundary between the office and residential segments is becoming increasingly blurred. Residential developments are now incorporating features previously associated with modern commercial buildings, which require automated and easily understandable  access systems.

“Our technology works both in newly developed projects and in existing buildings. We are increasingly contacted by property managers of developments that are only two or three years old, yet already require improved systems for organizing shared spaces. This clearly shows how quickly user expectations are changing,” adds Maciej Grabowski.

Blue Bolt enables residents to move freely within buildings using a smartphone or smartwatch, eliminating the need for keys, cards, or remote controls. The system automatically recognizes the user when approaching an entrance, and activates the elevator and selects a default floor. Another key feature is the ability to reserve shared spaces via the app, eliminating paper schedules and the need to involve security staff or property managers. In parking garages, access is also available through Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, allowing drivers to open gates without a dedicated remote control.

“The feedback we receive from property managers using the platform confirms that the system streamlines operational processes—reducing the number of technical issues, facilitating access management, as well as improving direct communication with residents and among the residents themselves. For users, convenience, fewer barriers, and a sense of control over shared spaces are key,” adds Mikołaj Jędryczka, Chief Operating Officer at Blue Bolt.

As a result, the system is increasingly being considered at the design stage of new developments. Thanks to its broad functionality, Blue Bolt is becoming a default solution across various segments of residential developments—from modernized projects and mass-market housing to new premium investments that focus on high-quality resident experience not only in terms of finish quality, but also technology. Due to its flexibility and range of features, Blue Bolt is implemented across multiple building classes.

Blue Bolt—a Polish technology company developing proprietary hardware and software for managing shared spaces in buildings—has recently recorded over 20% growth in the number of projects it supports and has declared its ambition to achieve up to 100% growth. This is driven by a rising number of inquiries, including from the residential sector, both from developers delivering new projects and from managers of completed and occupied housing estates.