Workers around the world are being called back to the office, but many at the top end of the pay packet are resisting the return to their workplace desks, with an increasing number transforming their luxury Alpine homes into their dream ‘work from home’ space.
The work from home phenomenon brought on by the pandemic might be waning among a portion of the population, but for those at the wealthier end of the spectrum, it is something that could well be here to stay, particularly among those who own properties in the Alps.
Digital nomads
In its recently published Ski Property Report, Knight Frank quizzed clients located across 34 countries and territories on their attitudes towards working from home.
A majority 75% said they now work from home significantly more since the pandemic and just over half said they either already work from their home in the mountains or “would consider [it] given they now work remotely on a more frequent basis”.
Indeed, high speed broadband – essential if you plan on opening up your laptop while in the Alps – ranked second in the list of important features of a property, with first place going to mountain views. Outdoor space, such as access to a balcony or garden, also ranked highly in third place while flexible living and room for a dedicated home office both made it into the Top 10, ranking a respective eighth and tenth in the list.
Private enclave
The rental potential has long been a strong factor in the decision to purchase a property in the Alps, where demand has surged ahead of supply, but a still considerable number of buyers and owners say they intend on keeping a mountain retreat exclusively for themselves.
The ratio is split 54:46 between those considering the future return on their investment and the rental income a place could provide and those who want a true home-from-home to share with no one other than close family, which would be important if trying to establish a peaceful workspace in a ski property, which are typically more intimate in their scale and layout.
With some studies suggesting that regular access to fresh air and the outdoors boosting productivity by up to 300%, could the chalet become the new home office?
Read more:
Real Estate: The desire for luxury Alpine living shows no sign of abating
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Photo source: Annie Spratt, Unsplash