The Social Shower

Gym’s and club rooms used to be the standard amenity to draw in condo buyers. Not anymore. The ante was upped to include kid’s amenities to draw in families. But that left out the young, rich and single crowd. Media rooms and lounges started to pop up in new condo buildings. Apparently that wasn’t enough either. Now we’re got the water-themed amenity. What’s that?

Group shower!

Long gone are the days of high school gym where one avoided showering with others in public. The Trump project in Jersey City markets the shower as a “social experience” for up to four people. Water, aroma, light and sound can all be adjusted to provide a specific experience. It’s all part of an “aqua grotto”. Doesn’t the Playboy mansion have a grotto? The marketing people insist that it’s a water experience, not a naked shower.

Then there’s the William Beaver House that is the Andre Balazs project. This is also directed towards those rich young folks. They don’t have a pool; they have “The Lake”. Gone is the Jacuzzi, instead it’s a thermal bath. The video that accompanies the website proudly states that the bathroom will easily fit three people. It also notes you can watch the shower from the bedroom.

Even when I was young and skinny, I preferred my bathroom time to be in private. No more. You may live alone, but you’re going to be showering and bathing with your special friends.

Cheever used to write about key parties in his Westchester neighborhood. How quaint.

Bring on the naked group shower, er uh the social water experience at The Beaver House.

Are we sure this isn’t the Playboy Mansion?