If you love to cook and bake, having a well-equipped, spacious community kitchen in your apartment is a must. An up-to-date kitchen with plenty of storage and top-of-the-line appliances can make or break the decision of whether a certain apartment is right for you.
But sometimes, a cooking or baking job is just too big for your apartment kitchen or kitchenette. Maybe you’re hosting a massive party and don’t have enough space to prep and cook everything. Perhaps your neighbors want to have a potluck with everyone in the complex, but no one’s apartment is big enough. Maybe you only have a small kitchenette. Whatever the reason, sometimes you need a bigger, better kitchen.
Luckily, many contemporary apartment complexes are one step ahead of you. Luxury apartments today try to cater to their residents’ every need with high-end amenities and features. In some cases, that includes a large community kitchen that all residents can use and enjoy. If you’re looking for an apartment complex with a shared kitchen with a real “wow” factor, you’ll want to keep these kitchens and apartment buildings bookmarked for future reference.
Cook with the community in these 11 cool communal apartment kitchens
Whether you’re cooking a feast for a giant party or just need a bigger space to serve and host a get-together, these 11 communal kitchens have everything you need to cook, bake and look good while doing it.
1. Alina, Los Angeles
Source: Rent. / The Alina
From the dark-blue walls and cabinets to the wood accents, every detail of the community kitchen at Alina makes for a beautiful, stand-out place to make a meal. The L-shaped kitchen features a large island in the middle with seating, counter space and a stove.
Against the back wall, chefs have access to a giant fridge, freezer, oven, sink and tons of cabinets to store tools and kitchenware. A Whole Foods Market is also within walking distance for fast and convenient access to all the organic, specialty ingredients you could need.
2. G12, Los Angeles
Source: Rent. / G12
Angelenos looking to cook it up in style can do so in the communal kitchen of the edgy, contemporary G12 apartment complex. With dark wood cabinets and stainless steel appliances, the sleek and stylish community kitchen includes a giant fridge, large sink and oven.
An expansive countertop area allows for plenty of prep and serving space. There’s even a built-in coffee bar, operated from a table where you make your coffee selection and it’s poured out of a slender faucet. Then, guests can sit down and enjoy the meal at a massive quartz dining table just steps from the cooking area.
3. The Strauss on Burnside, Portland
Source: Rent. / Strauss on Burnside
Located right next to the Willamette River along major shopping and dining thoroughfare Burnside Street, the Strauss on Burnside offers edgy, luxe living close to some of Portland’s most happening districts.
The complex’s industrial-chic design carries through to its gourmet community kitchen. From a giant fridge to stove and oven, it has everything you need for large-scale meal prep. Just steps away, there’s also a convenient seating area for guests to unwind and relax. Featuring expansive views across Portland, the rooftop deck also has a grilling station for barbecues.
4. The Rodney, Portland
Source: Rent. / The Rodney
With elegant parquet flooring, floor-to-ceiling windows and mid-century modern furniture, the community kitchen at The Rodney in downtown Portland is a dreamy place to cook up a feast.
Situated in the rooftop clubhouse area of this central high-rise, the light-filled, airy group kitchen comes with a massive kitchen island, sink, oven and other cooking appliances. If you’re cooking up a barbecue on a sunny Portland summer afternoon, there’s also an open-air outdoor kitchen with large grills.
5. Onni South Lake Union, Seattle
Source: Rent. / Onni South Lake Union
From indoor and outdoor swimming pools to professional co-working spaces, the sleek, contemporary Onni South Lake Union complex gives residents everything they need to work and play in one place.
Whether hosting meetings or throwing parties, Onni residents can use the private dining room with its high-end kitchen for all their large-scale cooking needs. The kitchen comes with dark wood cabinets, a kitchen island, sink, oven and other essentials for cooking and baking. The outdoor terraces also come with private barbecue areas for grilling and barbecuing purposes should the need arise.
6. The Ivey on Boren, Seattle
Source: Rent. / The Ivey on Boren
From the floor-to-ceiling windows looking out over Seattle to the warm, wooden paneling and modern design, the community kitchen at The Ivey on Boren is so dreamy that you may never want to cook in your own apartment again.
Located on the upper floors of this luxe skyscraper in central Seattle, the community kitchen has everything chefs need plus a pretty inspiring view. A large white kitchen island provides seating and a prep area, with a stovetop, fridge, sink and other appliances and storage. Grills are also available on the outdoor terrace.
7. 73 East Lake, Chicago
Source: Rent. / 73 East Lake
Passionate chefs that want to live in the heart of Chicago should look no further than 73 East Lake. Located along North Michigan Avenue, the Magnificent Mile, Millennium Park and other Chicago highlights are just steps away. But it’s 73 East Lake’s community kitchen that will really appeal to chefs and cooks.
Set in the back corner of the community area and co-working space, residents can quickly go make themselves lunch or host a party.
From the stark white walls and floor to the burnished silver Snaidero cabinets and stainless steel appliances, the space has the look and feel of a spaceship. Cooks have a stove, oven, sink and ample counter space and storage with which to make their magic. Best of all, floor-to-ceiling windows let in plenty of sunshine and a door leads to an outdoor seating area for warm weather al fresco dining.
8. Hazel SouthPark, Charlotte, NC
Source: Rent. / Hazel SouthPark
Step into Charlotte’s upscale Hazel SouthPark complex and you’d be forgiven for mistaking this high-end community for a luxury hotel. While others will ooh and ahh at the elevated design and furnishings, chefs will fall head over heels for the community kitchen.
With soaring ceilings, warm wooden panels on the walls and a statement tile floor, it has the look and feel of a glamorous restaurant. A massive hood hangs over a giant kitchen island with a cooking range, stove and plenty of prep counter space. Against the back wall, chefs have access to more counter space, a fridge, sink and cabinets for storing kitchenware.
9. Aris Market Square, Houston
Source: Rent. / Aris Market Square
While most luxury complexes come with a basic outdoor grill and picnic area, Aris Market Square in Houston, Texas kicks things up a notch with its outdoor kitchen. This sleek, contemporary building features a spacious and airy outdoor cooking area for making the ultimate barbecue spread.
A massive kitchen island can serve as either a seating area, serving table or ingredient prep counter. Under a lofty overhang set against the back wall, chefs will find grills, a sink and fridge. Elsewhere on the terrace, gas grills are available as well. While cooking, you and your guests can also enjoy the views of the surrounding high rises.
10. Sabine Street Lofts, Houston
Source: Rent. / Sabine Street Lofts
Housed in a grand red-brick complex in central Houston, the Sabine Street Lofts are an immaculate blend of classic elegance and modern luxury. Along with outdoor pools and a fitness center, the community kitchen in the clubhouse is a stand-out feature.
With a stylish tile backsplash, gold accents and floating wooden shelves, it’s peak Instagram aesthetic. A massive fridge is available to store all the ingredients you need, with plenty of counter space, ovens, a sink and coffee machine. While small tables and couches are situated nearby, there’s also countertop seating for your guests.
11. The Aubrey, Tempe, AZ
Source: Rent. / The Aubrey
Surrounded by palm trees, The Aubrey is a chic, upscale oasis in the Arizona desert. Along with units ranging from studio apartments to three bedrooms, amenities at this luxe complex include an outdoor swimming pool, a fitness center and a clubhouse. In the clubhouse, you’ll find The Aubrey’s gourmet community kitchen.
With hardwood floors, a minimalist gray color scheme and gold accents, the setting itself exudes luxury and fine dining. A large kitchen island comes with seating and a large sink for prepping ingredients and washing dishes.
Opposite the island, cooks will find a high-end stovetop, cooking hood and counter-level fridges. An outdoor picnic area comes with grills for any barbecuing needs, and the rest of the clubhouse features ample seating as well as a coffee bar.
In these kitchens, everyone is welcome
In these top-of-the-line kitchens that blend practicality with style, everyone from professional chefs to passionate amateurs to create whatever they need. If you’re on the look for an apartment that comes with a community kitchen, check out the options on Rent. in whichever city you’re considering.
