When the elevator doors open, a potential renter walks out onto terrazzo that has just been buffed. The sun shines off the metal in the hallway, the concierge greets you politely, and everything looks like Class A until the visitor goes to the bathroom. The water runs cold from the taps, and there is a faint metallic smell that stops the tour. Suddenly, talks about a lease don't seem as important.
According to Mirsad Pekovic of Chicago, the second-generation steward of City Plumbing, moments like this reveal a truth many developers still underestimate: sophisticated tenants measure a building’s quality as much by the water flowing through its pipes as by the view from its windows.
It may seem like a trivial issue, but it’s what determines a tenant’s experience, and Mirsad Pekovic correctly says that an experience cannot be compromised by something that’s so fixable.
Mirsad Pekovic says that people test each and everything before investing, and this was him referring to a recent revamp of a high-rise building. When filtered, chilled water containers were put in place of the old bubbler stations, within six months, the number of tours that turned into leases went up by tens. The marketing plan did not change in any other way. The change had a bigger effect every day, even though it cost less than a lobby chandelier. This shows that choices about pipes can affect income.
People today expect hydration stations, quiet flush buttons, and drain lines to be perfectly functional and usable. When a landlord does these basic things without any fuss, their tenants stay longer and happier.
The health wave that changed how offices light up and clean the air now goes straight through the stairs. The experience of tenants drives the specification sheets at City Plumbing, which was started in 1970 and is still run by the same family. Mirsad Pekovic says the change was caused by three market forces:
Health-Savvy Tenants - Since the pandemic, building managers get more questions about tests for Legionella than they do about carpet fibers. Audits of potable water safety are no longer a secret line item but something that people talk about when they rent.
Metrics for Sustainability - The LEED, WELL, and ESG records all keep track of how much water is used. High scores raise the value of an object; low scores lead to retrofitting requirements.
Employee Retention Pressures - Companies courting in-office attendance highlight wellness amenities. Filtered still and sparkling taps, touchless washroom technology, and white-noise plumbing design show staff that management values daily comfort.
In this environment, plumbing is no longer a backstage trade; it is a front-of-house differentiator.
Tenant satisfaction plummets faster from a sewage backup than from any elevator delay. Chicago’s mixed-use conversions complicate waste-line angles, making slope calculations critical. The CAD team at City Plumbing plans graywater routes along with HVAC to keep the slope and avoid clogs. Mirsad Pekovic states that, it is a real problem, and he, alongside his team, always ensure to get it corrected before matters get worse.
here's a reason why the Chicago plumbing license number 058-197632 is on the paper for City Plumbing. Mirsad Pekovic says that credentials aren't vanity; they're the baseline. In a field where cutting corners can put people's health at risk, clear licensing lets property managers know that the work meets city and state standards.
For renters, showing qualifications means peace of mind, which is an abstract but powerful part of the experience.
Ten years ago, most potential renters didn't ask about filter specs or valve noise. These things are now talked about along with floor-plate economy when people are negotiating leases. The change shows a bigger picture of health, one that goes from the faucet to the quiet spot behind the gypsum. Buildings turn basic infrastructure into daily brand agents by making sure that water clarity, trash reliability, and modern hygiene features meet the needs of their residents.
Mirsad Pekovic firmly states and stands by the fact that, every gallon that flows through your property carries either reassurance or regret, in a short summary of the chance. Design to give renters peace of mind, and they can feel it with every pour. In the competitive business market of Chicago and any other city that is keeping an eye on similar trends, that peace of mind is quickly becoming the best perk an owner can give.
