When I started watching the smash hit “Game of Thrones,” I never really thought about what it would be like to live in the dreary but dramatic castles of Westeros. Now with the prequel “House of the Dragon” having recently come to its first season close, the real estate of the series has been on my mind. Much of this season took place in residential settings, although the locations varied based on the plotlines of each episode.
If we actually lived in the fantastical seven kingdoms of Westeros, what would be needed for day-to-day life? Here are four things that occurred to me about the realities of Westeros multifamily real estate:
With fantasy dragons, come dragon eggs and the need for a place to store them. In “Game of Thrones,” there were not many dragon eggs since dragons had all become extinct. “House of the Dragon” is dated 200 years prior. Eggs needed to be kept warm until it was time for the dragons to hatch. Hence, extra large ovens/warming chambers were a definite must. I’m sure they were easy to repurpose after the dragon population began to decline.
Humans have been struggling with stairs long before much-needed accessibility regulations came about. Take those thousands upon thousands of stairs in the castles. Placing large ramps next to the staircases would help all who have physical ailments so they could manage to get from level to level. Of course, nowadays we have elevators, but if your apartment complex is like mine, elevators tend to not operate all the time. Ramps would be a big help, then and now.
Emergency exits – they’re great for events and every day. In Westeros, weddings typically end tragically, which is a constant theme throughout the ages. Incorporate emergency escape routes into all gathering places for when events take a turn for the worse. You never know when someone might lash out, leaving tenants and guests stuck in danger. (Sadly, providing for public safety is perhaps the theme most relevant to our societal realities today.)
Got dragons? Have a clear and realistic exotic pet policy for any apartment. Exotic pets in today’s world may not need to have their own dragon caves, but some may create unique situations you’ll want to be prepared for. Whether you allow bearded dragons, large snakes, or emotional support peacocks, it’s always wise to list what pets are allowed in lease materials and marketing. Exotic pets also come with some risks, a good reason to ensure you have a renter’s insurance plan in place, such as Yardi’s ResidentShield.
We’re already looking forward to the next Thrones spinoff, and whatever creative housing inspiration it might entail. In the meantime, keep your dragons close by – the kingdom you save could be your own!
