Why Dry Salt Therapy Has Become A Go-To Amenity For Commercial Developers And Owners

With air quality and wellness top of mind in the workplace, commercial developers and owners have discovered the power of dry salt therapy, also known as halotherapy.

Not to be confused with decorative Himalayan salt, dry salt therapy employs a device called a halogenerator to crush, grind and aerosolize pure sodium chloride in precise microscopic particle sizes and concentration levels into the air of an enclosed space.

“Providing wellness amenities has become more important to developers and landlords — and a necessity at the luxury level,” said Leo Tonkin, founder and CEO of SALT Chamber. “Employees, tenants and residents expect buildings to provide multiple opportunities for wellness — especially post-Covid. It’s not just providing a room with your typical treadmill, a couple of stationary bikes and a sauna.” 

A pioneer in dry salt therapy, SALT Chamber has designed and installed more than 2,500 halotherapy rooms or booths. The company works with developers, architects and designers on customized, turnkey solutions to create value-added salt room experiences for their residents and guests, Tonkin said.

SALT Chamber worked with Skyline Development Group on Solaia, a 70-unit boutique, high-rise condominium project overlooking the Hudson River in North Bergen, New Jersey. 

Skyline, a boutique real estate development, building and management company focused on high-rise residential and mixed-use projects, spared no expense with Solaia’s salt room. Residents of the luxury development can enjoy 10-, 15- or 30-minute salt therapy sessions as part of their wellness circuit. 

“We were looking to add something unique at Solaia, and salt therapy fit in perfectly because it's so user-friendly,” said Dyllan Mont, special projects and finishes manager for Skyline. “It’s a great use of square footage that creates a lifestyle experience.”

Mont said Solaia’s salt room is proving to be very popular with residents who use it regularly for the health benefits. 

“It's crazy how much of an effect it really does have,” Mont said. “Every single person that has used the salt room has said to me that they are breathing so much deeper.”

Why Salt Therapy?

“A couple hundred years ago, physicians noticed that the workers in Eastern Europe’s salt mines were often healthier than other people,” Tonkin said. “They observed that regular inhalation of the pure salt appeared to provide numerous health benefits, including improved resistance to certain respiratory conditions and reduced skin inflammation.” 

Tonkin said the salt is “super absorbent, like a sponge,” and removes irritants from internal membranes. He said it also is antibacterial and anti-inflammatory, opening airway passages, improving oxygen flow and relieving the symptoms of people with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases.

Salt Therapy For Workplace Wellness

Many corporations are adding on-site wellness facilities to maintain employees’ physical and emotional well-being during the workday. The commercial building industry has typically responded to this demand by adding or expanding fitness centers, meditation areas and other health-focused amenities. 

Recently, however, the focus has shifted to the basics, like the air we breathe. 

“You and I breathe about 3,000 gallons of air a day, and what people don't know is that indoor air pollution is more prevalent than even outdoor because of our HVAC systems, cleaning chemicals and other sources,” Tonkin said. “It’s a big deal.”

Landlords and developers are increasingly aware of this issue and are attempting to address it by making improvements to their air circulation systems. Some are also looking into the benefits of adding halotherapy as an amenity, Tonkin said. 

Workplaces and hospitality facilities that have a salt room tend to notice less absenteeism among their staff and provide a wellness modality for their workforce, he added.

Many developers of multi-use properties — which combine offices and residential, with a commingling of workspaces and shared amenities — are looking at salt therapy, Tonkin said. 

“Developers and owners can use dry salt therapy to differentiate their buildings from an amenity point of view,” he said. “Real estate professionals are doing this not just because they want people back in the buildings, but because it’s good for them, too.”

This article was produced in collaboration between SALT Chamber and Studio B. Bisnow news staff was not involved in the production of this content.

Studio B is Bisnow’s in-house content and design studio. To learn more about how Studio B can help your team, reach out to studio@bisnow.com.