July 31, 2007 – The Trump International Hotel and Tower announced that the hotel section of the building, which spans floors 14 through 27, will be able to receive guests sometime in December of 2007. Work on those floors of the 92 story tower is moving at a rapid pace, and Trump International expects business to be brisk once the 339 hotel suites become available.

Trump is taking the term hospitality to a new level, offering services such as personal attaché, concierge, complete laundry and dry cleaning, shopping and transportation service, personal stationary and even the option of having a chef personally prepare meals in your suite.

The Spa at Trump, located on floor 14, will treat guests to a wide variety of facials and massages, nutritional consultation, a health club, sauna, shower and changing rooms. A restaurant ready to rival Chicago’s finest is set to occupy the 16th floor, with an elegant bar located on the mezzanine level of the building.

From 10 foot ceilings with stunning views of the Chicago River to 500 thread count bed linens, the hotel suites at Trump International haven’t missed a single luxury detail. The price tags for these hotel condo units run from the upper $800,000 dollar range to in excess of $3 million.

Trump International’s head of sales issued a statement saying that over 75 percent of the Tower’s units, both condos and hotel condos, are already sold at this point.

More information on luxury pre-construction condos can be found in Pre Construction Condos in Chicago

[tags]Trump International Hotel and Tower, Chicago Illinois, Chicago Condos for Sale[/tags]

July 30, 2007 – The marketing campaign for Canyon Ranch Living in Chicago has begun, with the alluring concept of a “wellness lifestyle” for which the company has come to be known. Canyon Ranch has coupled the usual luxury condo amenities with the unusual step of providing on-site health care for residents.

Well beyond the usual spa and fitness center combination, the 67 story Canyon Ranch tower will incorporate a 75,000 square foot facility that will cater to the health needs of residents. Those living there can stick with the basics like massages or swimming, but the option to take their health care routine to a new level is what makes this development different. The center will be staffed with specialists in nutrition and exercise, along with a doctor and nurse on site. This will enable residents to tailor their workout, diet and lifestyle specifically to their needs. While not an attempt to replace the family physician, the wellness center will be able to take care of basic check ups and screenings.

Sales for the condos began this past April, prior to the start up of the recent marketing campaign. According to an article in the Chicago Tribune, developer Related Midwest reports that 10 percent of the available units have already been sold before advertising started. If target sales are reached soon, ground could be broken on the project by late 2007 or early 2008, with completion estimated for 2011.

To get the latest information on Chicago condo developments, visit All Condos for Sale in Chicago

[tags]Canyon Ranch, Chicago Illinois, Chicago Condos for Sale[/tags]

July 28, 2007 – The Marquee Michigan Avenue is close to reaching its full height of 25 floors. Construction reports on the building website indicate that as of July 3rd the 21st floor had been erected and since then work has continued to move up steadily. The original target date for occupancy had been summer 2007, and that may not be too far off the mark if the building pace keeps up at this rate.

The finishing work has inched up on the interior. Like climbing the rungs on a ladder, the contractors have been installing the drywall, electrical and plumbing components to each floor and individual condo, with developer Sedgwick Properties confirming that lower levels are coming along nicely.

The 215 luxury condos in the Marquee, 7 of which will be two per floor penthouses, will have large balconies and terraces that will provide fantastic views of Lake Michigan and the skyline in the South Loop. Extensive green space is planned for the building roof, including a dog run. Interior details such as red oak wood floors, natural stone and wiring for high tech touch screen unit control systems will be installed. Prices are advertised anywhere from the mid $100,000 range to $600,000.

To find out more about the Marquee Michigan Avenue or any of Chicago’s other high-rise developments, you can read more in Downtown Chicago Condos

[tags]Marquee Michigan Avenue, Chicago Illinois, Chicago Condos for Sale[/tags]

July 27, 2007 – An August ground breaking is planned for Chicago’s Mandarin Oriental Tower. Palladin Development expects work to begin early in the month and the project is expected to be completed sometime in 2009.

The Mandarin Oriental Tower is one of several luxury hotel condominiums being built in Chicago. The tower will top out at 75 stories and house 260 condo units and 252 hotel units. Studios, one bedroom and two bedroom floor plans are offered. The price range could be called high-rise as well, starting from $600,000 to $700,000 on up to over $18 million for the penthouse suites. Even so, over fifty percent of the available units have already been sold with buyers drawn to the long list of luxury services and amenities offered at the Mandarin.

Residents will be treated to limo service, concierge, room service, maid service and parking just to name a few. The building will have two restaurants with residents receiving preferred seating as well as a state of the art fitness center, swimming pool and spa on floor 18. Personal trainers, yoga classes and massage services will be available. The Mandarin also arranges for the units to be put in hotel rotation if the owner is going to be absent and wishes to do so.

You can find more information about the Mandarin Oriental Tower or other luxury hotel condos by visiting Chicago Downtown Luxury Condos

[tags]Mandarin Oriental Tower, Chicago Illinois, Chicago Condos for Sale[/tags]

July 26, 2007 – Eco18, in its pursuit of LEED Gold certification, has received Tier Three qualification in the Chicago Permit system. It is the very first building to do so and achieving this allows Eco18 developers to be exempt from fees and paperwork associated with the lengthy permit process involved with building projects.

The two towers on 1818 South Wabash will consist of 12 floors and a total of 93 living units. The ground floor will contain retail space and the second and third floors will be reserved for resident parking.

During every phase of construction, Eco18 has worked towards green certification. Materials, building supplies and even water usage were monitored to obtain maximum efficiency and be environmentally friendly. To conserve energy, Eco18 will have a complex series of solar panels on the roof tops that will supply enough power to heat almost 50 percent of the resident’s hot water usage needs. To offset the normally high energy drain of heating and cooling costs, an underground geo-thermal hot water system will be installed and able to provide almost 75 percent of the power.

Other green features include a fourth floor roof top garden that spans 12,000 feet and energy efficient devices such as water saving shower heads and faucets, toilets and washing machines. Eco18 developers are going the extra distance and their dedication to green construction will also translate to green savings for the environment and residents.

You can find more information about other green developments or new condo construction in general by visiting The Best Condos in Chicago

[tags]Eco18, Chicago Illinois, Chicago Condos for sale[/tags]

July 25, 2007 – With the honor of being the very first condominium in Chicago to be given LEED certification for green construction and building features, the final touches were put on 340 On The Park and developers called the project complete this month. With so much recent focus on global warming and environmental issues, 340 On The Park is right in vogue with the concerns of many buyers and satisfies the desire to be a part of something positive.

340 rises up to a towering 64 floors and the condos there have a stunning view of Millennium and Grant Parks and Lake Michigan. All of that fresh green landscape and sky blue water adds to the “green” feel of the building. Developers took the green down to sidewalk level with landscaped planters along Randolph as well as on the roof top. The building also features a beautiful garden on the 25th floor, rain water collection system for the plants installed, and the outside of the building is sheathed in a type of insulated glass to help with temperature control.

340 On The Park shows that developers can successfully combine luxury condo construction with respect to the environment and offer quality homes to buyers in the process. The green building trend is much more popular on the East and West coasts, where trends usually start, but it is gaining momentum here in Chicago as well.

For more information about 340 On The Park or other condo developments, check out Chicago New Construction Condos

[tags]340 On The Park, Chicago Illinois, Chicago Condos for Sale[/tags]

July 24, 2007 – From all reports, it looks as though the Chicago Spire may actually begin its twisting ascent into the skyline soon. Since the first announcement of the project in 2005, the Spire has undergone several major changes both in name, design and developer. The fact that foundation work is imminent means that architect Santiago Calatrava’s dream building is more than the plume of smoke that was said to be the design inspiration.

The Chicago Tribune reported in late June that Irish developer Shelbourne Development had made a decision on which company would be granted the contract for the building’s foundation work. Case Foundation Company is now in charge of that extensive work, and Shelbourne Development released a statement saying that permits had been acquired, equipment necessary is present and the estimated completion of the foundation would be early 2008 with total project completion sometime in 2010.

Garrett Kelleher, who is the executive director of the development company, was quoted in the Chicago Real Estate Daily as saying, “This marks a significant milestone, as it was the last step before officially beginning construction.” He also said that they expect to begin a marketing campaign as early as this fall for the 1,200 luxury condominium units the Spire will house.

For more information on the Spire or any of the other new and pre-construction condos in Chicago and the surrounding area, be sure to visit Chicago Illinois Condominiums for Sale

[tags]Chicago Spire, Chicago Illinois, Chicago Condos for Sale[/tags]