September 10, 2007 – Walton on the Park, the Gold Coast/River North project that takes its name from Chicago’s oldest park next door, is scheduled to break ground this month if all goes according to plan. Site prep and fencing went up in July and first deliveries are scheduled for early fall of 2009 for the south tower and approximately one year after that for condos in the north tower. The developer started marketing units in the south tower back in February and those are the only ones they are offering for sale at this time.

Washington Square Park, which came into existence in 1842, is just across the street from this development. The Park, along with the Scottish Rite Cathedral and Newberry Library have all been named to the Historic Landmarks list. This is a fitting location for the towers because the developer plans on making these homes exceptional and one of a kind, so they are in good company.

The one to three bedroom units have the expected luxury details like floor to ceiling windows, gourmet kitchens, lavish marble baths and handsome hardwood flooring. But extra touches like oversized living and dining rooms, personal work stations tucked into handy spaces and concierge service make these homes special. The fully landscaped sun deck with fireplace and meditation garden and The Walton Club spa and fitness center are just some of the building amenities that residents will be able to enjoy.

Walton on the Park is set to take its place among the list of Chicago Luxury Condos being built right now.

[tags]Walton on the Park, Chicago Illinois, Chicago Condos for Sale[/tags]

September 8, 2007 – Since work began in June on the Chicago Spire and there are the tell-tale rebar, crane and equipment present, you might be wondering just how a tower that size is going to stand at that height without swaying in the wind.

The foundation design of these new super tall buildings seems to be the key. A concrete core with supporting steel columns is the stabilizing factor. With the Spire, it’s estimated that the foundation work with 34 caissons will take at least a year, with each caisson coming at a price tag of a quarter million dollars. The vertical steel columns will connect with the concrete core by a series of trusses to provide the strength needed to keep the tower from moving with the wind. Even the twisting exterior of the Spire is a plus, because the uneven, varied surfaces help to deflect wind and not catch it.

Marketing on the 1,200 condos is expected to start sometime this month. Sales numbers will probably have the final say on determining whether or not the Spire actually makes it to its proposed 2,000 feet. Interest has been more than strong since the project was unveiled, with nearly nine hundred potential buyers requesting more information. As the rest of the year unfolds, we should have a better idea of how that initial interest translates into sales figures and ultimately, stories.

You can keep up with other luxury developments in progress by bookmaking Gold Coast Chicago Condos.

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

September 7, 2007 – 1720 S Michigan Avenue has already had its grand opening and residents have begun moving in this summer and will continue to do so into the fall as final work is completed. It was a major construction project, but the end result is 498 really nice condos in this 33 story building.

Residents have the use of no less than four high speed elevators at 1720 that run from the garage area up to the top floors. Security is a priority and everything from the lobby entrance, parking, video monitors, smoke and carbon detectors and sprinkler systems have it covered.

The condos are wired for cable, Internet and phone lines. Stainless steel appliances in the European kitchens, ten foot high ceilings, oak hardwood flooring, solid wood core front door and choice of color scheme in the kitchen and bath are a few of the luxury features offered at 1720 S Michigan. Even your pets have their own space in the building pet room where you can take them for some exercise without having to head for the park.

Residents of 1720 are settling into their new South Loop homes with plenty of time before the rush of the autumn and winter holidays. If you feel like starting out the new season with a new home in a different neighborhood, maybe you should look into the Chicago Condos in Streeterville.

[tags]1720 S Michigan, Chicago Illinois, Chicago Condos for Sale[/tags]

September 6, 2007 – Vetro has topped out and move in is scheduled to begin this fall. As you probably already know, the name Vetro is Italian for glass. Developer Roszak/ADC wanted to create a modern feel to the building and blended together a mix of glass, concrete and steel to give Vetro its unique look. The exterior of the 31 story building is sheathed in glass that has a cool blue reflective tint to it and makes the tower almost seem to be color coordinated with the sky.

The 233 condos have the same light, spacious feel as the outside of the building. The condos start on floor seven and feature details like high ceilings, floor to ceiling windows and large terraces that add to that theme of brightness. The developer even went as far as to construct translucent walls in some of the condos, and one home on every fourth floor is designed to have a large amount of living space not interrupted by columns. Square feet in each condo ranges anywhere from 500 to 2,000.

Vetro residents can also stay healthy by using the building fitness center or enjoy some down time outside reading, catching some sun or entertaining guests on the Level 7 Terrace.

If living at Vetro in this South Loop location near Printers Row isn’t exactly what you want, why not check into East Huron Condos in Chicago?

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

September 5, 2007 – To round out the high-rise high, tech condominium projects, let’s not forget 2100. This “smart home” development project, located on 2100 South Indiana Street in the South Loop, is the latest offering from Rokas International. When completed, 2100 will contain a total of 163 new condos and 42 traditional timber lofts, all with “Smart Home” technology.

Residents of 2100 will have the luxury of being able to control and adjust many of their home electronics with a hand held remote device. The options include setting a timed schedule for lighting, heating and cooling or even the sound and television systems. The remote works from any location in any room and is not only great for saving electric energy but also saving personal energy. If you’ve gotten comfortable in bed but forgotten to turn the lights off in another room, one touch on the screen can save you from getting up and doing it manually.

Besides the Smart Home technology, the residences at 2100 come with an impressive package of amenities. The one to two bedroom condos and lofts have either a terrace or balcony, stainless steel appliances in the kitchen, marble baths and are pre-wired for cable, Internet and multiple phones. The low and mid-rise buildings are joined by a glass lobby and share a fitness center, business center, movie room, heated garage, outdoor pool and grill area and Wi-Fi access.

It’s easy to see how buyers can get fire up, or maybe wired up is a better term, about developments like 2100. Smart Home technology is becoming more common these days, and you can Find Chicago New Condos that are making it a standard feature.

[tags]2100 Condos, Chicago Illinois, Chicago Condos for Sale[/tags]

September 4, 2007 – With construction moving right along on the base of Waterview Tower, you can begin to get a better idea of just how large this development is. It’s one thing to look at the architect’s rendering or mock up and another to actually see it growing on West Wacker. Eighty-nine floors takes time, but the 2009 target date for completion is still on track.

The lot where Waterview is going up had been a parking lot for around thirty years, so this project is quite a change for the area. Waterview opened sales back in 2004 and as mentioned a couple of posts ago, started construction on the same day as the Clare at Water Tower in February of 2006. This will be the first Shangri-La Hotel on U.S. soil and they are making every effort to make it memorable.

It seems that “smart homes” are the new selling point for a lot of developments. Waterview Tower is installing an AMX complete electronic home control system in the three bedroom and penthouse units. This device, which could probably become highly addictive, can either be wall mount or remote and allows you to operate several features of your home. With it you can set your heating and cooling temperatures, check security, adjust the lighting levels and amazingly even preheat the oven. All of that is possible from an interface with your cell phone or any Internet connection as well. And the building services like valet, laundry or spa treatments can be made by logging on to the private building web site.

We’ll have to keep an eye on other Pre Construction Condos in Chicago to see if this smart home technology trend gains momentum.

[tags]Waterview Tower, Chicago Illinois, Chicago Condos for Sale[/tags]

September 3, 2007 – Because it’s Labor Day the topic of this post is Pure, the 13 story condominium being built on South Morgan Street that plans on making life less labor intensive for its residents. This development is incorporating a kind of virtual community town crier and assistant in the form of its E-Community, which you can log onto from any Internet connection or your Blackberry. Through this connection, residents can access all sorts of information about the city, neighborhood, news and entertainment or dining venues. Pure’s E-Community is designed to bring the information relevant to you in one location without having to sift through the Internet to find it.

The 68 condos at Pure will be mostly one and two bedrooms with a selection of three bedroom units as well. Prices start at $245,000 and increase up to $760,000. High end finishes like Bosch stainless steel appliances and Poggen Pohl cabinets in the kitchen along with bamboo floors in the common areas come with each condo. Private balconies and nine foot high ceilings give the units plenty of breathing room.

If you can’t find anything to fill your evening by checking the E-Community, you can always hit Pure’s SKAI Lounge. Decked out with custom furniture, plasma televisions, high tech sound system, full service bar and kitchen, this is the perfect spot to entertain or be entertained. Sunrise Development wanted to provide residents with their own personal social venue and create a comfortable, relaxing atmosphere.

Construction on Pure should be complete sometime in 2008. This type of development that focuses on high tech amenities may be the new trend in condominiums. But if you aren’t quite ready to take the plunge, there are plenty of Cheap Chicago Condos available for purchase.

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

September 1, 2007 – The Clare at Water Tower isn’t one of Chicago’s typical high-rise developments. Located on the Loyola University Campus, with 52 floors it is going to be one of the tallest buildings ever built that caters strictly to senior living. With its Gold Coast address and the dozens of services offered to make life easier and more enjoyable for seniors, The Clare really is one of a kind in terms of developments.

The Clare at Water Tower began construction work back on February 22 in 2006. Coincidentally this was the exact same day that Waterview Tower also started building. Work on Clare has been steady with glass now going in over half way. Construction is expected to be complete hopefully in the first half of 2008.

The curved tower will also feature a number of stained glass windows in the building chapel and hallways. Kessler Studios of New York was commissioned to provide the artwork, which is scheduled to be installed in spring of 2008. The lower level of the tower will house 50,000 square feet dedicated to classrooms where educational programs and courses will be held.

Future residents of The Clare will be treated to a luxury living environment and be able to retain their lifestyles with all of the services and assistance offered. Meals, housekeeping, transportation, library, art studio, computer and media rooms, fitness center, banking and mailing services, barber and salon services plus year long scheduled events are all a part of the living experience there.

The sales center for The Clare at Water Tower is located in the John Hancock Building. Or you might be interested in checking out the John Hancock Center Chicago Condos.

[tags]The Clare at Water Tower, Chicago Illinois, Chicago Condos for Sale[/tags]