The anticipated opening of the Solis Chicago Hotel Condominiums at 71 East Wacker Drive reflects the local and coastal trend of new hotel condominiums.  Hotel condominiums offer the amenities of a hotel contained within the benefits of homeownership, and can be a sound second home or vacation home choice.  The new Solis Chicago, currently Hotel 71, will feature views of the Chicago River as well as the skyline, and promises to be a beautiful addition to the cityscape.  Steps from Michigan Avenue, the homes will be in the midst of all the Chicago glitter as well as within walking distance of the theater district and the Lyric Opera. The development is conceptualized to be competitive with Trump and the Shangri-La in the luxury market, while offering less expensive units.

Presently in first-phase sales, the Solis Chicago is a planned 40 story building with 438 units.  The homes will be sold from the low 300s with all furnishings included. The size of the units will range from 430 to 960 square feet and there will be nine room styles available to choose from. The entrances of the homes and the bathrooms of each unit will have stone floors.  In the bedroom, a plasma television is included, along with an armoire with a refrigerator, safe, and microwave.  In the bathroom, an LCD screen is present, as is a rainshower shower head.  Depending on the level of the unit, some have hardwood floors, sitting areas, and/or a wet bar.

A restaurant that features American food is being constructed.  The restaurant will have an al fresco dining area and will be run by Chef Marco Bustamante, formerly of New York’s Per Se.  The fare will be fresh organic food with an exclusively American wine list.  A 7,000 square foot luxury spa will be completed as well.  The spa will have ten treatment rooms, an aerobics studio, and a yoga studio.  A ballroom is available for events as well as smaller meeting spaces.

The Solis Hotels and Resorts brand is new, and is focusing on frequent travelers and “ultra-luxury properties in gateway cities,” according to the West Paces Hotel Group website.  The West Paces Hotel Group is led by Horst Schulte.  Mr. Schulte has served as vice-chairman for The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, and has won several quality awards for the company.  Solis Chicago is planned as the flagship of the brand; other properties in development include Arizona, Georgia, Florida, and Frankurt, Germany.  The website for the development is located at www.solischicagocondos.com.

by Risa Beckwith

[tags]Solis Chicago, Chicago Hotel Condos[/tags]

This entry was posted on Tuesday, May 1st, 2007 at 6:52 pm and is filed under Luxury Condos, Mortgage Information.