I don't usually post typical articles like these. But I have to admit, it gives a lot of information about the Grand Plaza development, as well as prices in downtown Chicago. I am surprised--downtown Chicago rents are really starting to reach new stratospheric levels. Also, the amenities in these new buildings are unbelievable. Chicago is reaching new levels with its downtown development--a level of sophistication that keeps it a step ahead of the competition. Sure, it's an ugly as hell building, but the amenities are quite attractive. What do you guys think about these new prices--is this an exception or is this the standard for downtown Chicago now?
Praise sky high for 'resort'
January 16, 2005
BY CELESTE BUSK Homelife Staff Reporter Advertisement
"It's like living in a resort! My lord, the amenities!" That's the bottom line from Brittnie Romain, an apartment renter at the Grand Plaza, a new high-rise in River North.
The 764-unit apartment building at 540 N. State is brimming with pampering amenities. A 50,000-square-foot "club floor" includes perks unusual for Chicago apartment living.
For example, the ninth floor "club" allows Grand Plaza's residents to lift weights, play basketball, e-mail a client in the business center, grab a latte, relax in the sauna or whirlpool, jog outdoors, sunbathe, order room service and practice putting -- all without leaving the building.
The building also features a party room with catering kitchen, media and billiards room and a library with a fireplace. Other amenities include a grocery store, a landscaped outdoor pool deck with barbecue areas and a skylit indoor garden.
Romain, who moved to the Windy City from St. Louis, rents a 1-bedroom apartment on the 47th floor at the Grand Plaza.
"When I first came here, I didn't know anything about Chicago," she said. "Whenever I inquired about the best place to rent an apartment, everyone kept talking about the Grand Plaza as 'the place to be in the heart of the city.' " Romain has her own company, Beau Brummel Enterprise, a personal shopping business and consulting firm.
"I like the fact that it's brand new," she said. "The location also is unbelievable! I'm right by the L, there are cabs and a bus stop just outside, and there's a Jewel next door. Everything is right here. I don't have to have a car.
"Any time you need anything or anything done, you don't have to wait," said Romain, 30. "The staff comes immediately. They have room service, cleaning services, they'll come pick up and drop off your dry-cleaning and they even offer free rentals on DVDs and videos in the management office."
Romain said the Grand Plaza's location was another important factor in her decision to rent. "I like the fact that it's in a trendy, urban, upscale, sophisticated area. The neighborhood is packed with restaurants, stores, and just about everything you can think of is just outside my front door," she said.
Getting fussed over by the staff is another of Romain's favorite lures at the Grand Plaza. "The staff makes you feel like you're the only person in the building," she said. "They do everything for you. For example, I'm a small girl and one day I received a large box delivered in the mail room. The staff took the courtesy to call and asked if I wanted maintenance to deliver it for me. Small things like that offer so much [to a tenant].
"The staff also knows every- one here by their first name," Romain said. "I have clients come to my home, too, and the staff knows all of them by their first name. They're so polite and generous."
She's also fond of the apartment floor plan. "I love the layout," she said. "It's really open, with phenomenal floor-to-ceiling windows and a balcony that overlooks downtown. My view includes the Chicago Theatre, the location of the new Trump Tower going up, the Hancock building and the lake.
"The kitchen is open to the living/dining area, which makes it even more spacious," Romain said. "When I'm in the kitchen cooking macaroni and cheese, I just look over and there's downtown Chicago. It's very panoramic."
Grand Plaza's monthly rents range from $1,407 to $6,607. The floor plans include convertibles, 1-bedroom units, 2-bedroom units and 3-bedroom duplex penthouses.
All apartments feature amenities typically found in condos such as granite island kitchens, in-unit washer and dryer and high-speed Internet access. Sizes range from 690 to 2,570 square feet.
The Grand Plaza's penthouses feature fireplaces and spectacular two-story living rooms (with 20-foot windows). Kitchens are equipped with maple cabinetry and stainless-steel appliances. Rents for the bilevel duplex penthouses range from $5,192 to $6,607.
Grand Plaza is managed by Near North Properties Inc. The high-rise building won a 2004 Paragon Award from the National Apartment Association for maintaining an exceptional property.
"Grand Plaza is one of the Windy City's truly exceptional rental developments and a deserving winner," said Robin Loewenberg Berger, vice president of Near North Properties, which is co-developer of the towers along with Magellan Development Group, U.S. Equities and Cataldo/ Marovitz Group.
Grand Plaza, designed by the architectural firm of Loewenberg & Associates, also was named "Development of the Year" in February of 2004 by the Greater North Michigan Avenue Association.
In late 2003, Grand Plaza also was a major winner at the 11th annual Chicagoland Apartment Marketing and Management Excellence Awards, more commonly known at the CAMME Awards. These honors are sponsored by the 300-member Chicagoland Apartment Association, which represents 135,000 rental apartment units in the six-county area.
Grand Plaza won seven CAMME awards for best community amenities, best convertible model, best 1-bedroom model, best 2-bedroom model, best 2-bedroom floor plan, best 3-bedroom floor plan, best apartment community direct mail and best newsletter> |
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