Grand Orleans breaks ground in River N.

Developer Robin Construction Corp. has broken ground on the Grand Orleans, a 14-story condo building planned for the corner of Grand and Orleans, in River North. The developer has been marketing the project since 2001 but cited steady spring sales this year as the impetus behind starting foundation work.
“We anticipate an 18-month construction schedule with first occupancy in fall 2005,” said Richard Robin, president of Robin Construction Corp.

The $42 million building will have 98 condos – seven per floor – and parking for 113 cars. The ground floor includes a small retail space, a fitness center and a station for 24-hour door staff.

The units range from convertibles to three-bedrooms with 2.5 baths, base priced from the $170s to the $640s. Seven select floor plans on the eighth floor have large terraces, which extend over the building’s parking garage base.

The location in booming River North has been the biggest draw, according to Robin.

“In addition to the preponderance of younger single and married professionals, this location has been drawing empty nesters seeking the urban lifestyle with a pied-a-terre or on a permanent basis,” Robin said.

Standard features include hardwood floors in living areas, nine-foot ceilings, granite counters, GE appliances and Canac cabinets.

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