Although many new residential developments try to nod to the Chicago architectural aesthetic, few have hit the nail on the head the way S&S Home Builders has with a townhouse development in West Ridge, writes Dan Schuyler.

In the July issue of New Homes, Dan profiles Sacramento Square, a 30-unit project on Sacramento Avenue, between between Devon and Peterson avenues.

Location and appearance are critical factors in the eyes of a prospective buyer, but Sacramento Square offers much more.

“With prices from $389,000, we are offering 2,400 square feet of townhome living at condominium prices,” says Michael Schwartz, a principal at S&S. “We are unique in that we are the only new-construction townhome project in the entire area, and we are offering a level of value that cannot be matched by the masses of condominium units that are so prevalent on the North Side.”

The experienced developer is right on the money on both counts. From a price-point perspective, Sacramento Square will definitely turn heads, and with respect to style and type, the development is the only one of its kind in the area.

Although Sacramento Square pays considerable homage to the historical architectural heritage of the neighborhood and the city, the unit design and amenities accommodate the desires and tastes of today’s forward-thinking buyers.

Read the entire sponsored article here.

Everleigh, a condominium project under construction in Des Plaines, represents Sertus Capital Partners' response to the demand for luxurious living in the Chicago's suburbs. In the June issue of New Homes, Sertus principal Michael Glazier explains his building philosophy and how it ties into his decision to build 144 urban-style condos on Des Plaines' River Street.

“‘Sertus’ in Latin means ‘linked’ or ‘connected,’” says Glazier, who wanted to create a luxury condominium lifestyle near suburban transit systems.

“Everleigh is just a block from the Metra station. That location makes it a convenient extension of city living into Des Plaines for those who work downtown or want proximity to O’Hare or the expressways.”

The downtown Des Plaines setting provides an ideal location for a building that is truly the first of its kind for the area. The warm masonry glass and renaissance exterior creates a new architectural context between the downtown area and the forest preserve that borders one entire side of the building.

Read the entire sponsored article here.

Just 10 units remain at The Gammonley Group's Prairie Pointe at Central Station, according to sales consultant Emma Kinnison. In this sponsored article from the June issue of New Homes, Kinnison explains why the 24-story condominium building in the South Loop has been such a success.

“There are so many reasons why this building has been so popular,” says Kinnison. “Besides the wonderful construction quality and all of the amenities, buyers love the location on Prairie Avenue, where so much of Chicago’s history was recorded. It has once again become an intimate, quiet neighborhood, yet it’s just a stone’s throw from the lake and minutes from all that the city has to offer.”

Kinnison has another theory about Prairie Pointe’s popularity.

“About 40 percent of our units are one-bedrooms, and they are the most spacious of any in the area. People really appreciate the roominess of the units, and that has given them an edge over a lot of other buildings,” she says.

Read the entire sponsored article here.

An uncertain real-estate market has left some developers tapping their toes and twiddling their thumbs as they wait for potential buyers to arrive. Not so at Kargil Development's Prairie District Lofts, writes Dan Schuyler. In the June issue of New Homes, Schuyler talks to Kargil vice president Brian Giles, who sounds perfectly happy with the sales at the South Loop loft project.

“In this market, it’s all about price point,” says Giles. “We’re 50 percent sold and averaging about one sale a week, and it’s because our loft conversion has a price point that is at least 30 percent and in some cases 40 percent less than new construction. As a result, we haven’t been caught up in the slowdown that has affected so many others.”

Giles could not be more straightforward. What goes unsaid, however, is that the five-story building, erected in 1905 for Kodak and later converted into a rental apartment building, has been transformed into a gorgeous, $36-million loft condominium in one of Chicago’s hottest neighborhoods.

Don’t forget the historical angle. It plays a big part in the minds of some buyers, according to Giles, who says that the building’s brick and timber have an appeal to many who can find all kinds of steel and glass wherever they look.

Read the entire sponsored article here.

It’s clear what co-developers Stillpoint Development, The Pickus Companies and Castlebar Enterprises had in mind when they baptized Mod, writes Dan Schuyler in the June issue of New Homes (out today at these locations).

“The developers definitely wanted modern,” says Chris Payne of Sullivan, Goulette & Wilson, the architects for the project, emphasizing that “contemporary” was the order of the day both inside and out.

“We started with bold red panels and a lot of glazing on the outside and carried the look into the lobby,” Payne continued. “And we went with an open floor plan in the unit interiors. Lots of clean lines and a very contemporary look.”

Planned in two stages – a 56-unit building at 1222 W Madison St and a 36-unit property next door at 1224 W Madison St – the developers clearly created the Mod design for the upwardly-mobile young professional, though the location and the development’s eco-friendly features appeal to a broad spectrum of buyers.

Read the entire sponsored article here.

Deliveries have begun at Senco Properties' Emerald, so writer Dan Schuyler decided to talk to a few buyers about why they chose to make their homes in the West Loop towers. In this sponsored article from the June issue of New Homes, Dan meets Scott and Margaret Verhey, who work in the city and wanted to purchase an in-town home.

“Everything went right,” says Scott. “We like the fact that common amenities such as the fitness center are all useful and don’t unnecessarily inflate the costs to the residents. Most important though was the seamless, competent service we received from the entire staff. It’s almost unheard of for a new building to deliver on all of its promises and to do everything on schedule.”

The couple points to the finishes in their new home, which they believe are far superior to those in the other buildings that they visited.

“There really isn’t any need for upgrades,” he says. “Everything you want is already there.”

The Verheys’ reaction is gratifying to Bill Senne, managing partner of the Emerald development team.

“We delivered exactly what we promised,” says Senne. “Despite the pressures of the economy, we stuck to our guns. I think it shows, both in the incomparable quality of the building and in the enthusiasm of our buyers.”

Read the entire sponsored article here.

In the June issue of New Homes, Elizabeth Blackwell writes about the spacious, full-floor condominiums of C/A 23, The Brixton Group's new development at 23 N Aberdeen St in the West Loop.

With condos ranging from 1,900 to 4,000 square feet, C/A 23 is sure to stand out in a neighborhood replete with new construction homes, says developer Geoff Ruttenberg.

“If you’re looking for this kind of square footage, you’d usually have to buy a townhouse, which is very vertical,” says Geoff Ruttenberg, CEO of The Brixton Group, which is developing the property.

“From a practical standpoint, having this amount of square footage on one floor means a convenient, enjoyable lifestyle. It’s a unique option in a very urban, hot neighborhood.”

C/A 23 combines a downtown look with access to the outdoors. (The name refers to the development’s location, between Carpenter and Aberdeen streets.) A spacious courtyard, subdivided into 12 private yards, connects two five-story buildings, each with 24 units. Penthouse buyers get roof rights, allowing them to build custom decks. Most West Loop properties have little (if any) outdoor space, so buyers at C/A 23 have a rare opportunity to enjoy both a contemporary downtown lifestyle and a garden.

Read the entire sponsored article here.

Asked who originally created Opera Lofts’ edifices, architect Mike Jerabek responds simply: “a madman.” The 370-foot multi-level building (really a conglomerate of six buildings) was constructed from 1912 to 1924 and for years served as a set design and storage facility for the Lyric Opera of Chicago.

Developer LOACQ recently converted the building at 2545 S Dearborn St into the 93-unit Opera Lofts. In the June issue of New Homes, writer Dan Schuyler talks to Jerabek and LOACQ's Leigh Ballen about the project.

“We’ve spent the last two years trying to make this vision come true,” says co-developer Leigh Ballen. “It turns out that no one person knows all there is to know about this building. We knew it would make great loft space, and it has been an honor to be a part of it. But the challenges have been unique, to say the least.”

Ballen says that because Opera Lofts is so awe-inspiring, he and his partners were committed to spare no expense in crafting the finest building of its type, with finishes that rival even those in big-name, high-profile projects like the Trump International Hotel and Tower.

Read the entire sponsored article here.

From the green roof Mayor Daley installed on top of City Hall to Oprah’s insistence that her staff bring in reusable mugs for their morning coffee, Chicagoans are doing their part to help the environment. As Elizabeth Blackwell writes in the June issue of New Homes, few places may deliver on the promise of green living like Senco Properties’ EcoLogic Lofts.

The building’s green credentials start at the very top. Rooftop wind turbines – a rarity in Chicago – will help generate power for the building. The roof will also be covered with low-maintenance plants, which help insulate the building and soak up rain, lessening wasteful water runoff. Thanks to these and other features, the building is expected to receive LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, signaling the development’s commitment to environmentally sensitive design.

LEED-accredited professionals were consulted throughout FitzGerald Architects Associates’ design process. The construction itself will be eco-sensitive, from on-site recycling programs to filtering water runoff. More than 20% of the building materials will be recycled components, and many materials were sourced from suppliers within 500 miles of Chicago to conserve fuel and transport-related pollution.

Read the entire sponsored article here.

How does an up-and-coming developer stand out in a neighborhood filled with new condominiums? For Sunrise Equities, the answer was simple: Choose a building design with clean, modern lines and set out to make homes finished with elegant European materials.

Pure, a 67-unit building at 24 S Morgan St, is still under construction, but its glassy exterior already stands out in a neighborhood that for years was defined by cookie-cutter, red-brick condos.

Architect Steve Weiss, the creator of Crate and Barrel’s distinctive storefront on Michigan Avenue, designed Pure’s translucent glass facade. The result is something that is “a little of Vegas and a little of New York in the Midwest,” says Suzy Grossman, Pure’s director of sales and marketing.

A glassy exterior does two things for a building. Yes, it catches the eyes of West Loop residents as they stroll along Madison or Adams Street on their way to work in the Loop. But it also ensures that every home is filled with natural light and the magnificent vistas of downtown Chicago.

Read more about Pure in this sponsored article from the June issue of New Homes.