We’ve been looking at what’s offered at the different condo conversion projects around Chicago and noticed that some of them offer more amenities than you would find in new construction developments. That’s partly because they are such large, former rental buildings that they can keep assessments down because there are so many people paying for the services.
At Grand Plaza West in River North, they’re offering a resistance pool, an outdoor swimming pool, a basketball court, fitness center, outdoor putting green, library and a business center. Buyers can also rent out the “winter garden”, an atrium-shaped party room.
Retailers in the building include Jewel Food Store, a sandwich shop and Bed, Bath and Beyond.
Ontario Place, another high-rise in River North, offers 24-hour door staff, a White Hen and a Chili’s, laundry and dry cleaning facilities, bicycle storage, a business center, a health club with saunas, Jacuzzis, an outdoor pool and a sundeck. Oh and “state-of-the-art” equipment, whatever that is. Wouldn’t it be refreshing to see someone advertise “run-of-the-mill, second-hand exercise equipment”?
We wonder whether residents even remember to use all these amenities. Also, the buildings loaded with amenities aren’t necessarily cheaper than their new-construction counterparts.