This new real estate trend would have to be a strong seller among sufferers of Seasonal Affective Disorder…
The latest thing in highrise condos in Chicago is to build a so-called “winter garden”, a balcony with wall-to-ceiling glass that can be opened in summer and left closed in winter, when it creates a temperate climate of about 50 degrees Fahrenheit. The idea, to be unveiled on developer Sutherland Pearsall’s upcoming Streeterville project, 535 St Clair, (see right) echoes a design feature found on many old Chicago bungalows.
Developer Mark Sutherland tells us the winter garden, available on the building’s east-facing units, will be a more flexible space than a regular balcony. Architect David Brininstool of Chicago firm Brininstool + Lynch was behind the design.
Construction on the project is scheduled to begin in 2006; in the meantime Sutherland Pearsall is trying to close out sales on a sister project just down the block, 550 St Clair.