The lobby of Emerald looks like a pretty groovy place to hang out, especially if you’re a pond sprite. We dig the rippling, watery surface of the rear wall and the green lily-pad-like rugs (we think those are rugs).
A similar theme is at work in the building’s boardroom and Club Emerald (pictured below). Designs are by John Robert Wiltgen Design, Inc.
Emerald, under construction at 123 S Green St in the West Loop, comprises two towers of a dozen stories each. Last we checked, more than 70 percent of its 212 condos were sold. First deliveries are scheduled for spring 2008.
Boardroom?
Bar/lounge? Who the heck is going to support that with their monthly assesments? Great idea. Let’s pay a staff member to stand behind a bar every night and serve drinks. Do you really want to drink with your neighbors? MARKETING CRAP-OLA.
paulj,
Just a guess that this room is available to residents for parties, gatherings, etc. but won’t be staffed or used as you suggest.
Party rooms can get a lot of usage and be a great amenity.
Ecker,
I’m with you – board room is two words in my book. Another great amenity for holding business meetings if you work from home.
I am a future owner at Emerald and with the price of these condos…I hardly doubt paying a staff to man the bar is of concern.
ML, the assesments are averaging $275/month. These are the least expensive starter condos I have seen in a long time, not including the free scooter and $5000 in upgrades… The assesment is going to double once the developer bows out and to add a night time bartender on top of that? You are kidding, right?
The folks at Emerald were nice enough to clarify that the green circular shapes on the floor are not in fact rugs, but “artistic lighting elements incorporated in the concrete floor as it was
poured.”
And the rippling back wall, which reminded me of water, is a high-tech lighting display, lit from the front by fluorescent bulbs and backlit by hidden light-emitting diodes (LEDs) – which use less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs.
The lighting display is the work of Chicago-based Design Illumination.
Just a thought…maybe the association will wittily rename it “Emerald City.” Make up your own Wizard of Oz or Wicked jokes here…
Paulj, are you loco? The least expensive starter condos you have seen in a long time? I just went to their site – their cheapest 1BR condo is $275k. I’ve seen at least a few 1 BR, new construction condos in good neighborhoods going for as low as $200k….and even a couple under $200k (for example, any of CMK’s developments).
Paul,
Get over the bartender already. I believe the room is for parties only.
You are free to purchase or not purchase one of these units. I think it will be a cool place.
Nice Party Rooms in downtown/West Loop/South Loop buildings are a good draw and get used. In another life prior to real estate, I used to DJ at owner’s and renter’s parties for Christmas, client parties, birthdays etc… in these rooms.
I had multiple gigs at LaSalle and Kinzie.
My wife and I attend a Martini Party in a party room each year that an Attending Physician from her hospital throws during the holidays.
Paul, you raise a good issue in general concerning the “starting assessment” vs. what the assessment might look like in years to come. But this is a budgeting issue, and a Realtor/property manger can advise concerning that building. But your misguided sarcasm and predictions on what consumers want and don’t want get’s in the way of your point.
Anywho, I think at a popular hipster building like Emerald, you may have quite a few neighbors drinking… and getting along together. In my six unit building alone, our condo meetings are little wine and beer parties each month and we’ve already organized a local Pub Crawl in which every unit attended (we are the only ones with a kid, but like the social aspect of city condos vs a house in the burbs).
My point goes to the unsuspecting buyers getting sold these “lounges” only to learn later that they have to pay more than they thought. First time buyers don’t usually understand the assesment issues and developers start the assesments low to attract buyers.
Looking out for the little guy.. I guess no good deed goes unpunished! :-/
Unsuspecting buyers?
Again poor abused Paul, you’re the victim and the little guy… I know. But read what I quoted above:
“Paul, you raise a good issue in general concerning the “starting assessment” vs. what the assessment might look like in years to come. But this is a budgeting issue, and a Realtor/property manager can advise concerning that building.”
You’re one sided on issues.
There is a long time established condo building at 5901 N Sheridan that has assessments that average $200 dollars less than other similar buildings with similar units up and down Sheridan (and this building has a pool, covered parking garage, party room, elevators, etc for an assessment averaging just over $200! for a 1000 sq/ft place). They have managed their budget well, others have not. So it’s a case by case basis.
It could very well be the case that Emerald’s assessments fund the association adequately, and will not raise much more over the years.
I am a future owner too.
Tonight, “We’re off to see the Wizard.”
LOL
fair enough.