Buyers can now get up close and personal with select units at Astoria Tower, the new high-rise at 8 E 9th St in the South Loop. The tower’s Weichert, Realtors – Frankel & Giles sales team has opened up a couple of models — a northeast-corner two-bedroom and a southwest corner junior one-bedroom — and will furnish more units in the coming weeks, says sales manager Jim Psyhogios.

Yesterday I visited Astoria Tower to check out these two new models. The unit you see in these photos and the floor plan at right is an 04 tier home that’s located on the tower’s 11th through 26th floors. The 1,141 square-foot two-bedroom / two-bath features a 30-foot wide balcony off the living / dining area and plenty of views to the north and the east. The homes range from the $380s to $590s, depending on the floor, and have monthly assessments of $498, covering heat / air conditioning, water, gas, basic cable, on-site amenities, and a 24-hour door staff.