Optima, Inc, which has given the city and suburbs some of their most creative residential designs in recent years, appears to have hit a homerun with the new Optima Old Orchard Woods, three connected 20-story condo towers just west of Old Orchard Shopping Center in Skokie on a site visible from the Edens Expressway.
More than half of the 201 condos in the first “Oak Tower” phase sold during October, according to Optima. The project will total about 691 condos in Oak Tower and two later phases – Elm Tower and Maple Tower.
The complex of connected towers features a wall of glass and aluminum that will reflect the sky and dramatic cutouts that will provide units with ample light and air while giving the development a signature look.
Most of the homes have one to three bedrooms and one or two baths, priced from the $250s to the $550s. Penthouses, which have two to four bedrooms, are priced from the $480s to more than $1 million. One heated garage space is included with each condominium, and additional spaces are available for purchase.
“Optima Old Orchard Woods has been designed to reflect its unique environment,” said David Hovey, the architect and developer who is president of Optima. “The green roof gardens, which are a signature feature of Optima buildings, are incorporated into a design with many ledges or voids in the concrete mass of the building. One of these spectacular voids is 12 stories high, and all of the voids open up additional views, create light and shading while adding interest and intricacy to the building.”
Blending a strong architectural presence with elements that provide a human scale, Optima Old Orchard Woods includes a west-facing courtyard entry oriented to the adjacent woods. The 500-foot long portico accents the entry and also serves as a sun deck, while a driveway encircles a quadrangle with a formal garden and a reflecting pond with several fountains.
Each tower will have its own two-story glass-enclosed lobby, but residents will be able to travel from one building to another without going outdoors because the towers are connected. The building also includes a dramatic two-story party room, swimming pool and large spa close to the sun deck, as well as a fitness center on the penthouse floor. There is a nature preserve with a pond and seating to create another garden spot as well as a tennis court. Lavish landscaping with berms and evergreens will create a “quiet oasis,” and a bridge over the pond connects to another bicycle path.
“Typically, condominium buyers believe they must choose between the convenience of urban living and a more remote location where they can enjoy the beauty of nature,” said Andrew Zajac, director of sales and marketing for Optima, Inc. “At
Optima Old Orchard Woods, residents can literally walk out the front door and walk along trails in the Cook County Forest Preserve, and they can also enjoy views from the condominiums overlooking miles of trees or the Chicago city skyline.”
Pre-construction sales are taking place at the Optima, Inc. Evanston sales office at 1741 Maple Street.