The Gammonley Group’s Prairie Pointe at Central Station is almost sold out, with just 10 residences remaining for sale. The marketing program has been a howling success, according to Emma Kinnison, a sales consultant for the developer of the 24-story condominium tower at 1600 S Prairie Ave in the South Loop.
“There are so many reasons why this building has been so popular,” says Kinnison. “Besides the wonderful construction quality and all of the amenities, buyers love the location on Prairie Avenue, where so much of Chicago’s history was recorded. It has once again become an intimate, quiet neighborhood, yet it’s just a stone’s throw from the lake and minutes from all that the city has to offer.”
Kinnison has another theory about Prairie Pointe’s popularity.
“About 40 percent of our units are one-bedrooms, and they are the most spacious of any in the area. People really appreciate the roominess of the units, and that has given them an edge over a lot of other buildings,” she says.
Designed by Fujikawa Johnson Gobel Architects, Prairie Pointe really introduced a new architectural aesthetic to the neighborhood, according to Jerry Johnson, the firm’s president.
“We had no context to guide us with this project,” says Johnson. “There was a lot of vacant land and railroad tracks, and really nothing else, though by the time we finished, activity in the area had begun to pick up.”
The dearth of buildings in the neighborhood actually worked to Prairie Pointe’s advantage, Johnson says, because it afforded unobstructed views for virtually all of the residents.
“You can literally look into Soldier Field from many of the residences,” he says. “Obviously we planned the footprint of the building to take maximum advantage of the available vistas.”
In May, 10 of the original 156 luxury townhouses and condos remain available, led by a 2,700 square-foot penthouse that features a 1,500 square-foot terrace and is priced at $1.82 million. Five one-bedroom units in the $380s remain, along with a one-bedroom-plus-den in the $550s and three two-bedrooms in the $450s.
The Gammonley Group has been developing quality projects in the Chicago area for two decades now, including nearby 1111 Wabash. A mixture of traditional, contemporary and a touch of ultra-modern architecture appeals to a wide variety of buyers, according to Deborah Chiet, director of sales and marketing for Gammonley.
“The design of the building has attracted a diverse group of buyers,” says Chiet. “But I have to emphasize that the location, away from the hustle and bustle, yet with views that include the lake, Navy Pier, Soldier Field, the museum campus and much more is a huge draw.”
Building amenities include an elegant lobby with 24-hour door staff, entertainment room, an adjacent park and dog run, conference room, fitness center, and a sundeck with whirlpool.
Some of the unit amenities include nine- and 10-foot ceilings, hardwood flooring in living areas, spacious balconies or terraces, gas log fireplaces, and multimedia wiring.
The kitchens come fully equipped with granite countertops, 21.6 cubic-foot refrigerators, built-in gas cooktops and self-cleaning ovens, 42-inch upper cabinets, and double-bowl, stainless-steel sinks.
The master bedroom has a spacious walk-in closet, and the baths have cultured marble vanities, designer wood cabinetry, and ceramic tile flooring.
The sales office is located at the building in suite 1707. It is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.