It’s your own little slice of Paris right here in Chicago. Just in time for the rental market rebound, Fifield Companies is wrapping up construction on the Residences at Left Bank, a 37-story apartment tower at 300 N Canal St, in the West Loop, according to GlobeSt.com. Despite the artsy name, we don’t anticipate many bohemians renting in the 451-unit high-rise, which has a fairly staid design by DeStefano & Partners.
The Loop-facing facade and entrance are fairly boring, designed in a style that might be classified “standard apartment high-rise,” apart from the triangular balconies and bays, which don’t seem especially practical. The back side of the tower, though, where the separate garage is situated, has some interest. This profile includes more glass, a distinctly vertical emphasis and some angularity, as the building folds in counterpoint to the garage’s stepped-back design.
But it’s as if the right bank doesn’t know what the Left Bank is doing in Fifield’s split-personality configuration. It’s a shame that DeStefano couldn’t have followed the trail it blazed with the Residences of River Bend, a terrific condo tower that hugs the river next door. The architect behind that high-rise, Robert Bistry, has since left to start his own firm.
The Left Bank Residences will have a residents’ lounge, a business center, a library, a media room, a lap pool, a fitness center and a 7th floor terrace. Construction began about a year ago, and first occupancy is planned for November.