Mere months ago, The Fairbanks at Cityfront Plaza was just a hulking parking garage, an eyesore that echoed the failure of developer R.M. Chin & Associates‘ Grand Pier Center project, but now the steel tower stretches nearly two dozen stories above its base. Developer Centrum Properties is dressing up the mammoth base pretty nicely (see more pictures inside) and creating loft-style condos. The Fairbanks, the first of three planned residential and retail buildings making up Cityfront Plaza, has 240 one- to three-bedroom condos priced from the $370s to $1 million. “Terrace homes” just above the base structure have private outdoor gardens. Amenities include a theater with stadium seating, a fitness room and an outdoor swimming pool, and a sales center is located onsite at 240 E Illinois St.
Given the monstrocity of a garage Centrum and Destefano were given to work with (did anyone else notice that bizarre facade the previous developer began to install? I don’t think I’ve ever seen something so clumsy and just generally awkward-looking), I think they did a half-decent job of dealing with it aesthetically. That dark terra cotta cladding system is interesting at least. Anyway, we’re still waiting on the curtain wall installation to begin – looking forward to seeing how it will look.
I also like how they are converting the 4th through 8th floors into residential spaces, so that this giant podium will become more than just a prettied-up garage, but will have some life overlooking the street