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Community: Optima Signature

Pickleball Takes Its Place as the Must-Have Luxury Amenity

Making Use of Existing Tennis and Basketball Courts

Before installing dedicated courts, luxury developers can try out pickleball at their facilities for a negligible price. They can add lines to existing tennis and basketball courts and roll out temporary nets.

The Abaco Club gauged residents’ interest in the game by adding stripes to its tennis court before committing to the smaller-sized courts. The residential developer Optima Inc., which owns properties in Scottsdale, Arizona and Chicago, did the same by painting stripes on indoor basketball courts.

“The requirements are similar to those of an indoor basketball court, so it’s been an easy addition. The most important thing to consider in planning a pickleball court is space and creating the striping overlay on the existing court in a way that’s cohesive,” said David Hovey Jr., AIA, president, COO and principal architect of Optima, Inc.

More: Whether in a Garden or on a Windowsill, These High-Tech Gardening Accessories Will Help Your Plants Thrive

To meet demand, they’ve planned an outdoor pickleball stadium at their forthcoming luxury apartment tower, 7190 Optima Kierland. The 216-unit tower is slated to open in 2023 in Scottsdale. “We’re excited to build resident programming around this newest feature, possibly hosting a tournament,” Mr. Hovey said.

 

Read the full article on Mansion Global

Pop-Up Schools? Chicago Residential High-Rise Opens Business Suites to E-Learning

Streeterville’s Optima Signature Leases Space as Solution for Parents Working From Home

Necessity is the mother of innovation, and in this case, it’s finding a place to settle kids into remote school learning during the coronavirus pandemic when there’s not enough room at home.

Optima Signature found a way to lease unused space and solve the problem at the same time: turn business suites in the 57-story, multifamily Streeterville complex in Chicago into e-learning labs.

It creates a reprieve for dual-working parents with children at a time when the Chicago Public School system, among others, said all learning this fall will be done online. “It’s a place at home away from home,” said Ali Burnham, Optima’s marketing director at the 490-unit high-end tower.

Built in 2017 by Optima, based in suburban Glencoe, Illinois, the building at 220 E. Illinois St. stands out with its multistory, bright-red, glass exterior right above its base against a cluster of blue-glass buildings and concrete parking structures.

Besides the luxury one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments in the mixed-use tower, it also is home to Guidepost Montessori at Magnificent Mile, the Streeterville outpost for toddlers to elementary-aged children with a Spanish immersion program.

The suites, which can be used for young elementary school-aged children as well as those in middle and high school, are pretty much already suited for e-learning with five to seven workstations, a minifridge, built-in cabinetry and outdoor space. And, of course, they’re cleaned professionally on a regular basis.

They all come with Wi-Fi and have access to the site’s 1.5 acres of amenities that include plenty of outdoor lounges, a basketball court, a pool and lots of running and playground space, Burnham said. What’s more, they’re open to nonresidents too.

“The workstations are perfectly set up already for middle school or high school students,” she said. “They just have to bring their things.” For younger children, there’s a 500-square-foot suite that includes a lot of open space that can be used for workstations, art projects, reading hubs and music.

Read the full feature at Costar

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A Myriad of Home Trends to Gain Momentum in 2021

When it comes to the home and design trends experts anticipate prevailing in the year ahead, the overarching theme will be options in abundance.

While homeowners continue to want their outdoor spaces that offer a safe retreat, that appeal has shifted into other parts of the home, coupling comfort with function. In other words, homeowners want amenities for work and leisure, and they plan to enjoy long them long after the pandemic.

Here are 10 trends to watch in 2021.

7. What it is: Grander staircases

Why now: Entryways into a house became the star a few years ago with the rise of mudrooms for organizing backpacks, jackets, and boots in cubbies—maybe even including a place to bathe Fido. The spotlight has now shifted to playing up the main staircase’s size, shape, and detailing to add “wow” to a first impression. This may include replacing the treads, risers, and handrails, and possibly adding a runner.

“Staircases are, by their nature, incredibly sculptural, so they are the perfect architectural feature that can be exploited in a variety of ways,” says architect Bob Zuber with Chicago-based Morgante Wilson Architects. “They can be overly grand, stripped down to the bare essentials, modern, or super traditional, warm, and cozy, or industrial and techy.”

The trend is gaining speed in multifamily buildings, too. One Bennett Park, a luxury residence in Chicago developed by Related Midwest and designed by Robert A.M. Stern Architects, has an Art Deco staircase that winds between two amenity floors with an ornamental brass railing and steps made of two contrasting, polished marbles. At the Optima Signature Chicago building, architect David Hovey Sr. gave a staircase vivid pops of yellow and orange.

Read the full feature on Realtor Magazine

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Optima’s Spring Carnival highlights family-centric city living

High mortgage rates and scarce housing inventory are posing a critical question: “Where are all the apartments for families in American cities?” Many parents, strained by these pressures, are considering moving to quieter suburban environs. In response, luxury rental apartments, like Optima Signature in Chicago, are innovatively adapting to fulfill the demand for family-friendly city living.

This rising demand has spurred Optima Signature, a luxury high-rise in Streeterville, Chicago, to create a unique urban haven for families. On Sunday, May 21, they will host their first-ever Spring Carnival, transforming their 7th-floor basketball court and terrace into a lively event open to residents and potential renters alike. The occasion promises many attractions, from carnival performers to a cotton candy-strewn snack bar.

The building’s family-centric amenities and regular events extend beyond this one-time affair. Holiday celebrations, indoor and outdoor pools, a bocce ball court, designated children’s play spaces, and a Montessori School on the first-floor form the lifeblood of a close-knit community atmosphere.

Optima’s management team acknowledges the growing popularity of such amenities, indicating a clear shift towards accommodating family needs in the city’s rental market. This focus could help deter suburban migration by providing a desirable, communal city living experience.

The intriguing narrative of family-friendly urban rental housing is far from over. Optima Signature’s approach might catalyze a significant shift, promising more than a home for families – it’s offering a community.

The Spring Carnival will take place from 1 – 3 p.m. on Sunday, May 21, at Optima Signature, 220 E Illinois St, Chicago. Free parking validation is available at the nearby CityFront public parking garage.

Read more on Chicago Star Media

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Optima sees strong demand for shared workspace in Streeterville neighborhood

The well-publicized troubles of WeWork have not put a damper on coworking in Chicago. Amid signs the sector will continue growing over the next few years, Optima officials said Wednesday that the company leased all 22 furnished office suites at its Optima Signature tower in Streeterville.

The 57-story, 490-unit apartment building at 220 East Illinois St. opened in June 2017. Early last year, Optima debuted the office suites, which are open to both residents and nonresidents, and range in size from 194 SF to more than 1K SF.

“The fact that the office suites at Optima Signature leased in under a year shows our shared office experience resonated with the growing number of professionals who work remotely in this area,” Optima CEO David Hovey said. Hovey said the suites are a great amenity for residents, allowing them to have a true office environment within their own building, and nonresidents can work just steps from Michigan Avenue, as well as access the Signature tower’s amenities. Rents range from $1K to $2,800 per month.

Read the full feature at Chicago Business Journal

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Optima, Inc. expands property management and leasing portfolio with three Chicago-area luxury rental communities

Optima, Inc. announced that it will lead property management and leasing services at three Chicagoland Class A rental buildings—its 490-unit Optima Signature mixed-use development in Chicago’s Streeterville neighborhood, the under-construction 198-unit Optima Lakeview in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood and its upcoming 109-unit building in downtown Wilmette, Illinois, along Chicago’s North Shore.

While Optima has served as the owner, architect, developer and general contractor for its properties in Chicago and Arizona for more than 40 years, the firm primarily focused its property management services at its Scottsdale, Arizona rental communities, including the two-tower, 363-unit Optima Kierland Apartments and the five-building, 768-unit Optima Sonoran Village.

“As we expand our portfolio in the Chicago area with two new luxury apartments in development, it is a natural progression to bring management in-house, enabling us to provide the same level of exceptional service we’ve perfected at our Arizona communities,” said David Hovey Jr., AIA, president and COO of Optima, Inc. “Optima Signature residents will quickly recognize our commitment to the resident experience, because as the designer, builder, and property manager, we are able to create a truly holistic experience, tailored to their preferences.”

To kick off its property management services at Optima Signature this month, Optima has unveiled a full roster of resident services and virtual event programming such as housekeeping, pet care, car care, virtual fitness classes and room service and barista service through Pear Chef.

Open since 2017 and just steps from Michigan Avenue and the Riverwalk, Optima Signature is a 57-story luxury rental development at 220 E. Illinois St. with 490 studio, convertible, one-, two- and three-bedroom units with 1.5 acres of amenity space.

Optima Signature’s first-class amenities include resort-style indoor and outdoor heated swimming pools; cabanas and bars; a cutting-edge fitness center with saunas, steam rooms and WELLBEATS virtual workout studio; resident lounge with coffee bar; basketball, squash and bocce ball courts; and golf simulator and putting green. On a separate floor, residents can access cardio and strength-training equipment, a yoga studio, locker rooms with both steam and shower and indoor children’s play area.

Outdoor amenities feature multiple terraces with 16 fire pits, new heat lamps to enable more outdoor time during the cold weather months, a 40-yard running track, dog park, children’s play area, whirlpool spa, cabanas, lounge seating, televisions, co-ed sauna and steam rooms, a kitchen, grilling stations and dining areas.

Scheduled to open in spring 2022 at 3460 N. Broadway, Optima Lakeview is a seven-story transit-oriented development (TOD) of 198 one-, two- and three-bedroom units with 14,000 square feet of street-level retail in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood within walking distance of Lake Michigan and Wrigley Field.

Optima Lakeview’s 40,000-square-feet of amenities will be spread across the building and include a rooftop sky deck with pool, spa, terrace and party room; a striking glass-enclosed atrium; indoor basketball court; golf simulator and putting green; fitness center with state-of-the-art equipment; yoga/stretching room; sports lounge; dog park and pet spa; children’s play area; game room; demonstration kitchen; two conference rooms; and a business center. Residents can use the 94 fully enclosed parking spaces at grade level and storage for 208 bicycles.

Construction is set to start later this year on a new development of 109 luxury one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments and 8,000 square feet of street-level retail at 1210 Central Avenue in downtown Wilmette. The location across the street from the Metra commuter train station at Green Bay Road will be ideal for North Shore commuters. Amenities will include a rooftop sky deck and pool, residential courtyard and a suite of additional amenities. The building will also have 173 parking spaces, including some electric vehicle charging stations.

The Wilmette development will showcase Optima’s innovative vertical landscaping system—well known at its Arizona communities—with hand-selected plants that will stay green year-round, even during the most extreme weather conditions. First move-ins are planned for 2023.

Learn more at Optima Signature

Read the full feature on RE Journals

Optima Leases Up Signature Tower Suites As Coworking Continues Its Rise

The well-publicized troubles of WeWork have not put a damper on coworking in Chicago. Amid signs the sector will continue growing over the next few years, Optima officials said Wednesday that the company leased all 22 furnished office suites at its Optima Signature tower in Streeterville.

The 57-story, 490-unit apartment building at 220 East Illinois St. opened in June 2017. Early last year, Optima debuted the office suites, which are open to both residents and nonresidents, and range in size from 194 SF to more than 1K SF.

“The fact that the office suites at Optima Signature leased in under a year shows our shared office experience resonated with the growing number of professionals who work remotely in this area,” Optima CEO David Hovey said. Hovey said the suites are a great amenity for residents, allowing them to have a true office environment within their own building, and nonresidents can work just steps from Michigan Avenue, as well as access the Signature tower’s amenities. Rents range from $1K to $2,800 per month.

Read the full feature on Bisnow

Visit Optima Signature for more details

Coronavirus brings unlikely classroom: A 57-story apartment tower in Streeterville

A 57-story apartment tower in the Streeterville neighborhood plans to convert some of its office space to small classrooms, betting that frazzled families will seek space outside the home to conduct remote learning amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The 490-unit Optima Signature, a skyscraper at 220 E. Illinois St. known for its bright red lower levels, is no ordinary schoolhouse.

Yet with many parents working from home since March amid COVID-19, and with many schools planning to conduct classes virtually this fall, the building’s owner believes there will be a demand for learning pods. So-called “pandemic pods” and “micro-schools” allow small groups of kids from close-knit families to study together in person with a teacher, tutor or parent.

Widespread closures of schools and day cares has left Chicago-area workers and employers scrambling for solutions.

Read the full feature on Yahoo News

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Optima Expands Management Portfolio to Chicago

Optima Inc. has expanded its property management and leasing capabilities to its projects in Chicago. Despite being owner, architect, developer and general contractor for its properties in Chicago and Arizona, Optima previously only handled property management services for its Arizona communities.

Now the company will take on property management and leasing for its three Class A rental buildings in the Chicago area: Optima Signature, Optima Lakeview and Optima Wilmette. David Hovey Jr., Optima’s president & COO, said in prepared remarks that it was a natural progression for Optima to bring management in house as the company expands its Chicago area portfolio.

With Optima Signature being the only completed community, Optima will kick off its property management services there by offering resident services and virtual event programming that includes housekeeping, pet care, car care, virtual fitness classes and room and bar service.

Located at 220 E. Illinois St., Optima Signature opened its doors in 2017. The 57-story luxury rental development offers 490 units through studios, convertibles, one-, two- and three-bedroom floorplans. The property’s amenities include a fitness center, resident lounge, children’s play area, running track, dog park, outdoor kitchen, sports courts and indoor and outdoor pools. Residents also get direct access to the nearby Whole Foods from the building.

Visit Optima Signature for more details

Read the full feature on Multi-Housing News

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