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

Visit Optima Signature for more details

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

Reform Studios to Open 4,000 SF Pilates Studio at Optima Signature in Downtown Chicago

CHICAGO — Reform Studios is scheduled to open a 4,000-square-foot Pilates studio on Saturday, June 22 in downtown Chicago. The studio will occupy ground-floor retail space of Optima Signature, a 57-story luxury apartment tower developed by Optima Inc. in 2017. Additional commercial tenants at the property include Guidepost Montessori School, Egg Harbor Café, Bedazzled and GoodVets Streeterville. Founded by local resident Jennifer Villamil, Reform Studios is the only studio in Chicagoland to offer Reform RX machines, the world’s first commercial-grade smart Pilates reformer. Equipped with high-definition touchscreen displays and a library of on-demand classes, the machines can precisely track users’ movements and present real-time data on calories burned, heart rate and power output as well as post-session workout summaries.

Read the full feature at RE Business Online

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Optima Leases All 22 Business Suites at Streeterville Resi Tower

Optima, Inc. has leased all 22 furnished office suites at Optima Signature, its 57-story, 490-unit Class A apartment tower at 220 E. Illinois St. in Streeterville. The suites range in size from 194 to 1,610 square feet.

“When we designed the Optima Signature office suites, our goal was to deliver a unique coworking space that stayed true to the Optima lifestyle by offering the ultimate living experience near Michigan Avenue and the Riverwalk,” said David Hovey Sr., CEO of Optima. “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.”

Along with access to the building’s amenities, business suite users also have access to a conference room with high-tech audio/visual, shared kitchen and dining area. Rents range from $1,000 to $2,800 per month.

Read the full feature at Connect Media

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.

Glencoe-based architecture and development firm Optima, which completed the Streeterville high-rise in 2017, last week began marketing four of its 25 office suites for educational purposes.

Read the full feature on MSN

Visit Optima Signature for more details

Optima Expands Property Management and Leasing Portfolio with Three Chicago-Area Luxury Rental Apartment Communities

CHICAGO, IL – Furthering its best-in-class business model of “doing it all,” design-driven real estate development firm Optima, Inc. announced today 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, Ill., 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, Ariz. 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.

Optima Signature

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.

Building residents also have convenient access to a suite of concierge services, including Optima’s own Optimized Service® contact-free in-home package delivery; Optima Connect®, which offers exclusive benefits and discounts to Optima residents at local businesses.

Optima Signature’s retail tenants include Egg Harbor Café, a restaurant specializing in breakfast, brunch and lunch; Guidepost Montessori at Magnificent Mile, offering education for infants through elementary school; GoodVets Streeterville, a full-service veterinarian redefining pet care; and Bedazzled Nails & Spa – all of which have remained open and operating in accordance with CDC guidelines.

As an added perk, residents can access a Whole Foods Market without ever having to leave the building. Visit www.optimasignature.com for in-person or virtual tours and leasing information.

Optima Lakeview

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.

Wilmette

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 Ave. in downtown Wilmette, Ill. 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.

Read the full feature on Multifamily Biz
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Pilates Studio Moves into Retail Space at Optima Signature in Chicago

Read the full feature at Connect CRE

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This Week’s Chicago Deal Sheet

Egg Harbor Café opened a nearly 5K SF restaurant in Optima Signature, a 57-story, 490-unit luxury apartment tower just east of Chicago’s Magnificent Mile. This is the first downtown Chicago location for Egg Harbor, which has 20 locations in Illinois, Wisconsin and Georgia, and specializes in breakfast, brunch and lunch. Developed by Glencoe, Illinois-based Optima Inc., Optima Signature is located at 220 East Illinois St., and features 490 apartments and 60K SF of retail and professional space.

Read the full feature at Bisnow

For more information visit Optima Signature

Egg Harbor Café Opens at Luxury Chicago Apartment Tower

CHICAGO — Egg Harbor Café has opened at Optima Signature, a 47-story, 490-unit luxury apartment tower in Chicago’s Streeterville neighborhood. The Streeterville location is the first downtown Chicago restaurant for Egg Harbor Café, which specializes in breakfast, brunch and lunch and maintains 20 locations in Illinois, Wisconsin and Georgia. Optima Inc. is the developer behind Optima Signature, which features 60,000 square feet of retail and office space. Egg Harbor occupies 4,905 square feet. There is one 490-square-foot retail space remaining at the apartment property, which opened in 2017. Other retailers include GoodVets, Guidepost Montessori, Runaway Fitness and Bedazzled Nails & Spa.

Read the full feature at RE Business Online

For more information visit Optima Signature

First downtown Chicago location of Egg Harbor Café opens in Optima Signature

Optima Signature, a 57-story, 490-unit luxury apartment tower just east of Chicago’s Magnificent Mile, announced the grand opening of its retail tenant, Egg Harbor Café, a restaurant specializing in breakfast, brunch and lunch with 20 locations in Illinois, Wisconsin and Georgia. The Streeterville location is the first downtown Chicago location for the popular restaurant named as one of the nation’s top breakfast concepts.

Developed by Glencoe, Illinois-based Optima, Inc., a full-service real estate firm, Optima Signature is located at 220 E. Illinois Street and features 490 apartments and 60,000 square feet of retail and professional space. Egg Harbor Café’s 4,905-square-foot location fronts the building’s plaza on upper Illinois Street just steps from Michigan Avenue and the Chicago River.

“We’re so pleased to welcome Egg Harbor Café to the growing list of businesses that call Optima Signature home,” said Tara Hovey, president and COO of Optima, Inc. “Our goal at Optima Signature has always been to curate a mix of retailers and businesses that not only serve our residents, but also complement the entire Streeterville neighborhood.”

Read the full feature at RE Journals

For more information visit Optima Signature

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