Optima Inc. has received approval from the village of Wilmette to develop its latest mixed-use project on Chicago’s North Side.

The company plans to develop 109 luxury apartments along with more than 8,000 square feet of street-level retail at 1210 Central Ave., across the street from the Metra station at Green Bay Road. The project is slated to break ground in late 2021.

Optima, is known for its residential developments around the Chicago and Phoenix areas. The company in particular has targeted the North Shore, where it has developed 20 projects including the 660-unit Optima Old Orchard Woods condominium development in Skokie.

The company also started construction last month on Optima Lakeview, a mixed-use, transit-oriented development located at 3460 N. Broadway in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood. The project has been designed to include 198 apartments and street-level retail, and is slated to open in 2022.

Optima’s new project in Wilmette has been drawn up to include one-, two- and three-bedroom units to go along with 28 street parking spaces for public use. It is also set to feature Optima’s vertical landscaping system that includes self-containing irrigation and drainage for specially chosen plants that will stay green through cold Chicago winters.

Planned amenities at the project include a rooftop pool and sky deck access, electric vehicle charging stations, 173 parking spaces and access to a residential courtyard. An 8-foot tall sculpture, to be created by David Hovey, the building’s designer, will be situated near the building’s entry along with benches for the public to enjoy the view.
The project is scheduled to be completed in 2023, and Optima aims to earn Green Globes Certification for the building.

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Optima, Inc. says its construction team has broken ground on a six-story, 100-unit Optima Verdana apartment building in downtown Wilmette.

The development is the firm’s second new Chicago-area retail and apartment building to break ground in the last year – the 198-unit Optima Lakeview is scheduled for completion in spring 2022. Optima Verdana plans to welcome its first residents in spring 2023.

The Wilmette project will include 6,000 sq. ft. of street-level retail and apartments averaging 1,507 sq. ft.

“In designing Optima Verdana, we’ve prioritized biophilic elements in a way that puts outdoor space, natural light and fresh air at the center of residents’ day-to-day lives – from our signature vertical landscaping system to spacious terraces and a landscaped courtyard,” Optima Inc CEO David Hovey Sr said in a Nov. 30 statement.

“Residents can not only immerse themselves in the outdoors from their private terrace space, but also reap benefits from its abundant greenery, which offers added privacy and an increased aesthetic value. We’ve even enhanced our commitment to sustainability by reducing our use of gas, opting for electric grills on terraces and induction cooktops in kitchens.”

He said the project will be designed to achieve two Green Globes through the Green Globes Building Certification. Green construction practices include green concrete for the superstructure and a super energy efficient VRF heating and cooling system.

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A massive residential development in Wilmette is nearly move-in ready.

Construction is in the final phases at Optima Verdana, a six-story, 100-unit apartment building at 1210 Central Ave. — corner of Central Avenue and Green Bay Road — and residents will begin moving in in July, according to Ali Burnham, Optima Inc.’s marketing director.

Optima Verdana is Wilmette’s tallest residential building west of Sheridan Road, and of its 100 units, 35 are two-bedroom, 35 are three-bedroom and 30 are one-bedroom apartments.

They range from 660 (1-bed) to 2,256 square feet (3-bedroom) at $2,956 to more than $12,000 (2 penthouse units, already rented) per month. Multiple variations of apartments are available within each bedroom level. Burnham said that a third of the units are already leased, leaving 77 available to prospective renters beginning on May 17.

As a condition of the project’s approval, Optima Inc. agreed to pay the Village of Wilmette $1.6 million to support affordable-housing initiatives villagewide — a payment that was executed in the fall of 2021. The funds, according to previous Record reporting, were granted to Community Partners for Affordable Housing, which believes it can turn the support into at least 15 affordable units.

Other stipulations for approval, which occurred in October 2020, included Optima’s funding of certain streetscape improvements, and its inclusion of a public plaza and public parking on site of Optima Verdana. Burnham said 29 public spaces are available near the entrance of the development’s parking garage, which also features two levels of underground tenant parking.

The building features a signature glass exterior — which uses bird-friendly, patterned glass — that will be complemented with vertical greenery as evergreen plants such as boxwoods, junipers, winter creepers and more grow into place.

Inside, Optima Verdana’s first floor includes a host of resident amenities, such as a pickleball/basketball court, golf simulator, yoga studio, fitness center, business center, dog park, and interior and exterior lounges. A skydeck — top-floor pool, spa, bocce court, herb garden and more — will be open by August, Burnham said.

Most in-unit amenities, from stoves to outdoor grills, at Optima Verdana run on electricity. The outdoor firepit available in many units is the only gas appliance, she said.

Burnham said first-floor units will be ready for residents in July, and move-in access on subsequent floors will be available in three-week increments.

“We are very excited to open Optima Verdana this week,” said David Hovey Jr., Optima Inc.’s president, in a statement. “… We appreciate the positive feedback we already are receiving from members of the community about Optima Verdana’s design. We thank the Village trustees and staff for their vision and collaboration to bring this project to fruition.”

Optima Inc. boasts three residential complexes in Chicago and another five in Arizona, and also developed projects in Highland Park, Evanston and Skokie.

The Wilmette development also has 8,000 square feet of first-floor commercial space, which Burnham said will be occupied by one or two businesses. She said Optima is seeking a “destination restaurant” or small-item market, a strategy that aligns with the Village of Wilmette’s for the Village Center district.

Read more on The Record North Shore

Visit Optima Verdana for more details

Optima, Inc. broke ground on the six-story, 100-unit Optima Verdana luxury apartment building in downtown Wilmette, IL, on Chicago’s North Shore. The development is the firm’s second new Chicago-area retail and luxury apartment building to break ground in the past year, along with the 198-unit Optima Lakeview scheduled for completion in spring 2022. Optima Verdana plans open to residents in spring 2023.

Located at the corner of Central Avenue and Green Bay Road, Optima Verdana will feature one-, two- and three-bedroom residences with an average size of 1,507 square feet. The boutique building will also feature 8,000 square feet of street-level retail.

Befitting its name, inspired by the word “verdure” meaning lush, green vegetation, Optima Verdana marks the Chicago-area debut of the latest evolution of Optima’s signature vertical landscaping system. Developed at Optima’s Arizona projects, the Verdana landscaping system has been modified to accommodate the Midwest’s four seasons.

On time to meet the increase in demand for elevated apartment living on Chicago’s North Shore, design-driven real estate development firm Optima, Inc. announced the opening of its on-site leasing gallery at Optima Verdana®, the company’s latest luxury rental community located in Downtown Wilmette, Illinois. Optima Verdana®’s leasing gallery at 1210 Central Ave. is now open for private appointments. The community will welcome its first residents in July, and is already over 30% leased before opening its doors to walk-ins and prospective residents on May 17.

Optima Verdana® comprises 100 thoughtfully designed, one-, two-, three-bedroom and penthouse residences ranging in size from 660 to 2,790 square feet with monthly rents ranging from $2,950 to nearly $12,000. Designed by Optima® CEO and Founder David Hovey Sr., FAIA, the building boasts striking contemporary design, extensive amenities and abundant greenery, which sets the property apart from anything else offered on the North Shore.

Offered in two distinctive finish packages, the residences feature floor-to-ceiling windows outfitted with roller shades; 10-foot luxury plank flooring throughout; chef-inspired kitchens with Fisher & Paykel appliances and Kohler fixtures; custom built-in storage throughout; wine fridges; spacious pantries; and bathrooms with free-standing soaking tubs and separate water closets across most floor plans. Private residential terraces available in most homes range from 65 to 931 square feet in size and include firepits and quick-heating electric grills in select residences.

The elevated living experience at Optima Verdana extends beyond the design and finishes of this community to include an extraordinary service experience for residents. All residents will enjoy the experience of Optima’s complimentary concierge program, Optimized Service®, which includes white-glove, in-home package delivery, grocery delivery and plant watering. Residents can also easily schedule on-demand services through the Optima Verdana® mobile app, such as housekeeping, pet care, virtual personal assistant, fitness classes, private chef, on-site massage service and more. In addition, Optima Connect® enhances residents’ lives by offering exclusive discounts for area restaurants and retailers.

Optima Verdana® also raises the bar when it comes to green features and biophilic thinking. The community gets its name from “verdure” (meaning lush green vegetation) and incorporates the latest sustainable technology such as green concrete and bird-friendly glass. Optima Verdana® will achieve Two Green Globes certification through the use of sustainable VRF heating and cooling systems, eco-friendly induction cooktops, and outdoor electric grills to further reduce gas emissions. Optima Verdana® features the Chicago-region debut of Optima®’s proprietary exterior vertical landscaping system. Pioneered at the firm’s Arizona projects, the self-contained irrigation and drainage system has been modified to suit Chicago’s four-season climate and remain green year-round. In addition to providing residents with a connection to nature, the plantings promote evaporative cooling, re-oxygenate the air, reduce dust and smog levels, decrease ambient noise and detain stormwater.

Indoor amenities include a 24-hour front door person; pickleball/basketball court; fitness center with cardio and strength-training equipment, plus free weights with complimentary towel service; a yoga room; massage room; golf simulator and sports lounge; kids’ playroom; pet park and spa; library lounge; and multiple work-from-home spaces, including conference rooms and a business center. Fitness programming will include yoga and mindfulness, Pilates, high-intensity interval training classes, water aerobics and personal training.

A seventh-floor sky deck, which will open this summer, offers a range of health and wellness amenities including a heated, glass-enclosed lap pool and spa designed for year-round use with retractable glass walls that open onto the sundeck; complimentary pool towel service; a sauna; barbecue grills; two herb gardens; a bocce court; firepits and lounge areas; a party room with chef’s kitchen; residents’ club; and game room.

Located across Green Bay Road from the Wilmette Metra commuter train station, Optima Verdana® is ideally positioned for North Shore commuters, featuring 176 parking spaces, as well as electric vehicle charging stations.

A publicly accessible plaza at the southeast corner of Optima Verdana® is home to a recently installed eight-foot original sculpture by David Hovey Sr. titled Curves and Voids. Hovey’s art has been featured prominently at Optima®’s communities since he began working with steel to create sculptural pieces that complement Optima®’s architectural spaces.

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Visit Optima Verdana for more details

Design-driven real estate development firm Optima, Inc. announced today its own construction team broke ground on the six-story, 100-unit Optima Verdana luxury apartment building in downtown Wilmette, Ill., on Chicago’s North Shore. The development is the firm’s second new Chicago-area retail and luxury apartment building to break ground in the last year – the 198-unit Optima Lakeview is scheduled for completion in spring 2022. Optima Verdana plans to welcome its first residents in spring 2023.

Located at the corner of Central Avenue and Green Bay Road, Optima Verdana will bring a new level of rental luxury to the North Shore. Featuring one-, two- and three-bedroom residences with an average size of 1,507 square feet, the boutique building will also feature 8,000 square feet of street-level retail.

True to its name, which is inspired by the word “verdure” meaning lush, green vegetation, Optima Verdana marks the Chicago-area debut of the latest evolution of Optima’s signature vertical landscaping system. Developed at Optima’s Arizona projects, the Verdana landscaping system has been modified to accommodate the Midwest’s four seasons. The plantings on all of Verdana’s private resident terraces will stay green year-round and be maintained by Optima’s property management team. The self-containing irrigation and drainage system promotes evaporative cooling, re-oxygenates the air, reduces dust and smog levels, decreases ambient noise and detains stormwater.

“In designing Optima Verdana, we’ve prioritized biophilic elements in a way that puts outdoor space, natural light and fresh air at the center of residents’ day-to-day lives – from our signature vertical landscaping system to spacious terraces and a landscaped courtyard,” said David Hovey Sr., FAIA, CEO of Optima, Inc. “Residents can not only immerse themselves in the outdoors from their private terrace space, but also reap benefits from its abundant greenery, which offers added privacy and an increased aesthetic value. We’ve even enhanced our commitment to sustainability by reducing our use of gas, opting for electric grills on terraces and induction cooktops in kitchens.”

Hovey noted Optima Verdana represents a 360-degree approach to sustainability. Optima Verdana will be constructed to achieve two Green Globes through the Green Globes® Building Certification, which is an alternative to LEED® certification that promotes lower energy and water bills, reduced emissions, optimized health and wellness benefits for residents, and minimizes waste. Green construction practices Optima will use to build Verdana include green concrete for the superstructure and a super energy efficient VRF heating and cooling system.

The building’s lushly landscaped private terraces will average 193 square feet, with the largest totaling nearly 1,000 square feet. In addition to enjoying a quick-heating electric grill on their terrace, residents in select homes will also have private firepits.

Sweeping views will be available on the building’s common rooftop sky deck where a range of health and wellness amenities will await residents, including: a heated, glass-enclosed lap pool with retractable glass walls that open onto the sundeck; complimentary pool towel service; a spa and sauna; barbecues; firepits and lounge areas; a party room with chef’s kitchen; residents’ club; two game rooms; and three distinct outdoor terraces, including the sundeck, garden lounge and dining area, designed for year-round use.

Indoor amenities will include a fitness center with cardio and strength-training equipment, including free weights and complimentary towel service; yoga room; Pilates studio and massage room; dual basketball/pickleball court; golf simulator and sports lounge with large screen TVs; children’s play area; pet park and spa; library lounge; and multiple work-from-home spaces, including conference rooms and a business center. Wi-Fi will run throughout amenity spaces and residents can choose from multiple data providers. Fitness programming will include yoga and meditation, Pilates, high-intensity interval training (HIIT) classes, water aerobics and personal training.

Read more on RE Journals

Optima, Inc. has opened its on-site leasing gallery at Optima Verdana, the company’s latest luxury rental community located in downtown Wilmette, IL on Chicago’s North Shore. The community will open to residents in July, and is already more than 30% leased before opening its doors to walk-ins and prospective residents on May 17.

Designed by Optima CEO and founder David Hovey Sr., Optima Verdana comprises 100 one-, two- and three-bedroom and penthouse residences with monthly rents ranging from $2,950 to nearly $12,000.

“There is a major trend at play with those looking to downsize from their single-family homes in favor of the luxury and convenience of the Optima rental lifestyle,” said Hovey. “We’re excited to be able to offer prospective residents a chance to enjoy the community’s unmatched location, services and amenities, and to be able to meet the pent-up demand for large, well-appointed apartment homes.”

Meet industry experts at the upcoming Connect Midwest: Multifamily and Adaptive Reuse Trends, which takes place June 13, 2023 at the W Chicago City Center Hotel. Click here for more information and to register.

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Visit Optima Verdana for more details

Construction on the 109-unit luxury apartment building is expected to be complete in mid-2023.

Village trustees unanimously approved final plans for a seven-story mixed-use development at the northwest corner of Central Avenue and Green Bay Road. The current site of an International Bank of Chicago branch is located across the street from the downtown Wilmette train station.