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Optima, Inc. tops off Optima Verdana® luxury apartment community on Chicago’s North Shore

Design-driven real estate development firm Optima, Inc. announced its construction team has topped off Optima Verdana, a new luxury six-story, 100-unit rental apartment building at 1210 Central Ave. in Wilmette, Illinois, on Chicago’s North Shore. Pre-leasing will begin in early May with move-ins scheduled floor by floor, starting in July.

With the structure complete, Optima has installed the development’s striking glass exterior panels on the first, second and third floors, with façade work continuing to move up the building. Aligning with Optima’s commitment to sustainability and the natural environment, the glass on the first three floors is bird-friendly, featuring a subtle pattern to help birds avoid the glass. When the leasing gallery opens in April, a model apartment and the building’s first-floor amenities, including a pickleball/basketball court and sports lounge, will be completed and available for tours.

Optima Verdana will feature one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments with an average size of 1,499 square feet to give residents more flex space for ever-changing lifestyles. The boutique building will also feature 8,000 square feet of street-level retail space, as well as a publicly accessible plaza with an original eight-foot sculpture by Optima CEO and Co-Founder David Hovey Sr., FAIA.

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, which was developed in Arizona but modified to accommodate the Midwest’s four seasons. In what will be a first for the developer in the Chicago area, Optima Verdana plants 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.

From start to finish, Optima Verdana will embody a 360-degree approach to sustainability. The building is being constructed to achieve two Green Globes through the Green Globes® building certification, an alternative to LEED certification that promotes lower energy and water consumption, reduced emissions and optimized health and wellness benefits for residents, all while minimizing waste. In addition to being built with green concrete, Optima Verdana adheres to sustainable practices through its highly energy-efficient VRF heating and cooling mechanical system. Optima has also made the bold move of reducing gas emissions by outfitting residences with environmentally friendly and energy-efficient induction cooktops and outdoor electric grills.

The seventh-floor sky deck, which will open with the second floor in July, will offer sweeping views and a range of health and wellness amenities, including a heated, glass-enclosed lap pool designed for year-round use with retractable glass walls that open onto the sundeck; complimentary pool towel service; a spa and sauna; barbecues and herb gardens; bocce court; firepits and lounge areas; a party room with chef’s kitchen; residents’ club; and game room.

Indoor amenities will include a pickleball/basketball court; fitness center with cardio and strength-training equipment, plus free weights with complimentary towel service; a yoga room and massage room; 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 mindfulness, Pilates, high-intensity interval training (HIIT) classes, water aerobics and personal training.

 

Read more on REJournals

Visit Optima Verdana 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

This Week’s Chicago Deal Sheet

Optima Inc.’s construction team has topped off Optima Verdana, a six-story luxury apartment building at 1210 Central Ave. in Wilmette. Pre-leasing for the 100-unit building will begin in early May, with move-ins starting in July.

Read more on BISNOW

Visit Optima Verdana 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
Visit Optima Signature for more details

Outdoor Amenity Conversions

It’s not about the amenities offered, it’s about the camaraderie of residents, what the amenity represents to each resident and the community’s ability to adapt when needed.

Yes, amenity use has changed during the past three years and has shaped how some amenities will, or won’t, be utilized in the future.

Owners, management teams and others have needed to alter their operations and offerings based on resident lifestyles, which might have changed while living in the community.

These adjustments have resulted in more amenity choices for residents, some new to the community, and some to make better use of a former amenity space.

Growing in Popularity

Is it a craze or here to stay? Pickleball has taken the country by storm during recent years. The Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) announced in February pickleball was the fastest-growing sport in the U.S. for the third consecutive year.

The number of players has jumped significantly as well. There were 4.8 million players in the U.S. over the age of six, according to the 2022 SFIA report, but that has increased to 8.9 million in the latest report.

The number of courts is also increasing. According to USA Pickleball, there are more than 44,000 courts, up from more than 38,000 in 2021. Pickleball-registered facilities witnessed a jump as well, from 9,167 to 10,724.

“One amenity trend that is here to stay is pickleball,” says Josh Kassing, Senior Vice President at Mary Cook Associates, a national interior architecture and design firm. “It’s one of the few sports that nearly everyone can play and pick up quickly. Its popularity spans generations, so kids, parents and grandparents can compete together.”

While the excitement and hype are there, a pickleball court must make sense operationally. Community location is a determining factor as well. Raul Tamez, Sr. Director of Development based in Greystar’s Newport Beach, Calif., office, says pickleball is here to stay; however, “I can’t imagine adding pickleball courts because space is at such a premium in Southern California. I could see single-family rentals adding pickleball because it is more community oriented and accessible than tennis, but even in a single-family community the popping is very loud, so if you aren’t careful with acoustics then it can get very loud.”

Optima is meeting residents’ demand for entertainment—and started on the pickleball trend early. Dating back several years, Optima was stripping basketball courts to make room for pickleball courts. “Residents at Optima Lakeview [in Chicago] have created their own pickleball club and we’ve brought in pickleball instructors for seminars and scrimmages, as well,” says David Hovey Jr., AIA, President, COO and Principal Architect at Optima.

As fast as pickleball is growing in the U.S., not every community needs a new pickleball court. There are numerous factors that determine if a community has a pickleball court like any other amenity or community offering: It must be feasible.

“The goal is to make the amenity usable, instead of just a box to check on the website,” says Kassing. “People have found value in outdoor spaces but will only choose to use them if they are done well. You need to consider things like climate—temperature, sunlight and wind protection – as well as functionality and flexibility.”

Pickleball can be played indoors and outdoors, so weather is an extremely important item to consider. It must also make financial sense. While the sport is the fastest growing in the country, “we haven’t seen the growth of pickleball in all levels of apartments or communities. Its growth has been reserved for more affluent demographics, not budget-focused or affordable housing, certainly,” says Victor Body-Lawson FAIA, Founding Principal of Body Lawson Associates. He says that could change in the future.

Optima and Hovey Jr. noticed this trend formulating, so they designed an outdoor pickleball arena at 7190 Kierland in Scottsdale, Ariz. “Demand has been high for pickleball in Arizona, and we’re excited to host resident tournaments and build additional resident programming around this amenity. Optima residents can’t seem to get enough of pickleball – they’re thrilled to have easy access to this fun sport right in their own backyard.” But to combat the dry, summer heat, Optima also offers indoor pickleball courts in Scottsdale as well as at its Chicagoland communities: Optima Lakeview and the latest Optima Verdana, delivering in July 2023.

“Similar to tennis, it’s a significant amount of space that is devoted to a single very specific use,” says Brad Lutz, Managing Principal of Chicago and Multifamily/Residential Practice Leader for Baker Barrios. “This really bucks nearly all other amenity trends, which have a fair amount of emphasis on blurring the lines between spaces and also allowing flexibility between uses. Or at least easy convertibility to another use.”

Converting old, unused amenities doesn’t have to be a new trend in the industry. “Flexibility is the name of the game. The best return on investment is a space that can serve multiple functions,” says Lutz.

Keeping up with current amenity trends is an important way to avoid being placed in similar situations that can be seen today in the industry.

It’s not just about the court. Communities also feature amenities surrounding pickleball areas. Kassing says they are adding indoor viewing areas where residents can socialize between games as well as shuffleboard and similar multi-generational activities.

Multi-Use

One of the reasons communities and other businesses are making changes is because amenities aren’t always future-proof. The vision needed to avoid tennis courts currently being turned into pickleball courts was not readily available. But multifamily professionals are trying to not let that happen again.

While not necessarily future-proofing, industry professionals are making sure amenities can be multi-use. “The inclusion of pickleball courts in a community should be studied based on the geography and target audience,” says Grayson Silver, Managing Partner of Tampa and Mixed-Use and Student Housing Practice Leader for Baker Barrios. “Suburban area developments offer greater flexibility in land area without impacting traditional outdoor amenities. They can also be easily converted to other amenities should the development operations determine it is not being utilized as frequently as desired. In an urban setting, land is more valuable and ROI on amenities needs to be more carefully considered.”

The mixed- or multi-use aspect of pickleball courts gives them a better opportunity to stay long term.

“In general, the reintroduction of sports courts feels like it’s here to stay, particularly if a court can be multi-use, such as a squash court with a basketball hoop that can serve a wider array of residents,” says Alison Mills, Vice President of Design and Development at CRG. “Multi-use outdoor spaces are key. An outdoor lawn that is thoughtfully designed to accommodate yoga, outdoor fitness, lounging and games will have a much higher ROI than a single-use attraction. Outdoor co-working spaces are also highly sought after, as people continue to take their work home. We are also exploring a branded, property-specific bike-share or e-scooter fleet to provide to residents who want to get around easily and sustainably.”

It’s not just former tennis courts making the natural misnomer progression to pickleball courts. “We have clients integrating pickleball courts into existing parking lots, tennis courts and other outdoor areas using temporary systems, but no one is devoting permanent space to them. The trend seems to be to keep things flexible, and options open,” says Joshua Zinder, AIA, Managing Partner with JZA+D.

There’s a reason pickleball has caught on at such a rapid pace. “It’s a universal activity that evens the playing field, regardless of a player’s physicality or age,” says Lauren Werkiser, Design Director at Morgan Properties. The smaller court and the paddles rather than rackets are among the reasons. “We’ve been converting old tennis and basketball courts to pickleball courts for years, even prior to the pandemic. It’s nice to see a younger audience now embracing the game and all generations get to enjoy the sport together.”

 

Read more on National Apartment Association

Visit Optima Verdana for more details

This Week’s Chicago Deal Sheet

Optima will lead property management and leasing services at 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 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 had also assumed property management services at its Scottsdale, Arizona, rental communities, which contain more than 1,000 units.

Read the full feature on Bisnow

Visit Optima Signature for more details

Optima, Inc. announces opening of leasing gallery at Optima Verdana®, luxury rental community on Chicago’s North Shore

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.

 

Read more on REJournals

Visit Optima Verdana for more details

Optima Brings Property Management In-House at Three Chicago Rentals

Development firm Optima, Inc. will lead property management and leasing services at three Chicagoland Class A rental buildings – its 490-unit Optima Signature mixed-use development in downtown Chicago’s Streeterville neighborhood, the under-construction 198-unit Optima Lakeview in the North Side’s Lakeview neighborhood, and its upcoming 109-unit building in downtown Wilmette, IL, along the 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, AZ rental communities.

“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.

Read the full feature on Connect Media

Visit Optima Signature for more details

Optima Launches Leasing Gallery at North Shore Luxury Rentals

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.

 

Read more on ConnectCRE

Visit Optima Verdana for more details

The New Age of Amenities

For years, we’ve seen the race to reach renters often start with a building’s amenity package and the bigger is better mentality, whether it was a pool, a fitness center or, most recently, coworking space.

But living through a pandemic has given everyone a different perspective on amenities. It’s been interesting to see that the things we took for granted, like natural light and outdoor space, have become—and will continue to be—the most important amenities of all.

While many developments made connecting people and nature within built environments and communities a hallmark in recent years, what’s new in 2021 is a heightened demand for direct access to sunlight and fresh air that blends the outdoors and indoors in refreshing ways.

Going forward, we believe design will flow from a need to create environments where renters find inspiration in their natural surroundings while also benefiting from the tangible health benefits that natural light and outdoor space offer.

 

Read more on Multi-Housing News

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