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.
Read more on Chicago Construction News