Thoughtful foyers

Where I live in Chicago, foyers seem nonexistent, with the typical apartment or condo entry leading directly into a dining room or living space. The design is objectively terrible. As such, I’m thrilled to hear about a resurgence of foyers not just in homes, but also in apartments and condos.

Per Liz Brooks, vice president of sales and marketing for Belgravia Group in Chicago, “The foyer is often overlooked in condominium design, but it is one of the most important elements of a floor plan because it evokes a grand sense of arrival.”

Having frequently entered a friend’s home only to have the first impression be of their boyfriend playing Xbox, I understand the allure of a mindful entrance. Says Brooks, “Buyers, especially those opting for a condominium in lieu of a single-family home, appreciate having a dedicated entryway that allows for a more graceful, defined transition to the rest of the home.”

The added sophistication is appreciated by those living in multi-unit buildings that might lack this classic home feature. Says Arriz, “I think there is like a little bit more of a pause when you walk into an apartment, because people do like that it adds elegance.”

Award-winning interior design firm Est Est, based in Scottsdale, Arizona, uses its foyers to set the tone for highlighting the breathtaking landscape of the Southwest. This is especially evident in their work on the renowned Optima Kierland luxury apartments and condominiums.

Says Optima, Inc. president and principal architect David Hovey Jr., “Something unique about Optima is that we allow near-complete customization for our condo buyers, so residents of our for-sale communities can create a home that suits their individual needs and reflects their design preferences—with the foyer often the first focal point, many residents choose to make it their own.” Their foyers serve to set the stage for the following rooms, which then showcase the landscape of the Southwest.

Read the full feature on Apartment Therapy

Visit 7180 Optima Kierland for more details.