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The podiums of both towers share a unifying color of black ceramic frit glass with a dot pattern. Optima Signature expands the palette adding sections of red glass that wraps the podium as it extends south to define the east edge of the plaza. The tower has an architectural vocabulary that is geometrically simple and clean, using materials in a straightforward manner, in contrast to many of the historic buildings nearby. Above the podium, Optima Signature encases the residential levels in a clean and transparent green glass. The concrete structure of the tower is designed with a two-way cantilevered slab, allowing column-free views at the living rooms of the corner units. Deep slots are made in the curtainwall of the tower to announce the change of use from typical residential levels to amenity levels.

By sliding the podium of Optima Signature north and with the juxtaposition of its sister tower to the west and south edge of the property, a dynamic and expansive plaza was created, that is rich in its composition of masses and voids. Lush landscaping is featured in raised planters detailed in granite with integral benches. To add to the dynamic quality of this urban plaza, Kiwi, a sculpture designed by David Hovey, Sr. was commissioned to add visual movement and further dynamic quality to the space. 

Unique to the project is a stair constructed of ¼” steel plate with water-cut openings to create a lacey element that serves and connects two amenity levels. Constructed in three segments, two of the runs of the stair are suspended by steel bar-stock, while the middle run is essentially a bridge between.   The colors of the painted steel reflect this engineering aspect, using orange for the bridge section, and yellow for the suspended runs. The ¼” steel plate with openings acts as both the stringer and the railing of the stair, with clean connections between open treads and landings.

In this LEED® Certified project, energy conservation and CO2 emission reduction are achieved with a high-performance curtainwall system on each tower and extensive areas of green roofs

Features

The apartments range from convertibles to three-bedroom penthouses with built-in stainless-steel appliances, quartz or granite bathroom counters, Snaidero® cabinetry, and Balterio® wide-plank flooring.  Floors 9-36 are tower residences, 37-52 are the apex homes which feature upgraded finishes and exclusive access to Club 52. Club 52 is a private residence club and amenity floor with an outdoor kitchen, wine lockers,  community lounge, and an outdoor terrace.  

Optima Signature features 1.5 acres of dedicated amenity space, with the majority of the amenities spanning Levels 7 and 8. The amenities include resort-style indoor and outdoor heated swimming pools; cabanas and bars; a cutting-edge fitness center with locker rooms, indoor and outdoor saunas and steam rooms, cold plunge and rain shower; WELLBEATS™ virtual workout studio; basketball, squash and bocce ball courts; video fitness studio; golf simulator and putting green; and outdoor terrace with lounge furnishings, fire pits, herb garden and whirlpool, yoga studio, indoor lap pool, whirlpool spa; indoor and outdoor children’s play areas; 40-yard running track, dog park, lounge seating, televisions, two full kitchens, grilling stations and dining areas. Amenities on Level 20 include a residence lounge with coffee bar, library, movie theater, demonstration kitchen, business center, conference room and coworking space.

Construction

Originally scheduled for completion in February 2018, process efficiency accelerated the schedule to deliver in June 2017. Leveraging state-of-the-art building information modeling, the architectural team condensed the coordination of mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire protection systems. A “control room” on-site allowed for virtual walk-throughs of the building with subcontractors regularly to identify and resolve issues. Updated documents were produced on-site, reducing the process from days to hours.