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Located adjacent to Optima Verdana on Green Bay Road, this site is specifically identified as a “redevelopment opportunity site” in the Wilmette Village Center Master Plan. Our proposal for Optima Lumina has undergone six (6) significant design revisions since September 2023. It is comprised of approximately 128 luxury one, two, and three-bedroom condominium residences* and an additional 5,576 GSF of destination commercial space. The configuration of the Optima Lumina exterior facades has been redesigned to distill the overall massing by incorporating three (3) distinct terracotta vertical elements separated by recesses and terraces. These solid vertical terracotta elements are integrated into the building facade and extend past the roof slab acting as guardrails for the terraces above also further differentiating it from Optima Verdana. The connection of Lumina to Verdana along the alley has been removed and Optima Lumina is now completely disconnected from Optima Verdana. The vibrant sustainable architecture incorporates terracotta, a building material that has been used for over a century, that covers 63% of the exterior facade. The project is designed to provide high quality housing and commercial space that will further enhance the vitality of the center of the Village of Wilmette.

The building is designed with a 75′-0″ wide and 92′-0″ public plaza at grade level between Verdana and Lumina creating a combined open space of approximately 9,111 SF. This open space consists of an approximately 6,275 SF open plaza with public art and landscaping, with the remainder dedicated to private outdoor dining and landscaping for high-end destination retail and commercial along Green Bay Road. Additionally there is private outdoor dining and public landscaping at the corner of Green Bay Road and Washington Avenue with the relocation of the existing Starbucks. The atmosphere created by the architecture, landscaping, and open space will ensure pleasant surroundings at the plaza to engage the community. The enhancement of the streetscape and the addition of the plaza have been designed to align with the Village Center Master Plan goals. Above the plaza, 63′-0″ wide openings between facing terraces and a 40′-0″ opening between the buildings creates additional separation.

Lumina will include approximately 30,000 sf of amenity space located at grade level and on the roof. The roof is designed with a sky deck, glass-enclosed heated pool, spa, cold plunge, year-round steam room & sauna, outdoor firepits, barbecues, seating areas, perimeter plantings and sheltering arbors, a residents’ club and party room with chef’s kitchen, games, bocce court, conference rooms, and business center. Level 1 features a spacious lobby, library lounge, as well as a management office. A fitness center that looks out over the courtyard will include an indoor pickleball/basketball court, strength and aerobic training equipment, a yoga studio, a Pilates studio, golf simulator and sports lounge. A massage room, kids’ playroom, and pet spa will round out the amenities at grade level.

The immediate adjacency of the site of Optima Verdana enables us to efficiently and logically incorporate the design and also infrastructure established in the existing Optima Verdana. The ability to share physical facilities such as access to the underground garage creates an efficiency in the development of the project. Further, shared branding and operations by Optima will deliver the same elevated experience within the Village of Wilmette.

“Optima Lumina is now designed as a unique stand alone building adjacent to Optima Verdana. The use of terracotta, a traditional building material, provides a rich natural color and is incorporated into the structure of the building with a state of the art window wall system. Optima Lumina is designed to step back on levels four
and five at the corner of Green Bay Road and Washington Avenue to create a tapering effect on the north side of the building and will appear to have a continuous roofline at level five with levels six and seven set back out of sight. The recessed balconies give residents fresh air and open space. Also included at Optima Lumina, is our
Signature Vertical Landscaping System. The open plaza between the two buildings is meant to be a public punctuation point that will provide the public with a sheltered courtyard and enliven the streetscape by drawing customers to the provided retail.” – David Hovey, Sr. FAIA and David C. Hovey, Jr., AIA

With corporate offices in Glencoe and Scottsdale, Optima has a long history of developing in Wilmette beginning with 1618 Sheridan Rd. in 1991, Optima Center Wilmette in 1997, and Lake Courts in 1998, and most recently Optima Verdana.

*Optima Lumina is now intended to be a Condominium Development. Optima reserves the right to build condominiums or apartments allowing for flexibility depending on market conditions.