For Immediate Release
August 30, 2006
While its unique, rippling three-dimensional design distinguish it as one of the most striking architectural designs in Chicago, the views from the condominium homes at Aqua at Lakeshore East promise to be equally remarkable.
The 263 condominium homes in Chicago’s first high-rise specifically created to blend condominium residences, luxury rentals, deluxe hotel and retail spaces will rise from the 53rd to the 81st floor of the 82-story skyscraper.
Observes Joel Carlins, co-chief executive of Magellan Development Group, developer of the 28-acre mixed-use development where the Chicago River meets Lake Michigan, “Our lowest condo floor on the 53rd floor is as high, or higher, than most penthouse floors in the city. In that sense, every condominium at Aqua will have a penthouse view.”
Aqua’s studios, convertibles, and one-, two- and three-bedroom condominium residences in an array of 26 floor plans will command hypnotic, one-of-a-kind views that embrace Millennium and Grant parks, the city’s waterways and the Chicago skyline stretching to distant horizons.
Its dramatic design is produced by outdoor balconies and terraces that form unique, undulating contours of different sizes and shapes that change gradually from the lower to the higher part of the building.
This use of generous, non-linear terraces that gives each floor a unique shape that contrasts dramatically with the more angular shape of surrounding buildings and creates a more architecturally diverse community.
In addition to the undulating concrete balconies created by Architect Jeanne Gang, Aqua will include exceptional interior finishes and extraordinary amenities.
Resplendent finishes range from kitchens that feature Snaidero custom cabinetry, top-of-the-line stainless-steel appliances and sinks, granite countertops and backsplashes and imported stone flooring to decadent Italian marble baths with top-grade features to gracious master bedrooms with extra-large walk-in closets.
Residents will have access to more diverse amenities than any in Chicago or any major city, indoors and out. A distinctive 80,000-square-foot outdoor deck will feature luxury gardens, gazebos, pools and cabañas, hot tubs, a walking trail, fire pit and grills.
Indoors, 27,500-square-foot amenity floors will provide fitness facilities, indoor lap pool, a spa featuring hot tubs, sauna, steam and massage room, a private party suite with catering kitchen, coffee bar and lounge, media room, billiards and game area, business center, Internet café, library, skygarden and concierge services.
Aqua residences, ranging from 573 to 1,982 square feet, are priced from $360,000. In addition, a limited number of opulent penthouses are planned for several of the top floors of Aqua.
In addition to its luxurious condominium homes, Aqua will combine luxury rental residences on floors 19 through 52 with hotel rooms below with separate entrances and elevators. The building also will include more than 36,000 square feet of first and second floor retail that will connect to the underground pedway system.
Aqua is the seventh high-rise at Lakeshore East, projected to bring 4,950 new residences to downtown Chicago’s lakefront.
The recently completed The Regatta, a 44-story condominium tower, is sold-out and occupancy is getting under way. Sales are under way for the first cluster of 242 Parkhomes. The Chandler, a 35-story condominium tower, and The Tides, a 51-story luxury apartment tower, are under construction as is 340 on the Park, a 348-residence condominium property created in joint venture with LR Development Co.
The Lancaster, an award-winning 29-story residential condominium and The Shoreham, an award-winning 46-story luxury apartment tower, are complete. Convenient services soon to be installed on the lobby level of The Shoreham include a Fifth Third Bank facility and a Caffe RoM Italian style coffee shop. Treasure Island Foods is scheduled to open for business in 2007.
The magnificent, award-winning six-acre Park at the core of Lakeshore East boasts several outstanding features that include a marvelous children’s play park, separate dog park, great lawn, substantial varieties of botanical landscaping and gardens, a grand staircase, winding pathways and 10 cascading fountains that enhance the community and neighborhood.
The $4 billion development, inspired by traditional Chicago neighborhoods, received the 2002 National Honor Award for excellence in urban design from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) for its master plan.
Aqua’s sales center, 375 E. Wacker Drive, is open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. More information is available at www.LakeshoreEast.com/AQUA or by calling (312) 540-9891.
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