For Immediate Release
For more information:
Tricia Van Horn, 312/943-2100
Larry Schaffel, 312/642-8869

Grand Plaza Apartments in River North Cited for Excellence

July 2004

CHICAGO—Luxury apartment hunters seeking to rent in a brand new, award-winning downtown Chicago high-rise should consider the 764-unit Grand Plaza, a two-tower high-rise apartment development at 540 N. State St. in the hot River North neighborhood. Grand Plaza, managed by Near North Properties, Inc., recently won a coveted 2004 Paragon Award from the National Apartment Association (NAA) for maintaining an exceptional property. “Grand Plaza is one of the Windy City’s truly exceptional, new high-rise rental developments and a deserving winner,” said Robin Loewenberg Berger, vice president of Near North Properties, which is co-developer of the towers along with Magellan Development Group, U.S. Equities and Cataldo/Marovitz Group.

Berger accepted the Paragon Award at the 2004 National Apartment Association Education Conference & Exposition, June 24-26, in Las Vegas. NAA is a federation of 164 state and local affiliates, comprised of more than 30,000 multifamily housing companies representing more than 5 million apartments throughout the United States and Canada. Grand Plaza, designed by the architectural firm of Loewenberg + Associates, was named “Development of the Year” in February of 2004 by the Greater North Michigan Avenue Association. In late 2003, Grand Plaza also was a major winner at the 11th annual Chicagoland Apartment Marketing and Management Excellence Awards, commonly known at the CAMME Awards sponsored by the 300-member Chicagoland Apartment Association which represents 135,000 rental apartment units in the six-county area. Grand Plaza won seven CAMME awards for best community amenities, best convertible model, best 1-bedroom model, best 2-bedroom model, best 2-bedroom floor plan, best 3-bedroom floor plan, best apartment community direct mail, and best newsletter.

Grand Plaza’s monthly rents range from $1,395 to $6,607 for convertibles, 1-bedroom, 2-bedroom layouts and 2-bedroom and 3-bedroom bi-level duplex penthouses with fireplace and dramatic 2-story living room. Apartments range from 690 to 2,570 square feet. Unique duplex penthouses included dramatic 2-story living rooms featuring 20-foot windows overlooking the city skyline and the lake, fireplaces, granite countertops in kitchen and bath, maple cabinetry, and stainless-steel appliances. Bi-level duplex penthouses are available for a monthly rental ranging from $5,192 to $6,607. The Grand Plaza encompasses a 37-story building and a 56-story building. All apartments feature condo-quality granite island kitchens, in-unit washer and dryer, and high-speed Internet access. Building amenities at Grand Plaza include a signature grocery store called Grand Plaza Market by Jewel-Osco, a 50,000-square-foot private club floor that includes a state-of-the-art fitness center, an outdoor running track, indoor basketball count, golf putting greens, swimming pool, sundeck and winter garden.

The building also features a party room with catering kitchen, a business center, media and billiards room, furnished corporate apartments, cybercafe, library with fireplace and wireless Internet access throughout the club floor. For more information on apartment rentals at Grand Plaza, please call Near North Properties on-site management office at 312-644-7263.

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