New Home Notebook

Each night from 6:30 to 9 pm on May 1, 2 and 3, guests will be able to tour all seven K2 apartment models, which range from a bachelor studio to a two-bedroom urban retreat. The K2 Designer Showcase will feature models from Chicago designers Morgante Wilson Architects, Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill, Design for a Cure and Brook Furniture Rental.

Four of the models are “pop-ups” that will be taken down immediately following the free event, which is open to the public. Parking is available at K2 Apartments, 365 N Halsted St in the Fulton River District.

I stopped by yesterday for a walk through the 2-bedroom model, by Morgante Wilson. The model has a very sophisticated look punctuated by bold colors and large art works.

The southeast corner model would serve well as either a year-round residence or an in-town apartment. The master bath is unusually large for a rental apartment and features a double-bowl vanity and a stall shower as well as a tub.

One of the many interesting pieces in the unit is a wall-unit with a desk from Home Element that opens easily into a queen-size bed, enabling the second bedroom to function as an office that accommodates the occasional guest.

Residences at K2 include studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments. Interiors feature luxury finishes such as nine-foot ceilings, stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, plank flooring and Grohe fixtures. Rents range from $1,650 for a studio to $6,500 for a three-bedroom, three-bath penthouse.

Guests who attend the event and sign a lease within 90 days will be able to designate a portion of their lease payments as a donation to one of the following charities: PAWS, Anne & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, Today’s Chicago Woman Foundation, or Design for a Cure.

NOTE: K2 is one of YoChicago’s sponsors.

An open house for rental service agents at Astoria Tower, a newer rental high-rise in the South Loop, showcased its new business center and theater and the rest of its extensive amenities.

In the video four rental agents chat about what they like best about Astoria Tower’s location, amenities and its studio, 1- and 2-bedroom apartments.

Meet Karen and Jim, the proud owner of a 45th floor condo unit at 235 Van Buren, and hear what they have to say about the building and the neighborhood.

After close to three decades of living  in the suburbs, Karen and Jim longed for that urban experience and wanted a place of their own for those nights after late dinners or a show in downtown Chicago.

They found theirs in 235 Van Buren, at the edge of the Loop. They liked the vibrancy of River North but saw 235 Van Buren as a quieter location with great access to the sports venues they visited frequently.

Karen and Jim spend most weekends at their second home in the city. They’re looking forward to becoming empty nesters, selling their suburban home, and splitting their time between 235 Van Buren and New Mexico or Arizona.

Tentatively named Wacker Gateway Park, the Loop’s long-awaited park located immediately adjacent to 235 Van Buren appears to be nearing the final stages of construction. Benches and antique street lamps have been installed, and walkways partially paved. Along the perimeter, trees have been planted, with various other plantings in place or on-site as well. Another section of the park, identical in size to the one pictured above, is on the south side of Congress Parkway.

Also nearing completion is the surprisingly large new dog park southwest of 235 Van Buren. In the interim, the building’s dog owners have been frequenting the main park.

Designed by Ralph Johnson, 235 Van Buren is a new award-winning high-rise condo building. One-bedroom units in the building start at $198,900, 2-bedroom units at $275,900, and penthouses at $339,900.

Echelon at K Station in Chicago’s Fulton River District offers studio, one bedroom and two bedroom apartment homes that comes complete with stainless steel appliances, granite counter tops, in unit washer and dryer, floor-to-ceiling windows, balconies, and garbage disposal.

Throughout the year, the residents of  Echelon at K Station can enjoy a variety of social outings such as the three most recent events: an after-work happy hour at Bull & Bear, a doggie dip the day before the pool closed for the season, and Halloween breakfast treats in Echelon’s lobby.

Within walking distance from this luxury apartment tower is Jewel-Osco grocery, the Park at K Station, East Bank Club, Ogilvie Transportation Center, the CTA Green, Blue and Pink train lines. Many restaurants, shopping, art galleries and entertainment options are also close by.

Located at the edge of Chicago’s Loop, it’s hard to imagine a location with more convenient transportation options than the new Ralph Johnson-designed condo, 235 Van Buren .

All of the Loop is within walking or biking distance, and the El and subway lines are around the corner, just a few short blocks away, as are Union Station and the Ogilvie Transportation Center for suburban rail connections.

The reconstruction of the Congress / Wacker interchange is great for those who are car-oriented, which has afforded incredibly easy access to Chicago’s expressway grid from 235 Van Buren.

Or, for a fun commute, hop a water taxi from Union Station to Michigan Avenue from May through September.

A closer look at these options in available in this sponsored video.

A new full-amenity condo high-rise in Chicago’s South Loop, Astoria Tower hosts a series of events for its residents throughout the year.

When asked what they like best about Astoria Tower, the most common resident response was the convenience of the location.

Meet some of the residents at a party and barbecue on Astoria Tower’s sprawling terraces, and hear what else they love about living in the building and South Loop neighborhood.

Events such as ‘Movie In The Park’ is an outstanding way to reach out and get acquainted with your local apartment community. This Movie At The Park event was held at the park at K Station in Chicago’s Fulton River District, a lively community packed with restaurants, nightlife and neighborhood activities.

One of the sponsors of this event is Echelon at K Station, a luxury rental high-rise that is located adjacent to the park.

Echelon at K Station offers studio, one bedroom and two bedroom apartment homes. Each apartment features elegant living with top quality finishes, in unit washer and dryer, floor-to-ceiling windows and balconies.

Visit KStationChicago.com for more information.

The change of ownership of  Echelon at K Station has meant a makeover and a slew of expanded and revamped amenities in the development. A sleeker lobby and lounge areas on the inside.  Expanded seating, cabanas and firepit augment the pool. New grills are slated for an outdoor patio. Take the above video tour to see more.

In the neighborhood, there are new restaurants and nightlife options. A deluxe Jewel-Osco is across the street and the CTA Blue line is only two short blocks away. Adjacent to Echelon, the park hosts Movies in the Parks in the summer.

Located at 2550 W Huron St and facing south on Smith Park, this new 4,000 square foot, 4-5 bedroom, 3 ½ bath, contemporary single-family home boasts a sprawling first floor that is open from front to back, punctuated by an open, floating stainless steel staircase. The second floor features a master suite unlike anything you’ve seen, as the large master bedroom has natural woods and a half-wall of translucent designer glass looking into a huge master bath.

One of Chicago’s little-known neighborhoods, Smith Park is anchored by a park of the same name that features a pool, field house with an indoor basketball court and multi-purpose rooms, tennis courts, baseball diamonds and newer playground.

Izabela Sloma of Sergio & Banks is our tour guide in this sponsored video.

Chicago’s Loop is a feast of landmarks. Some standing as they always have, others reincarnated. The Randolph Tower City Apartments is probably better known as the former Steuben Club Building. Its near-riotous terra cotta ornamentation stands out. But from the inside the building’s lobby is another wow.

Take the video tour of some one and two bedroom units with Kim Ashley of Brook Furniture Rental and Liz Pietka of Randolph Tower. Brook offers a Ready to Rent program at Randolph Tower, providing renters furnished units with different selections.

Check out the lobby’s bold colors, retro private club details and arresting shapes in the tour’s intro.

For buyers looking to hedge their bets on condo ownership and assure themselves that they’ve chosen the right building and location, the recently-launched rent-to-own program at 235 Van Buren has proved popular.

Renters can become buyers at any point during their 12-month lease and receive 30% of the rent they’ve paid as a credit toward closing costs, up to 3% of the purchase price of their unit. You can meet some of the buyers, and hear them discuss their decision to purchase, at the video page for 235 Van Buren.

In this sponsored video, January Sambell  of CMK Realty discusses the program and the wide array of dining options in the area.

With the building under new ownership, and having been renamed the Park Michigan to reflect its new look, the sleek, international-style apartment tower at 1212 South Michigan Ave in the South Loop is nearing the completion of a makeover.

Park Michigan residents will have walkable access to Chicago’s cultural institutions, Soldier Field and a wide variety of dining and nightlife options, as well as Grant Park at their front door and a Jewel-Osco, Trader Joe’s, Starbucks, Target and an El stop to the rear.

Join us for a look at one of the spacious, light-filled model apartments and the unbroken views of Lake Michigan to the east and Chicago’s great cityscape to the west in this sponsored video.

Sergio & Banks’ Melissa Govedarica and Tina Culver takes us on a video tour of 2145 W Barry, a newly-built 5 bedroom home located south of Roscoe Village and just a half block from Hamlin Park.

This 5-bedroom, 3 ½ bath home offers large and beautifully detailed rooms with high ceilings and a warm, contemporary feel.  Soaring vaulted ceilings can also be found at the bedroom level, including those in the sprawling master bath.

The home is on a quite tree-lined street, close to Roscoe Village’s many offerings. The neighborhood holds many festivals during the summer for the enjoyment of the entire family.

Location, views, in-unit and common area amenities and services are all part of the compelling package at the residences at Echelon at K Station. Apartments at Echelon contain thoughtful layouts with excellent separation of living spaces, balconies, floor-to-ceiling windows, in-unit washers and dryers, stainless steel appliances, granite countertops and more.

Echelon also features a large pool and sun deck, fully-equipped fitness room, guest suites, stylish lounge areas, business center and party rooms, as well as easy access to the Kennedy Expressway, the CTA Blue Line, the Grand Avenue CTA bus and Metra’s Ogilvie Transportation Center.

From the Jefferson Tap, a popular neighborhood hangout, to the glitzy Carnivale, Echelon’s Fulton River District location has a wide range of dining options nearby. A Jewel-Osco that rivals the selection of a Whole Foods is also across thre street, as well as an adjacent park with dog run.

Did we mention the views? The views alone are worth a visit to Echelon.

Please join us for a brief overview of Echelon at K Station in the above video.

The real estate axiom says location is everything. But when making the sale, presentation is all. Model homes, model condos or apartment guest suites need staging – furniture and décor to illustrate the possibilities. Subject of the above video in Chicago’s South Loop, the new Lofts at Roosevelt Collection is an example of targeted, budgeted and quick home staging.

Take the tour with home staging experts Kim Ashley of Brook Furniture Rental and The Home Stage Chicago‘s Steffanie Danby as they explain their craft.

Take a tour of 44 East Elm Street, a historic Gold Coast row house, with Koenig & Strey‘s Jeani Jerntedt. Originally built in 1888, this home has been completely renewed with a rich, modern interior and tastefully distinct floor plan as well as built-in automation and smart-home technology.

The home is located on a beautiful tree-lined street just east of State Street’s many amenities and within walking distance of Oak Street Beach and Michigan Avenue.

A striking new 46-story condominium building designed by Ralph Johnson in the Loop, 235 Van Buren, is launching a rent-to-own program on selected units.

One-bedrooms are to start at just over $1,500 per month, while 2-bedroom, 2-bath units will start at around $2,000 a month. Heat, air-conditioning and gas are all included in the rent.

Renters who execute an option to buy by the end of their 12-month lease will have up to 30% of their rent – not to exceed 3% of their purchase price – credited toward closing costs.

“It’s a great opportunity for people who just need a little more time to save, or fix their credit, or just see if they like living in the Loop,” noted January Sambell of CMK Realty.

235 Van Buren is positioned as a low-amenity building to keep costs low for owners and renters who don’t desire the common-area amenities, or would just prefer to join one of the nearby full-service health clubs. That strategy allows renters to move into a 2-bedroom, 2-bath unit for less than renting a 1-bedroom in some amenity-rich Loop buildings.

235 Van Buren doesn’t skimp, however, on building services or in-unit amenities. Residents enjoy 24-hour door staff, on-site management, multiple bicycle storage rooms, I-GO car service, secured-entry parking and a new convenience store, the second location of the popular South Loop Market. The new Wacker Gateway Park adjacent to the building is nearing completion.

The units have high-style finishes, in-unit washers and dryers, office nooks, private balconies, 10-foot ceilings and expansive views.

235 Van Buren provides residents a walk-to-work location, and extremely convenient access to Chicago’s public transit and expressway grids.

Take a tour of some of the available models at this YouTube playlist, and meet some of the buyers at 235 Van Buren in this series of videos.

YoChicago.com recently sat down with Zev Salomon, the project manager for Belgravia Group‘s CA23 to chat about the Phase II.

After successfully selling through Phase 1, Zev and his team were able to commence  work on Phase II, based on the popularity of of CA23′s location, its high-end finishes, and open floor plans.  The 24-unit West Loop project was able to begin construction well ahead of its anticipated schedule.

With Phase I units all but sold, the new home development CA 23 is moving forward with Phase II. Belgravia Group plans to break ground on Phase II, on Carpenter St in Chicago’s West Loop, by the end of 2011. Several Phase II units are already under contract. Hear what two satisifed Belgravia buyers have to say about the project in the above video.

CA 23’s Phase II consists of twenty-four 3-bedroom, 3-bath, appx 1,900 square foot single-floor units with high ceilings. These new condominiums have larger front and rear balconies than the Phase I units, and penthouses will have private roof decks. Pre-construction prices range from $499,900 to $609,900.