Co-developers Fifield Cos. and Carroll Properties have announced the opening of E2, Evanston’s first uber-luxury apartment project. Located at Emerson Street and Maple Avenue, the 356-unit development also contains 12 rental townhouses.
“With the delivery of E2, we have created a new gateway to dynamic downtown Evanston and elevated luxury rental living on Chicago’s North Shore,” said Randy Fifield, vice chair and principal at Chicago-based Fifield Cos. “This building answers a strong demand in this market, giving suburban residents the best of what a sophisticated urban rental lifestyle has to offer.”
Designed by FitzGerald Associates Architects, E2 consists of two buildings: a 16-story tower at 1881 Oak Ave. and a 14-story tower at 1890 Maple Ave. in downtown Evanston. The two buildings are connected by a four-story structure that includes three floors of parking and a fourth-floor amenity deck. Evanston-based Morgante Wilson Architects is responsible for all common area interior design work at E2. The building also contains 4,000 square feet of ground-floor retail space.
Apartment tower residences range from 500 to 1,400 square feet and offer studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom layouts. Starting prices range from $1,550 for a studio to $3,700 for a three-bedroom unit. One-bedroom residences start at $1,700 and two-bedrooms start at $2,400.
The property also has 12 rental townhomes with private access from Emerson Street. The three-story E2 townhomes range in size from 1,750 to 1,875 square feet and have three bedrooms, 2½ baths, and a third-floor deck. Residents of the townhomes have complete access to the same building amenities as tower residents. Pricing for townhomes starts at $4,200.
“The sheer range of unit types will appeal to so many different renters, from young couples and graduate students to empty nesters and families, so E2 will be able to support a diverse, multigenerational demographic,” said Fifield.
Amenities at E2 are top flight and in line with Fifield Cos.’ luxury apartment developments in downtown Chicago. According to Fifield, no other rental project in Evanston contains the complete upscale package of amenities and finishes that E2 possesses. Units feature quartz countertops, plank floors, stainless steel appliances, in-unit laundry, oversized windows, high-end lighting and Grohe plumbing fixtures. The residences at E2 also appeal to the high-tech crowd, as each unit has a built-in Bluetooth audio system and electronic access control.
E2’s amenity deck offers a full-size basketball court, yoga studio, state-of-the-art fitness center, lounge area, party room with demonstration kitchen, theater, business center with conference room and flat-screen TV for presentations, coffee bar, and an outdoor pool and spa with cabanas and grilling stations. Biking enthusiasts will feel at home at E2 as well, with the development’s ample bicycle storage area and “bike kitchen,” which offers residents space as well as supplies for quick repairs.
“The outdoor pool area at E2 is the largest amenity space we have ever created in a residential development,” said Steve Fifield, chairman and CEO. “With each new project, we attempt to raise the bar as renters have come to expect the very best in amenities and unit quality. E2 does not disappoint.”
A business center complete with computer stations, office equipment and a conference room with a flat-screen TV for presentations is available to residents as well.
“E2 supports a true live, work and play environment,” said Randy Fifield. “Evanston is home to a lot of independent professionals, business owners and artists. At E2, they will be able to operate efficiently with our business resources. The proximity to public transportation and easy commute to Chicago make E2 a very convenient location for consultants who need access to clients quickly. Whether it is through residents using E2 for business purposes, or local businesses interacting with our residents and management staff to enhance their presence in Evanston, E2 will be a development that encourages the growth of commerce in the community.”
The developers will host a designer showcase at E2 on May 5-7 that will feature multiple model apartments fully furnished by area designers and stores. Potential participants could include Maze Home, Bardes Interiors, Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, Morgante Wilson, North Shore Staging, Ikea, World Market, Brook Furniture Rental and Court Furniture. This will be the first event of its kind in Evanston. Fifield Cos. also hosted a designer showcase in 2013 at its K2 apartment tower in Chicago, which drew more than 1,500 participants in three days.
Located in the heart of vibrant downtown Evanston, E2 is an extremely walkable location as residents have more than 67 restaurants, plenty of retail stores and a 12-screen movie theater within a few blocks of the building.
Public transportation offers residents convenient access to downtown Chicago, as the development is a two-block walk to the Foster stop on the CTA’s Purple Line and three blocks from the Davis Street transportation center with access to both the Metra Union Pacific/North Line and the CTA Purple Line.
“Evanston is an amazing community and now residents of the North Shore will finally have the chance to experience it on a more intimate level, allowing them to live and play in the downtown area,” said Robert King, president of Carroll Properties, Inc.
