All of the concrete construction on The Van Buren, a mixed-use residential tower at Van Buren Avenue and Halsted Street in Chicago has topped off, according to Loukas Development. Now that this development milestone has been achieved, leasing of the building’s 148 apartment units in the West Loop neighborhood will begin in mid-April.
“As the West Loop continues to attract top name office tenants, we’re seeing a strong demand for housing that can support the expanding employee base,” said Aristithis Loukas, managing director of Loukas Development. “The Van Buren was designed to fill a niche by delivering a unique, boutique residential experience that ties in with the revitalization occurring throughout the West Loop.”
Designed by Chicago-based bKL Architecture, the 12-story building will be a glass and white aluminum paneled structure that combines a classic loft warehouse-inspired design with dramatic, modernist architectural features. The transit-oriented development development is designed to attract both residential and retail tenants through its proximity to the Halsted-UIC Blue Line station and convenient access to Rush Medical District and University of Chicago. The building will have approximately 7,500 square feet of retail space available.
The Van Buren’s amenities include a rooftop pool and two large, outdoor gathering spaces. Equipped with grilling areas, there is a 4,000-square-foot outdoor entertaining space with a multi-purpose lawn area for sunrise yoga or afternoon bocce tournaments. The 12th floor will also have a rooftop deck with grilling stations, fire pits, pool cabanas, sun chairs and views of downtown. Indoor amenities on the 12th floor will include a demonstration kitchen, a community dining table, coffee bar style seating, a fireplace and lounge, private group work spaces and a fitness center with a separate studio for personalized classes. A 21,115-square-foot parking garage will be built with capacity for 65 vehicles.
Lendlease is acting as the general contractor while Loukas Development’s capital partner on the project is a limited liability company managed by Seattle-based Washington Capital Management, Inc., on behalf of its clients. The building will be fully enclosed in June and completed in fall 2018, with the first residential units ready for occupancy in the fall.
