Montessori school doubling space at Optima Signature in Chicago

The Guidepost Montessori at Magnificent Mile school is more than doubling in size to accommodate the addition of an elementary school at Optima Signature, a mixed-use development at 220 E. Illinois Street in Chicago’s Streeterville neighborhood. Optima, Inc., developer of the building, announced the school will lease an additional 14,000 square feet—the building’s last available retail space—with plans to open this fall to serve first through fifth grades.

“Since the school’s opening just over a year ago, many of the families living at Optima Signature—or who live or work in the surrounding neighborhood—have embraced the school’s convenience factor and its quality Montessori early childhood education program,” said David Hovey Sr., CEO of Optima, Inc. “Whether you want to grab breakfast or lunch, take your pet in for a check-up or you’re in need of an elementary school, the retail line-up at Optima Signature is dynamic and truly fills a niche in the growing Streeterville neighborhood to make the building a destination for people in the area.”

This is the property’s second commercial leasing announcement in as many months, following the lease-up of all 22 furnished office suites at Optima Signature. In addition to Guidepost Montessori, retail tenants include Egg Harbor Café, a restaurant specializing in breakfast, brunch and lunch; GoodVets Streeterville, a full-service veterinarian redefining pet care; RUNAWAY fitness, a run conditioning fitness studio and Bedazzled Nails & Spa.

Designed by award-winning architect, David Hovey Sr., FAIA, and completed in 2017, Optima Signature is a 57-story, 490-unit Class A, LEED Certified luxury rental development featuring 1.5 acres of amenity space. Optima Signature’s amenities include: resort-style indoor and outdoor heated swimming pools; cabanas and bars; a cutting-edge fitness center with saunas, steam rooms and WELLBEATS virtual workout studio; resident lounge with coffee bar; basketball, squash and bocce ball courts; golf simulator and putting green and outdoor terraces with lounge furnishings, fire pits and spas. Another floor has cardio and strength-training equipment, yoga studio, locker rooms with both steam and shower, indoor lap pool, and indoor children’s play area. Outdoor amenities include a 40-yard running track, dog park, children’s play area, whirlpool spa, cabanas, lounge seating, televisions, co-ed sauna and steam rooms, kitchen, grilling stations and dining areas.