Design-driven real estate firm Optima, Inc. has officially completed all spaces and begun welcoming resident move-ins at Optima Verdana®, its new luxury rental community in Downtown Wilmette, Illinois. Since opening its leasing gallery in May, Optima Verdana® has continued to see a surge in renters looking for a new North Shore apartment of its high standards, resulting in a swift 72% leased status, surpassing lease-up expectations.
Optima Verdana® offers 100 thoughtfully designed residences in one-, two- and three-bedroom layouts and penthouse configurations, spanning from 660 to 2,790 square feet. Monthly rents range from approximately $3,000 to nearly $12,000. Designed by Optima CEO and Founder David Hovey Sr., FAIA, and David Hovey Jr., AIA, the community stands apart from other rental offerings on the North Shore thanks to its contemporary design, comprehensive amenities, innovative sustainable features and abundant greenery.
Available in two distinctive finish packages, the residences at Optima Verdana® feature floor-to-ceiling windows with roller shades, 10-inch luxury wide-plank flooring, chef-inspired kitchens equipped with Fisher & Paykel appliances and Kohler fixtures, custom built-in storage solutions, wine fridges, spacious pantries, and bathrooms with free-standing soaking tubs and separate water closets in most floor plans. Private terraces or balconies, ranging from 65 to 931 square feet in size, feature Optima’s signature vertical landscaping system with plants that grow up and over the edge of each floor and also include quick-heating electric grills and fire pits in select residences.
Residents at Optima Verdana® can take full advantage of the building’s expansive seventh-floor sky deck, which offers sweeping treetop views of the North Shore’s skyline, including the Bahá’í Temple. The rooftop common area provides a range of indoor and outdoor amenities, such as a sun deck with multiple lounge chairs and dining areas; barbecues; herb gardens; a bocce court; fire pits; a residents club; a party room with chef’s kitchen, billiards and table tennis; a dedicated game room; a sauna; and a heated lap pool and spa with retractable glass walls designed for year-round use.
Additional indoor amenities can be found on the building’s first floor, including a 24-hour front door person, pickleball/basketball court, fitness center with cardio and strength-training equipment, yoga studio and massage rooms, a sports lounge, golf simulator, kids’ playroom, dog run and pet spa, library lounge with complimentary coffee service, and multiple work-from-home spaces including conference rooms and a business center. Residents can take advantage of fitness programming, ranging from yoga and Pilates classes to water aerobics and personal training services. Organized resident programming includes everything from a book club and Mah Jongg club to a running club and pickleball league.
The elevated living experience at Optima Verdana® extends beyond its design and finishes. The building also offers residents Optima’s complimentary concierge program, Optimized Service®, which includes white-glove, in-home package delivery, grocery delivery and plant watering. Residents can easily schedule on-demand services through the Optima Verdana® mobile app, such as housekeeping, pet care, virtual personal assistant, fitness classes, private chef services, on-site massages, and more. Additionally, Optima Connect® provides residents with exclusive discounts for area restaurants and retailers.
Optima Verdana® places a strong emphasis on sustainability and biophilic design through the use of sustainable technology such as green concrete and CRF heating and cooling systems. The community will achieve Two Green Globes certification through the use of bird-friendly glass, eco-friendly induction cooktops, and outdoor electric grills to further reduce gas emissions. Optima Verdana® features the Chicago-region debut of Optima’s proprietary exterior vertical landscaping system, which includes plants staying green year-round and promoting evaporative cooling, air purification, noise reduction and stormwater detention.
Located on the corner of Central Avenue and Green Bay Road, across from the Wilmette Metra commuter train station, Optima Verdana features 176 parking spaces, including electric vehicle charging stations. A publicly accessible plaza at the southeast corner of Optima Verdana is home to an 8-foot original sculpture titled “Curves and Voids,” which was created by Hovey and further enhances the community’s commitment to art and design.
