Draper and Kramer, Incorporated, announced pre-leasing has begun at Aspire Residences, a 24-story, 275-unit apartment tower at 2111 S. Wabash Avenue in Chicago’s South Loop. The transit-oriented development is slated to welcome first move-ins this summer.
“Residents of Aspire will enjoy a quick commute of less than 15 minutes to the Loop while living in this vibrant part of the South Loop neighborhood,” said Todd Bancroft, president and CEO of Draper and Kramer, the project’s developer. “Aspire is among the first new residential properties in this growing district in a number of years, giving those who are attracted to its walkability and urban lifestyle an opportunity to reside in a new-construction rental high-rise that includes the modern apartment features and robust amenity offerings today’s renters seek.”
Located at the northeast corner of Wabash Avenue and Cermak Road—less than a block from the CTA’s Cermak/McCormick Place Green Line station—the development will include street-level retail space, 24-hour door attendants and private, indoor parking for 88 resident-only vehicles. The design by Solomon Cordwell Buenz features an asymmetric base and glass tower with a “sawtooth” facade that creates a prismatic effect, changing the color of the building as the sun changes position throughout the day.
“This location not only affords stunning, unobstructed views of the city skyline to the north from many units, but also showcases a unique vantage point looking toward the Chicago River to the west and Lake Michigan to the east,” said Bancroft. “The footprint of the building was specifically designed to maximize the views from units and showcase the surrounding cityscape.”
Bancroft noted that while the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way people search for apartments, initial interest in Aspire has been strong, with several units already leased. “We’re thrilled with the positive early response, which tells us renters are looking to the future and researching new options in the market,” he said. “Our team is adapting quickly and doing a great job connecting with prospects virtually to showcase the building and everything it has to offer.”
Aspire includes a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom plans ranging in size from 529 to 1,411 square feet and priced from $1,800 per month. Apartments feature open layouts, wide-plank flooring, floor-to-ceiling windows, loft-like exposed concrete ceilings, and modern kitchens. Units also come with a full-size stacked washer and dryer, and keyless entry doors.
The fourth-floor amenity suite at Aspire will offer spaces that complement the lifestyle of residents, including a pub lounge and adjacent game room with a sports simulator; state-of-the-art fitness center and yoga studio and work areas for telecommuting. Additionally, the fourth floor offers access to a lushly landscaped, resort-style roof terrace with a sun deck, cabanas, grilling stations, swimming pool, lounge seating and city views. A dog park will also be located on the north end of the outdoor space.
The general contractor for the project is a joint venture between Chicago-based Power Construction and Ujamaa Construction.
