New Streeterville residential high-rise boasts over an acre of amenity spaces

Of all the gleaming high-rise residences anchoring the Streeterville neighborhood, perhaps the new Optima Signature is one of the most artistic. You can't help but notice the striking red glass panels that wrap the lower seven floors of the modern apartment tower or the bright yellow free-form sculpture that stands in the plaza in front of the building.

The color bursts are a signature of renowned architect and developer David Hovey of Glencoe.

The 57-story Optima Signature at 220 E. Illinois St. is a joint venture between Hovey's firm, Optima Inc., and DeBartolo Development. The two also partnered in 2013 on the sister building next door, Optima Chicago Center. The base of that apartment tower is similarly clad in black glass.

"Our focus is on architecture and contributing to the built environment but doing it in a way that resonates with the broader community and our residents," Optima Senior Vice President Mark Segal said. "We didn't design in a vacuum."

The 490 apartments at Optima Signature offer two levels of luxury living and 24 floor plans. The 351 tower residences welcomed the first move-ins in June. The 139 apex residences are planned to open this fall. The building is managed by Lincoln Property Co.

Tower residences include convertible, one-bedroom and two-bedroom units. They have floor-to-ceiling operable windows with solar shades, wood plank flooring, in-unit clothes washer and dryer, and choice of light or dark finish packages.

Tower kitchens are appointed with stainless steel appliances, quartz counters and contemporary wood-grain cabinets. Wine chillers are per plan.

Apex residences, which occupy the top 15 floors of the building, include one-, two-, three-bedroom and penthouse units. The apartments have upgraded finishes and features plus access to a private club on the 52nd floor.

A two-bedroom tower model on the 19th floor consists of 1,316 square feet in a rectangular layout. An L-shaped hallway leads to the great room, where the kitchen is defined by an appliance wall and a stationary island. The island is equipped with a sink and dishwasher on one side and casual seating on the other. The rest of the great room is spacious enough for a dining table as well as lounge furniture.

The two bedrooms are at opposite corners of the unit. The master bedroom has his-and-hers closets and a bath with dual vanity and oversize shower. A second bath, near the second bedroom, has a single vanity and extra-deep tub.

At street level, the glass-walled lobby is a light-filled space lined with black-and-white marble flooring. Behind the reception desk is another artistic feature: a backdrop of massive rough-hewn redwood planks strung vertically along the wall.

On the first floor, you'll find the mailroom — with electronic package delivery — and a dry cleaner offering alterations and shoe repair.

The real fun begins on the seventh and eighth floors, which are linked by another Hovey design: a colorful yellow and orange staircase. The seventh floor plays host to a resident lounge with coffee bar; regulation-size courts for basketball, squash and bocce ball; locker rooms with steam room, sauna and cold-plunge showers; video fitness studio; golf simulator and putting green; and outdoor terrace with lounge furnishings, fire pits and whirlpool.

The eighth floor has a fitness center with cardio and strength-training equipment, yoga studio, indoor lap pool, whirlpool spa and children's play area. Even more amenities are outdoors: a 40-yard running track, dog park, another children's play area, terrace with swimming pool, whirlpool spa, cabanas, lounge seating, televisions, co-ed sauna and steam rooms, showers, two full kitchens, and grilling stations and dining areas.

If the amenity package seems to go on and on, it does. In all, an acre and a half of space is devoted to recreational and leisure-time pursuits, Segal says.

The 20th floor has spaces for gaming, lounging and working. Among them are pool, pingpong and foosball tables; coffee bar; showcase kitchen with communal dining table; movie theater with full bar; library; business center; conference room; and outdoor terrace with grills and fire pits.

Optima Signature also has 58,000 square feet of retail and professional space under development.

Residents have private access to the adjacent Whole Foods grocery store. Restaurants, shopping, entertainment venues and medical services are within short walking distances. Public transportation is readily available, and includes CTA buses, Divvy and the Chicago Water Taxi.

"This is the ultimate live-work-play environment for our residents," Segal said. "If you want to work someplace separate from your apartment home, we have office space here for rent, and we also are so close to many different employers in the area. We have all the amenities to enjoy right here, and you don't have to go outside to access Whole Foods in the middle of winter."

Pamela Dittmer McKuen is a freelance writer.

ctc-realestate@chicagotribune.com

Optima Signature

220 E. Illinois St.

312-971-0400

optimasignature.com/

Apartments: Prices based on availability and subject to change.

Tower residences: Convertible, 571 to 730 square feet, from $1,965; one-bedroom, 734 to 881 square feet, from $2,510; two-bedroom, 1,245 to 1,316 square feet, from $3,825.

Apex residences: One-bedroom, 747 to 923 square feet, from $2,950; two-bedroom, 1,249 to 1,318 square feet, from $4,460; three-bedroom, 1,511 to 1,641 square feet, from $4,775; penthouse three-bedroom, 2,583 square feet, $15,695.

Lease terms: 10- to 20-month lease terms. $50 application fee per occupant; $450 administration fee.

Renter's insurance: Minimum $100,000 liability.

Utilities: Utility package, $75 to $105, depending on unit size. Includes heat, air conditioning, water, sewer, trash and recycling. Tenant pays electricity, cable and internet.

Parking: On-site parking. Unreserved, $250 monthly; reserved, $325 monthly; month to month, $400.

Pets: Pet-friendly on all floors. Two-pet limit. Breed restrictions apply. One-time pet fee: $500 per dog, $350 per cat.

Smoking policy: Nonsmoking.

Amenities: Apartments feature floor-to-ceiling windows with shades, engineered wood plank flooring, washer and dryer, stainless steel appliances, granite or quartz counters and vanities. Tower units have carpeted bedrooms.

Common spaces include fitness center; basketball, squash and bocce courts; indoor lap pool; outdoor swimming pool; whirlpool spas; sauna and steam rooms; cabanas; numerous indoor and outdoor lounge areas; outdoor grills, kitchens and dining areas; fire pits; dog runs; children's play areas; game room; coffee bars; movie theater; library; business center and conference room.

Indoor parking and additional storage are available. Wi-Fi in common spaces and bicycle storage are complimentary. CTA, Divvy and Chicago Water Taxi are nearby.