Star Power Triggers Rapid Sales Pace At Lakeshore East?s New Aqua Tower

In astronomy, a star is defined as a celestial body usually visible as a small, bright point of light in the night sky.

In residential architecture, a star is a designer with imagination and a magnetic force that energizes a market and helps produce a tidal wave of sales. Such is the case with architect Jeanne Gang, principal of Studio/Gang/Architects, whose sensuous, ?organic? design of the 82-story Aqua at the new Lakeshore East neighborhood has helped generate spectacular sales.

?In two month?s time we?ve sold 70 percent of the condominiums that will be included in this mixed-use high-rise,? reports Tricia Van Horn, vice president of sales and marketing for developer Magellan Development Group LLC. ?And there?s no question that Jeanne Gang?s rapidly growing reputation and her bold design have had a major impact on our traffic and sales.?

Aqua will combine 263 condominium homes in the top 27 stories with 476 rental residences, 210 hotel rooms, approximately 55,000 square feet of retail and office space and a Shore Club amenity that includes an 80,000-square-foot outdoor deck and 35,000-square-foot indoor facility.

Bold in both design and function, Aqua is the first high-rise in Chicago specifically designed to feature condominiums, rental, hotel and retail spaces in a single structure. Refreshingly, it is a building that was designed not only in the context of the site but also in the context of other buildings surrounding it.

Its dramatic design is produced by outdoor balconies and terraces that form unique, undulating contours of different sizes and shapes that change gradually from the lower to the higher part of the building. This use of generous, non-linear terraces that gives each floor a unique shape contrasts dramatically with the more angular shape of surrounding buildings and creates a more architecturally diverse community.

Gang explains that the design was inspired by studying underground limestone geologic forms leading to a design ?that has the feeling of water-worn rock.? In a practical context, the resulting bumps and indentations not only present outside viewers with a variety of shapes, depending upon their point of view, but they give residents a wider variety of view corridors together with ?solar shaping? that considers sunlight and shadows for each unit.

Consequently, Aqua?s studios, convertibles, and one-, two- and three-bedroom residences will command dramatic river, lake, skyline and Millennium Park views. Residences, ranging from 573 to 1,982 square feet, are priced from $360,000. In addition, a limited number of opulent penthouses are planned for several of the top floors of Aqua. The penthouse condominiums will be ultra luxurious featuring unparalleled amenities and one-of-a-kind views.

Residents will have access to more diverse amenities than any major city, indoors and out. A distinctive 80,000-square-foot deck will feature luxury gardens, gazebos, pools and caba?as, hot tubs, running track, fire pit and grills. Indoors, a 35,000-square-foot amenity floor will provide fitness facilities, indoor lap pool, a spa featuring hot tubs, sauna, steam and massage room, private party suites with catering kitchens, coffee bar and lounge, wine room, media room, billiards and game area, business center, Internet caf?, library, skygarden and concierge services.

Aqua is the seventh high-rise at Magellan Development Group?s 28-acre Lakeshore East, projected to bring 4,950 new residences to downtown Chicago?s lakefront. The Regatta, a 44-story condominium tower, is sold-out and on track for mid-2006 completion. The Parkhomes will be brought to market in the summer of 2006. The Chandler, a 35-story condominium tower, and The Tides, a 51-story luxury apartment tower, will follow in 2007. 340 on the Park, a 348-residence condominium property created in joint venture with LR Development Co., is scheduled to reach completion 2007. In addition, the Village Market Center, featuring anchor tenant, Treasure Island Foods, is scheduled for completion in 2007. The Lancaster, an award-winning 29-story residential condominium and The Shoreham, an award-winning 46-story luxury apartment tower, are complete.

The magnificent six-acre Park at the core of Lakeshore East was dedicated to the City of Chicago on July 16th 2005. Several outstanding features which enhance the award-winning park include a marvelous children?s play park, separate dog park, great lawn, substantial varieties of botanical landscaping and gardens, a grand staircase, winding pathways and 10 cascading fountains. The $4 billion mixed-use development, inspired by traditional Chicago neighborhoods, received the 2002 National Honor Award for excellence in urban design from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) for its master plan.

Aqua?s sales center, 375 E. Wacker Drive, is open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. More information is available at www.LakeshoreEast.com/AQUA or by calling (312) 540-9891.