Asian influences abound in Chicago’s new-construction condominium market as developers search for the perfect feng shui to attract buyers.
Whether it is a Zen contemplation garden on the roof, Asian influences in architecture, imported Chinese vessel sinks, glass mosaic tile, or Ming Dynasty furnishings showcased in models, the wave from the Far East has washed ashore in Chicago in a big way.
See Y. Wong is one of the key developers leading the Asian movement in Chicago. At 1349 South Wabash Private Residences, a new 78-unit condominium under construction in the South Loop, developer Wong sought to design a contemporary brick, concrete and glass high-rise showcasing architecture with Asian influences.
1349 South Wabash will have clean lines, floor-to-ceiling windows and prominent corner balconies, noted Wong of Wabash Development and partner in Michigan Avenue Group, LLC.
The original decorator model interior featured signature 24-by-24-inch floor tile, vessel sinks and an exotic imported Chinese stone-tile wall in the master bedroom.
Sales at the 15-story high-rise have reached the 60-percent mark and deliveries are scheduled for late 2009. Purchasers include a mix of young professionals who work in the Loop and suburbanites seeking an in-town residence for grown children who are attending to school downtown, he said.
Units are priced from $223,500 to $479,500. Parking ranges in priced from $33,000 to $36,000. For more information, call 312-360-1818 or visit www.1349SouthWabash.com.
Wong currently is developing the $25-million Canal Crossing condominium development at 2318-2328 S. Canal in Chinatown for a predominantly Chinese-American niche market. Both developments are financed by Cathay Bank. The 60-unit condominium development is 80 percent sold, and construction is underway. Remaining units range in price from the low-$200,000 range to the low-$300,000-bracket. Wong also recently launched pre-construction sales on the $80-million Grand Imperial Hotel, a hotel-condominium development in Chinatown. The 15-story project also will be financed by the Cathay Bank.
The planned red pagoda-styled hotel, which will have 10,000 square feet of retail space and more than 180 hotel rooms and executive suites, is being developed by See Wong and Peter Siu of Emerald Homes, LLC.
The Chinese-themed complex will be built on a vacant land at 2150 S. Clark, creating a grand new entryway to Chinatown on Archer Avenue and Clark Street.
“The $80-million Grand Imperial Hotel development will expand the traditional boundaries of Chinatown to the east,” said Wong. “The condominium hotel will features traditional Chinese décor, with different floors featuring furnishings and decorating from various Chinese dynasties.”
Designs for the top three or four floors will be inspired by the Tang dynasty (618-781 A.D.), with the middle floors devoted to the Sung dynasty (960-1279 A.D.) and the bottom floors to the Ming Dynasty (1368 to 1644). All artwork and furniture will be custom made in China.
Other plans call for a sky lounge with a restaurant and spectacular views of the Windy City and Lake Michigan. The retail shopping area will be located adjacent to a Chinese garden.
Sixty-percent of the condo hotel rooms have been pre-sold at prices ranging from $268,000 to $500,000, Wong said. For more information, call 312-360-1818.
Asian interior influences also are showcased in the condominiums finished by Builders Center of Chicago, “from waterfall vanities and glass vessel sinks and mosaic tile in the bathroom to crystallized glass stone countertops from China in the kitchen,” said Jeffrey Heilbrunn, marketing director for the firm.
Builders Center currently is developing 4026 S. Ellis, 4234 S. Ellis and 3862 S. Lake Park Ave. in Bronzeville on the South Side, where 28 new-construction condos priced from $170,000 to $382,400 are available in 3-story and 4-story buildings. The 2-bedroom, 2-bath units feature 1,500 square feet of living space.
“The 4234 S. Ellis building will also house our new South Side offices in the ground-level commercial space, deepening our commitment to this area’s phenomenal growth,” said Heilbrunn.
Builder Center’s condo buyers may choose their own custom finishes, which include many selections imported from China displayed in our retail showroom at 2101 W. Irving Park Road, Heilbrunn said.
The 9,000-square-foot facility showcases imported cabinetry, granite counter tops, tile, track, chandelier and pendant lighting, vases, floral arrangements, art and accent pieces.
Builder Center offers a man-made crystallized glass stone, a Chinese product that is half the price of granite and can be fabricated into curves. For more information, call 773-751-5151, or visit www.buildersofchicago.com.
Developer Paul Stanley designed his dream home on the penthouse level at The Huron, a 47-unit luxury boutique condominium high-rise planned at 4 E. Huron Street, and a key element was totally Asian—a Zen contemplation garden.
“When you really want to get away from it all, you’ll find a Zen contemplation garden on the rooftop as well as grills for cooking out and a hot tub where you can relax and watch the sunset in amazing peace right in the heart of the city,” said Stanley, principal of State & Huron, LLC.
Only one, two or three residences are planned per floor—all with spacious terraces. Prices at The Huron range from $992,000 to $4.858 million for 2-bedroom to 5-bedroom residences. The sales center at 4 E. Huron is now open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. For more information, call 312-475-0201 or visit www.TheHuron.com.
