The Heritage at Millennium Park was a stunning success by almost any measure.

The project sold quickly, fetching premium prices in a location that while inherently beautiful, overlooking the parks, lake and skyline, was in some ways a pioneering spot for high-end residential development.

The design by Solomon Cordwell Buenz & Associates both took its context into account, nodding to the adjacent Chicago Cultural Center, and gave something fresh to the skyline, a clean beveled façade that looks like it belongs. The effect was enhanced when the developer agreed to save a number of historic facades on Wabash, brilliantly incorporating them into the new tower’s design and preserving the profile of a classic block.

Perhaps the most coveted sign of success – and it’s one that just a single development at a time can enjoy in Chicago – is that the project became the address of Mayor Richard Daley.

A second tower

Mesa Development, Equity Marketing Services and SCB are back for a sequel. The same team of developer, marketer and architect has returned with The Legacy at Millennium Park.

As you’ll notice, this project too is trying to make the most of its proximity to the wildly popular Millennium Park. The design is again, strikingly modern but respectful of context. SCB has come up with a narrow, 72-story tower that’s heavy on glass, at 60 E Monroe St.

“The base building will be on Wabash, and the second through fourth buildings as you’re heading down Wabash, we’ll save facades,” said Andy Warner, of Equity Marketing Services, which is selling the planned highrise. “The first is the Champlain building, which will remain, except that we’re taking over the back part of it to be our lobby.”

Preserving history

None of the older buildings are landmarks, Warner said, though they are “historically significant.”

“The facades will be maintained, as we did at The Heritage,” Warner said. “That was an additional expense to the tune of a couple of million dollars for the developer, but it really paid off. If you walk down Wabash, it looks great.”

Luxury over the park

And what of the new building?

In October 2007, the project’s 355 condos were tentatively priced from the $430s for one-bedrooms to $4 million for a penthouse.

The building will include a health club, a pool and a deck over the 14-story garage base, similar to the one at The Heritage, according to Warner.

And without setting foot outdoors, Legacy residents can access the adjacent University Club, one of Chicago’s oldest and toniest private institutions, through a cleverly constructed skybridge.Membership for Legacy residents is not guaranteed, although they'll be able to waive the initiation fee and get help with the three nominations required to apply, according to sales rep Kalina Pon.