Avenue East, a 27-story new-construction condominium tower, is planned for development at 160 E Illinois St, a few steps east of Michigan Avenue’s Magnificent Mile. The highrise will contain 133 condos, indoor parking and 10,000 square feet of retail space, according to Residential Homes of America, Inc. , the developer of the project. This is Residential Homes of America's first venture into city development.

“Since Avenue East will offer floor plans with a wide variety of sizes, it will appeal to nearly everyone seeking either a primary residence or a pied-a-terre,” said Cheryl Bancroft, principal and COO of Equity Marketing Services, Inc., the exclusive sales and marketing agent for Avenue East. The unit mix ranges from studios to three-bedroom condos with 770 to 2,700 square feet. Remaining homes were price from the $330s to about $2 million in July 2005.

Glass and concrete

Architects Robert R. Bistry and Arden Freeman of Built Form Architecture have designed a modern glass and concrete highrise with large terraces and recessed balconies. An existing five-story office building on the site will be razed to make way for the new tower. “It was important for us to design a structure that could stand the test of time, sympathetic to the limestone art deco neighbors like the Tribune Tower, the Wrigley Building and the Intercontinental Hotel, while preserving its own identity to the east,” said Bistry, who recently won critical acclaim for his elegant River Bend design.

Avenue East also will adhere to Mayor Richard Daley’s vision for a new downtown with a three-level green roof. Building amenities include a fitness center, a landscaped deck, 24-hour door staff and a club room with a full kitchen and surround-sound theater. The homes have gourmet kitchens, granite countertops, hardwood floors, solid-core doors, Kohler fixtures, master baths with marble floors and optional fireplaces. A sales and marketing center, which includes a designer two-bedroom model residence and building model, opened at 160 E Grand Ave in February 2005.

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