Trio, a contemporary 209-unit condo complex, at 650 W Wayman, in the West Loop, comprises two seven-story mid-rises and a 22-story tower separated by landscaped courtyards with water features and reflecting pools.

Clean lines

Architects Hartshorne & Plunkard designed the three buildings that form Trio almost completely of glass and steel, with floor-to-ceiling windows all around. The look is distinctly urban, fitting in this formerly industrial corner of the West Loop, and all that glass should make for good views and light. The buildings’ clean lines and simple geometry integrate these structures, which as the development name implies, are three harmonious components of one project. But Hartshorne & Plunkard’s careful proportions and friendly touches break up the scale and keep the complex from seeming overwhelming. “We have given all of the buildings a warm residential scale and flavor by adding irregular cuts of buff limestone, fieldstone and other materials to the base of each structure, creating kind of a prairie feel,” Plunkard said. “And we have carried the stone finish upward to some degree by leaving some exposed concrete between floors for definition.”

Residential use separate

The planned-unit development where Trio is located, on former railroad land in the West Loop, is slated for up to 1,500 more residential units, retail development including a new Jewel grocery store and parks that will include tennis courts and a swimming pool. The location also is a short walk from the East Bank Club, Starbucks and Loop offices. Trio’s design allows buyers to live in this central location in a street-friendly complex and yet provides buyers with a sense of sanctuary, according to Robert Mosky, of RDM Development. “Trio is not a gated community. The intent was to build it out there for all to see, yet give the residents the feeling that they are leaving the city behind when they enter their building,” Mosky said. “That’s why we put most of the parking and all of the commercial off to the side, so to speak, keeping the main buildings strictly residential, yet still providing the convenience of easy access to the parking and commercial space.”

Three-acre park

In addition to the two mid-rises – one of 53 units and the other 56 – the first phase of Trio includes a four-story structure to the north with three levels of parking and one level containing 10,000 square feet of retail space. This structure will have a landscaped roof with a community center and fitness facility. The 100-unit tower will be constructed in phase II. In addition to the landscaped courtyards between the Trio buildings, the city will build a three-acre park on land donated by RDM just west of the tower.

Open floor plans

Condos at Trio have one or two bedrooms and one to two baths, and some have dens. Features include hardwood floors in living areas, bedroom carpeting, 10-foot ceilings throughout, floor-to-ceiling windows, state-of-the-art kitchen and bath appliances, granite countertops, multi-media pre-wiring and large terraces. One-bedrooms were priced from the $180s, two-bedrooms from the low $200s and two-bedrooms with dens from the low $300s in April 2005. Parking is $35,000 per spot. “Most of the bedrooms are on outside walls, and we have used some partial walls to add to the open, airy feeling provided by the large windows,” Plunkard said.

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