OAK PARK—Renters are attracted to the top-notch amenities at the newly completed Oak Park Place, a luxury 14-story development of edgy, soft-loft apartment homes in downtown west suburban Oak Park.
“Oak Park Place showcases exceptional indoor and outdoor amenities as well as introducing a new “green lifestyle option” to the village of Oak Park with edgy, soft-loft apartment homes and convenient retail shopping—all accessible to nearby public transportation,” said Tracy Vegeler, general manger at the development.
The luxury apartments feature a 24-hour exercise center with Life Fitness personal training equipment, bicycle storage, Executive Business Center with high-speed Internet access, and an ultra impressive club room with big-screen television, surround sound, kitchen, lounge area and Starbuck’s coffee bar. “The club room also opens to a green and grassy landscaped roof-top deck with leisure space and a gas grill, providing an ideal setting for indoor/outdoor entertaining,” said Vegeler.
With all these luxury amenities, Vegeler said the Whiteco Residential management team successfully has hosted a wide variety of themed bi-monthly social events for residents, friends and families.
The development is the first major new-construction green-lifestyle enclave to be launched in downtown west suburban Oak Park in decades, said Stephan T. Beck, president of Whiteco Residential, LLC, the developer.
“The unique Oak Park Place Apartments is designed to be a glassy and contemporary residential building on the southeast corner of Ontario Street and Harlem Avenue in the heart of historic downtown Oak Park,” said Beck.
Two chic professionally furnished and decorated models are open for viewing.
“Everything is very new, modern and convenient here at Oak Park Place,” said Brian Kanieki, 24, is a typical renter at the community. “And I really liked the fact it is modern.”
Kanieki, a special education teacher, moved into this new apartment May 1stwith his roommate.
“The roof-top deck at Oak Park Place is phenomenal with beautiful views of Oak Park, River Forest and the Chicago skyline,” he said. “The club room with a flat screen TV, stereo and DVD player is an amazing place to hang out. It also has free Starbucks coffee.
“My roommate and I like to shoot up to the club room in the morning and get a cup of Starbucks coffee. It really saves a lot of money for us as well as time. You just head right over to the garage and you are off for the day.”
The club room is just off the roof top deck and is available to reserve for private parties. There is a wet bar and plenty of entertaining space. The two roommates have already grilled out on the roof-top.
“The business center is conveniently located with internet access anytime and set up with computers,” he said. “The weight room is all modern and new with top-of-the-line equipment and there is always access to a tread mill.
“Also we are in the perfect place in downtown Oak Park you can go for sushi, Italian food or to the Lake theater for a show—everything is within a block or two,” he said.
“We were among the first residents to move-in and we were able to view the developer's complete construction and it was amazing to see the process of how it was built,” said Kanieki. “It truly is an amazing building.”
Construction is now complete and leasing is moving at a fast pace with more than 30 percent of the apartments leased at the 200-unit Oak Park Place Apartments, located at 479 N. Harlem Ave. Indoor parking is provided for 200 cars.
Oak Park Place offers a mix of layouts ranging from efficient studios to spacious 2-bedroom apartment homes. Monthly rents start at $1,160 for studios and begin at $1,975 for 2-bedroom apartments, said Vegeler. Initial occupancy of Oak Park Place is underway.
The sleek apartments have a soft-loft feel with floor-to-ceiling windows, 9-foot and 10-foot high exposed concrete ceilings and plush wall-to-wall carpeting, the developers said.
Kitchens are equipped with upscale stainless-steel appliances, granite counter tops, solid wood cabinetry, under-mount double sink and track lighting.
“Designed by the architectural firm of Brininstool & Lynch, this contemporary, green-friendly development features loft-style apartments with floor-to-ceiling windows and spectacular views of downtown Chicago, he said.
“Residents at Oak Park Place will be living in a perfect location. They’ll be able to walk out the front door to the excitement of downtown Oak Park and ride the Metra to Chicago’s Loop in 12 minutes.”
Designed with sweeping roof overhangs and balconies with glass railings, the contemporary-style enclave consists of two interconnected buildings—one 14 stories high and the other 6 stories.
“Oak Park Place is primarily targeted to commuting professionals, graduate and medical students, and the diverse mix of residents who currently live in Oak Park,” said Vegeler.
The Trader Joe’s grocery store, located on the ground floor of the 6-story building, opened in December. “Trader Joe’s is a convenient retail amenity at the fingertips of organic food lovers,” Beck said. “Residents can stop in on their way home and pick up fresh entrees and salads for dinner.”
“Our company has made a commitment to the environment by applying for the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification,” Beck noted.
Oak Park Place is constructed with a percentage of recycled materials, with products and finishes that contain low volatile organic compounds (VOC) and the green roof deck creates clean air, he said.
In addition, the downtown Oak Park location is surrounded by public transportation choices that help save on fuel and reduce the carbon footprint at the development, he noted. Oak Park Place also has access to the I-Go automobile sharing system through the village.
“Residents who live in this green-friendly community are making a choice to minimize environmental impacts, maximize energy and embrace healthier living,” Vegeler said.
The Oak Park Community
Within a 12-minute commute by car to the Loop, Oak Park is a thriving community of more than 52,000 people. For decades, Oak Park has been a hot spot with its vibrant downtown, trendy restaurants and close proximity to the city.
“Oak Park is a great alternative to living in downtown Chicago because of its convenient transportation and world-class retail shopping and restaurant amenities similar to Chicago’s hottest neighborhoods,” Vegeler said.
“In fact, this year Oak Park was named one of the country's 100 Best Communities for Young People, by America’s Promise Alliance,” she said.
Spend a few hours exploring Oak Park’s 12 distinct business districts, and you’ll find more than 75 restaurants, national and local retail stores, art galleries, 4,000-plus businesses and more than 925,000 square feet of the most accessible, attractive retail space in the near west suburbs of Chicago.
Residents of Oak Park Place Apartments are in walking distance to restaurants such as Bar Louie, Jerusalem Cafe, Cosi, Sushi House, Marion Street Grill, Five Guys, Los Cazadores, Golden Lamb, King and I Thai Restaurant, Homemade Pizza Company, Mancini’s Pizza & Pasta, Prairie Bread kitchen, Cold Stone Creamery, Ben & Jerry's, Caribou Coffee, Starbucks Coffee and Lidaos Café, to name a few.
Shopping and entertainment opportunities include Trader Joe’s, Dominick’s Finer Foods, Jewel Osco, Borders Books and Cafe, Barbara’s Bookstore, The Book Table and Fitzgerald’s Fine Stationary.
Other retail choices include: The Gap and Gap Kids, Old Navy Clothing Co, United Colors of Benetton, Pier One Imports, Antique Emporium on Marion, Kelly Frame Co., Carriage Flower Shop, AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile.
Entertainment options include: the Lake Theatre, Oak Park Festival Theatre, Oak Park Conservatory, and the Village Players Theatre.
Oak Park Village officials are proud to say that within its 4.5 square miles live a diverse mix of people with different cultures, races, ethnic groups, professions, lifestyles, religions, ages and incomes.
The suburb also lays claim as the birthplace and childhood home of legendary author Ernest Hemingway. Each year, residents gather to host an annual festival in July to celebrate Hemingway’s birthday.
Oak Park also was home to renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright who lived there from 1889 to 1909 and designed more than two dozen buildings within its boundaries, including his first public building, Unity Temple, a Unitarian Universalist church.
Wright s Oak Park home, 941 Chicago Avenue, is now the Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio and is open for public tours. For more information, call 708-848-1976.
Today, Oak Park boasts the world’s largest collection of Frank Lloyd Wright designed buildings and houses, with 25 structures built between 1889 and 1913.
Oak Park is home to more than 40 art galleries, studios and antique shops showcasing the works of local artisans, clustered in pockets throughout the village.
The Harrison Street Art District and the many galleries on Lake and Marion Streets offer a variety of performance venues and a large number of resident artists, artisans, graphic artists, musicians, writers and indigenous theatre groups.
An active Oak Park Area Arts Council supports arts-related events almost daily throughout the village especially at the Oak Park Public Library, local bookstores and cafes where author readings, writer workshops, book discussions and literary events abound.
The residents of Oak Park are a friendly lot, too, and join together to host more than 300 block parties each summer.
Residents share common interests like gardening, history or the arts through more than 40 different organizations, service clubs and lifestyle groups.
Transportation choices abound in Oak Park. Public transportation to whisk you to downtown Chicago in 30 minutes via the CTA’s Green Line is two blocks south of Oak Park Place. In addition, the Village Shuttle Service, a free Oak Park bus service, is available. The Metra’s Union Pacific West Line also is nearby along with the Eisenhower Expressway (Interstate 290).
Whiteco Residential, LLC
Since 1998, Whiteco Residential, LLC, a privately held company, has developed more than 4,000 luxury rental apartments in 17 communities from California to Connecticut, including such major cities as Denver, Houston, Orlando and Las Vegas.
“Whiteco Residential’s residents enjoy communities that deliver an exceptional lifestyle as well as beautifully appointed apartment homes,” Beck said.
“Our communities set the standards others wish to achieve through innovative technology, spectacular designs, attention to detail, dedication to quality and extraordinary customer service,” he said. “We are committed to anticipating our residents’ need and exceeding their expectations.”
The Oak Park Place Apartments rental center at 479 N. Harlem in Oak Park will be open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.
For more information, please call Tracy Vegeler the property's general manager at 708-383-3000 or visit the website at www.oakparkplaceapts.com.
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