Evanston Apartments Open with Style

By Keith Loria, Contributing Editor

Evanston, Ill.—Fifield Companies and Carroll Properties have developed E2, a 356-unit luxury apartment project in downtown Evanston, Ill., the first high-rise project built in the area in 15 years.

“Evanston is the most urban of the suburbs around Chicago and sits immediately on the border of Chicago, and because it’s the home of Northwestern University, it has all the major public transportation running through it,” Randy Fifield, Fifield Cos.’ vice chair and principal, told MHN. “This property sits in the downtown area, which is served by the Northwestern Railroad as well as the Elevated Line, both just two blocks from the property.”

E2 is comprised of two buildings, a 16-story tower at 1881 Oak Ave. and a 14-story tower at 1890 Maple Ave., which are connected by a four-story structure that includes three floors of parking and the amenity deck. The building also contains 4,000 square feet of ground-floor retail space.

Apartment tower residences range from 500 to 1,400 square feet and offer studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom layouts. The property also offers 12 rental townhomes ranging from 1,750 to 1,875 square feet and featuring three bedrooms, 2.5 baths and a third-floor deck. Townhomes have private entrances from Emerson Street and full access to building amenities at E2.

All units feature quartz countertops, plank floors, stainless steel appliances, in-unit laundry, oversized windows and high-end lighting and Grohe plumbing fixtures. Units also have built-in wireless audio system with in-wall speakers and electronic access control.

E2’s impressive fourth-floor amenity deck includes a full-size basketball court, state-of-the-art fitness center, lounge area, party room with demonstration kitchen, theater, business center with conference room, coffee bar and an outdoor pool and spa with cabanas, grills with sinks and dining areas.

“We want E2 to be all things Evanston,” Fifield said. “This building is not only a home for local residents, but also a partner for local businesses, artists and organizations. With E2’s location and robust business capabilities, we also believe it will be home to many local business owners who can oversee their operations from their homes in the building and our business center, as well as have direct access to their clientele base in Chicago and the North Shore.”

To celebrate its grand opening, the co-developers held a Designer Showcase with seven local designers decorating the apartments. Those participating included Morgante Wilson Architects; Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams; Bardes Interiors/Maze Home; Brook Furniture; Staging North Shore; Cort Furniture; and World Market.

“We created this event to give residents on the North Shore an up-close look at the possibilities luxury rental living can bring,” Fifield said “From the amazing views of Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline from these professionally-designed, premier units, to the seemingly endless amenities in the building, E2 demonstrates why the luxury rental lifestyle has become the preferred option for today’s urban dweller.”

For example, Morgante Wilson Architects created “Izzy’s Art Studio,” a 504-square-foot studio showing the versatility of the floor plan as a live/work space with multi-function pieces such as a contemporary murphy bed that transforms into a sofa and a long, industrial-chic wooden table to serve as both a dining area and a work surface.

For a look at the designs, click here.