Fifield Fetes Grand Opening of The Sinclair in Chicago
The luxury rental community adds a large slate of upscale units to Chicago's Gold Coast neighborhood, spurring talk of a resurgence.
By Jeffrey Steele
Fifield Realty Corp., the development arm of Fifield Cos., has unveiled The Sinclair Apartments in Chicago’s Gold Coast neighborhood. The new development, located at the northeast corner of Division and LaSalle streets, is a 390-unit, 35-story luxury apartment community that touts cutting-edge amenity spaces.
The Sinclair features studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom apartment homes, as well as four-bedroom penthouses. Residences range in size from 500 to 2,600 square feet. The developer recently also broke ground on the tallest residential tower underway in the city, a 44-story luxury project in the city’s West Loop neighborhood.
“There was unmet demand in the Gold Coast for new construction apartments, and for years neighbors wanted a full-service, larger, modernized grocery store,” Fifield Realty Corp. chairwoman Randy Fifield told MHN.
“With the high demand for both, and the site’s excellent location next to the CTA Red Line train and within walking distance of so many restaurants, popular retail shops, the Loop and Lake Michigan, we recognized an exceptional opportunity,” Fifield added. “New high-rise, mixed-use buildings are leaders in revitalizing neighborhoods and creating additional opportunities for economic growth, and we’re thrilled to be a driving force of neighborhood renewal.”
Opportunities and challenges
Among the site’s upsides was the opportunity to provide high-density multifamily living while maximizing terrific views, Fifield noted. In addition, the site provided the chance to team with Chicago-area supermarket chain Jewel to create a new flagship supermarket. Finally, it allowed Fifield to carve out the Gold Coast’s single-largest amenity deck.
That deck includes a pool and spa, lounge seating, cabanas, fire pit, outdoor grilling stations with intimate dining areas, gardens, dog run and skyline and lake views. Other amenities include a state-of-the-art fitness club, surround-sound screening room, residents’ lounge with chef’s demonstration kitchen, business center and conference room with whiteboard and screening capability, Starbuck’s coffee bar, bicycle kitchen, 24-hour concierge and secured-access garage.
“The challenges included dealing with (neighborhood) residents who opposed the zoning changes required for a larger store and a 35-story tower, as well as rising construction costs
in a busy development market,” Fifield explained.
Neighborhood revivification
Initially 40 public meetings were held and numerous negotiations and accommodations needed to be met. “That’s not atypical, but it’s very time consuming,” Fifield reported.
“We engaged in sun studies and parking studies, and we reviewed air rights issues and engaged in proper planning of the site for three years. We went through three aldermen and a fair amount of hostility from neighbors who opposed the zoning changes or other parts of the plan,” Fifield said. “But, now that the Jewel is open, the building is completed and there is a flow of new residents, neighbors are very happy and there is a renewed energy in the area. There is new water service, street landscaping, updated public transportation and security cameras for the thriving neighborhood, and many jobs and tax bills have been created and will be in place permanently to enhance the Gold Coast.”
Photos courtesy of Jeff Schear