Luxury in Chicago: Alta at K Station

Chicago–Ashley Kopka works in advertising sales and is always on the run to client meetings. So once she’s at home, she doesn’t want to have to run to other places, such as the gym or the pool. When she first heard about apartments available at Alta at K Station, a luxury rental property in downtown Chicago, managed by Lincoln Property Company, Kopka was hooked.

The community includes a gym and a pool. “For a rental building, that’s a big deal,” says Kopka. “I met with a rep who walked me through and highlighted the amenities, options and floor plans. I negotiated on the price and signed a flexible lease, which was perfect for me.”

The buildings are part of Chicago’s redevelopment of what used to be the Kedzie train yard area. “The building is positioned where the old train yard was, which is in close proximity to the train and major thoroughfare streets to get on the expressway,” says Linda Jasinski, general manager of Alta at K Station. “It’s an excellent walk-to-work location.”

The redevelopment started three years ago and is an $850 million, 2,000-plus-unit master-planned community located in the Fulton River District and the Chicago River area. Developed by Chicago-based Fifield Companies, the project includes the Echelon Tower, a 350-unit, 39-story building that was built in 2008 and Alta at K Station, a development that has two towers—one is 37 stories with 420 residences and the other is a 41-story tower of 428 units.

“The amenities are the stand-out selling point,” says Jasinski. “There is a long list, but the highlights include a state-of-the art fitness center with free group classes like Pilates and yoga; on-site massage therapy services; full-service concierge team; outdoor Olympic-sized pool and a spa that seats 12; outdoor gourmet grilling kitchen/stations; cabanas and fire pit; 23-seat private theater; computer/business center; billiards area; and game lounge.”

Alta at K Station is also registered to be LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)-certified Silver or Gold and is targeted to urban renters, like Kopka, who work downtown or in the Chicago suburbs. At press time, the buildings were both at 50 percent capacity. “We’re marketing everywhere,” says Jasinski. “We have banners up, and our traffic comes from a resident referral program where we pay a fee if they refer someone. We also do outreach to the businesses in the area.”

With so many residents spread out over several buildings, management strives to keep a sense of community by hosting monthly resident activities and outings, a resident newsletter and community cable channel. The buildings are also connected with an eighth-floor amenity deck where residents can get to know one another. “There’s a fire pit up there and a full-time concierge who serves as the eighth-floor amenities director,” says Jasinski. “The concierge plans monthly events and the residents get to know one another, creating a sense of community.”