Magellan News
Posted by admin | December 30, 2010 | No Comments » |
When considering Chicago condos for sale, you should keep in mind that downtown you have access to the best spots in the city to celebrate the holidays. In particular, the clubs, restaurants and hotels of Chicago sport spectacular events for New Year’s, a holiday made for city festivity.
Whether you are looking for an intimate date for the evening or a raucous party to sip champagne at, downtown Chicago can offer an affair to remember. Here are a few of the best spots to check out on New Year’s—just make your reservations soon!
Benchmark – Join the young professional set at Benchmark for New Year’s—the $100 all-inclusive party starts at 9 p.m. and lasts until close. The Old Town location is easily accessible by the El if you can’t catch a cab on the busiest night of the year, and the package includes premium liquors, red bull and champagne. For a single twenty-something, this could be a great party for making new friends or finding romance before Valentine’s Day!
The Drake – There’s nothing more fun than spending midnight in one of Chicago’s most famous buildings on New Year’s—especially during one of Chicago’s biggest parties sponsored by Ciroc vodka. Chicago Scene Magazine organized The Drake’s event this year and will be on hand—the gala will include performances by the band Hey Champ and DJs Jernell Geronimo, Dani Deahl & Kalendr. The historic Drake will host 2,000 people from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. and you can buy tickets for a variety of different packages depending on how you want to celebrate!
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Posted by admin | December 29, 2010 | No Comments » |
With the basketball, professional football and hockey season overlapping right now, almost everyone is looking for a place to escape the snowy weather and cozy up to a flat-screen to watch their favorite athletes compete. If you and your friends must leave your downtown Chicago condos to root on the Hawks, Bears and Bulls, here are some good places to start!
The Pony – To catch a Blackhawks’ game, try this sleek neighborhood sports bar in Lakeview. For hockey fans that live in downtown Chicago condos, the short trip to this North neighborhood is worth it to root for you team amongst other diehard fans. Wooden finishes and a copper bar make it a homey place to wear your jersey, while TVs at every table ensure that you won’t miss a play!
Duke’s – Another northside neighborhood bar, Duke’s on Clark Street is a great for groups. Large tables and booths can host a group of friends, and food and drink specials make it affordable, especially on weeknights. If you like sports and buffalo wings, head there on Wednesday—50 cent wings with a house-made sauce are available all night!
Joe’s Bar – One of Chicago’s largest and most famous sports bars is Joe’s—you can catch virtually any game that might be on at this Chicago institution. It is the meeting ground for many fan clubs for different college and professional teams from around the country, but primarily, Joe’s supports Chicago’s teams. $2 pitchers of beer on Tuesdays, tons of space and tables, and great live music make it good place to catch a game and then stick around to celebrate or commiserate about the outcome!
Bull and Bear – Although it is relatively new to the scene, having only been around for a couple of years, Bull and Bear’s name obviously hints to the fact that is a Chicago sports bar (and also that it serves the financial set). You’ll find the young professionals of the Loop meeting here after work for happy hour but also coming back to watch their favorite Chicago teams do battle. Table taps of beer are one of the most popular features, allowing you to serve yourself draughts as you root for your team. The creative menu is also a highlight—expect American classics with a twist, like a 14-inch grilled cheese sandwich and tomato soup, made to slice , dip and share.
Theory – For a modern sports bar experience, Theory offers a swanky, sports-watching venue in the Near North Side. The space is comfortable enough to watch sports all day long, but also chic enough to see and be scene, so its great for mixed groups of hardcore sports aficionados and casually interested fans. Over 20 plasma screen TVs ensure that you can see your team from any of the comfy leather booths, and the Mexican-American comfort food will be sure to satisfy.
Sweetwater – On a glassed-in corner of Michigan Avenue, you can watch sports, drink beer and enjoy one of Chicago’s most exclusive locations while at Sweetwater. The focus is the bar’s expansive beer selection—for lovers of craft beers or cheap beers, there is something on the menu. Along with great brews, the venue offers a 140-seat beer garden and a glassed-in room for 16 with tons of TVs, so groups of any size can find a place catch kickoff. And after the game, you have immediate access to the best of Chicago’s Michigan Avenue area.
Posted by admin | December 28, 2010 | No Comments » |
January’s wintry events make downtown an exciting place to rent apartments in Chicago, even during the snowiest part of the year. From indoor activities like movies and theater to winter wonderland-style events made to take advantage of Chicago’s winterscape, there is plenty to entertain you in the city come January!
Navy Pier’s Winter Wonderfest – The snow day event that was previously held in Grant Park moved this year to Navy Pier. For families with young children, take advantage of the last days of the Wonderfest on January 1st and 2nd! Kids can take advantage of simulated skiing and snowmobiling rides, a power-wheel mini-adventure track, an ice-skating rink, and obstacle and ropes course. Admission is free!
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Posted by admin | December 27, 2010 | No Comments » |
Chicago Magazine Cites Aqua Among 40 Reasons to Love Chicago
In a special 40th anniversary edition, the December issue of Chicago magazine proclaiming 40 Reasons to Love Chicago devoted an entire page to Architect Jeanne Gang and her design of Lakeshore East’s Aqua tower in explaining “because as a center of architectural innovation we can still strut our stuff.”
The article opens with the explanation: “Writing in the New Yorker earlier this year, Paul Goldberger offered his take on the newly opened Aqua, the undulating 82-story skyscraper at 222 North Columbus Drive. The Pulitzer Prize-winning critic loved this building – “ingenious” – and grouped its designer, Jeanne Gang of Chicago’s Studio Gang, among the city’s most illustrious architects, among them Louis Sullivan, John Root and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. Recently, Gang discussed a few of the behind-the-scenes details that contributed to Aqua’s success. – Geoffrey Johnson”
Here is a bullet-by-bullet description provided by Chicago of those fascinating behind-the-scenes details that tell the story of Aqua’s internationally-proclaimed design:
Rock of Ages. Gang and her colleagues drew inspiration for Aqua’s furrowed façade from the striated limestone formations that rise up along the shores of the Great Lakes.
Sight unseen. Recognizing that Aqua would stand within a cluster of tall buildings, Studio Gang calculated various “lines of desire” that would provide residents unexpected views of the cityscape from their bumper-out balconies.
The Plot Thickens. After Studio Gang digitally plotted each of Aqua’s distinctive contours, builders used that information and GPS-like coordinates to precisely pour the 82 differently –shaped concrete floors.
Partial Eclipse. Studies of the sun’s position throughout the year determined the balconies’ placements. “In wintertime, when the sun is low, you get the sun coming in when you want it,” says Gang. In the summer, when the sun is higher, the balconies act as shades that keep Aqua cool.
Gust busters. The balconies’ staggered placements prevent the wind from picking up speed as it encounters the building, which means that Aqua’s residents can enjoy their balconies without being buffeted.
Reflecting Pools. The weave of balconies delineated areas of unshaded glass – Gang calls them “pools” – that were both beautiful and problematic. “After we had created this landscape, we realized there were going to be areas that didn’t have sun screens,” Gang says. To solve that problem, builders used a more reflective glazed glass in those areas to help repel the sun’s heat.
Hood winks. Gang seems especially delighted that Aqua has become, in her words, a “vertical community” where residents can “inhabit the façade” and even give a shout-out to their neighbors.
On the Fly. To pour the concrete floors, builders used “flying formworks” – basically a big platform hanging off the side of the building (rather than resting on the recently installed floors below) that allowed each floor to be poured in three days rather than the usual week.
Sweet Home. Neighborly spirit spills over to the 80,000-square-foot green roof (on the second floor) where condo owners and apartment dwellers democratically mingle. “They all share this amazing roof garden,” says Gang. “It’s helping make a community out of Aqua.”
Posted by admin | December 13, 2010 | No Comments » |
Magellan Development is proud to highlight four new model residences in The Tides and The Shoreham. Designed by Stanton Interior Concepts, these models each represent distinct flavors or styles of people who might rent apartments in Chicago. Three of the rentals reside in The Tides and fourth can be found in The Shoreham, exhibiting the best of apartment living on the New Eastside.
Photography by Skorburg and Associates
The Stanton design team created model rental properties in every desirable size—convertible, one-bedroom and two-bedroom models in The Tides show off what can be done with each distinct size apartment. The convertible model makes the most of a small space with “vibrancy and energy.” Its use of bold color, pattern and modern mix of furniture and accessories is a youthful spin on luxurious living.
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Posted by admin | December 9, 2010 | No Comments » |
Warm up to Winter at Park Grill
Exclusive Packages for our Friends in the Magellan Communities
DINE & SKATE
Enjoy a pre-skate dinner at Park Grill and the skates are on us!
valid Sunday – Thursday from 4pm to 7pm
reservations are required to take advantage of the package
please mention the “DINE & SKATE” promotion when you make your reservation
maximum 4 guests per visit
Reservations: 312-521-7282 or Online: www.parkgrillchicago.com (open table)
ZAMBONI BREAK WARM UP
Visit the Park Café for $3 Hot Chocolates, Cider or Latte
valid Sunday – Thursday from 2pm to 7pm
mention that you are a Magellan resident to take advantage of the deal
SKATING PARTIES
Book a Skating Party at Park Grill!
Park Grill can customize food, beverage and skating to accommodate a variety of budgets and occasions
* children’s packages including hot chocolate, treats & skates
* brunch packages with skating
* family packages with something for everyone
minimum of 15 guests or F&B minimum of $300 applies to customized parties
Please call our sales office to book: 312-521-7289
Posted by admin | December 9, 2010 | No Comments » |
Chicago natives new and old are aware that winter brings frosty weather! While the snow can make the city beautiful and the holiday season fills Chicago with great activities that only come once a year, residents of Lakeshore East’s downtown Chicago condos are inevitably breaking out their warm clothes, cozy blankets and comfort foods that get them through the cold season.
As December goes on, downtown Chicago condo owners should also make sure they have a favorite coffee shop, tea house or café to frequent while it’s wintry outside! Whether it is a cozy neighborhood spot or a chic and modern café, having a favorite place to escape the winter wind while warming up with coffee, soup, tea or hot cocoa is essential! You can enjoy the picturesque snow and winter weather through the window while you are enjoying the comfort of your local haunt. If you are new to the neighborhood or haven’t found a favorite café, here are a few suggestions in and around the Lakeshore East community.
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Posted by admin | December 7, 2010 | No Comments » |
For the epitome of luxury in downtown Chicago condos, Chicago residents look toward the skyline. Atop Aqua, luxury seekers will find what could be their ideal new home—a 2 bedroom, 2 ½ bath penthouse with 1,800 square feet of living space on the 81st floor of the Chicago skyline icon.
Penthouse Features and Amenities
Aqua’s penthouse features top-of-the-line finishes to complete the incredible design of the eye-catching building. Along with the cachet of living in one of Chicago’s most acclaimed architectural additions of recent years, Aqua’s attention to luxury is fulfilled in the penthouse, which features a marble foyer, hardwood floors throughout the living area, and floor-to-ceiling windows. The kitchen features Snaidero cabinetry, granite countertops, and Subzero, Wolf and Miele appliances.
Both bedrooms include en-suite baths with marble countertops and floors. The master bath has a separate shower and luxurious jetted tub, and both rooms have large closets complete with organizing units. Continuing Reading…
Posted by admin | December 6, 2010 | No Comments » |
Magellan Development Group was named Patron of the Year by the Chicago Architecture Foundation for Aqua Tower. Blair Kamin reports: Cityscapes, CAF Announces Patron of The Year Winners
Posted by admin | December 3, 2010 | No Comments » |
The Magnificent Mile and its luxurious stores are already been decorated for the winter holidays, now it’s time to makeover your condo with festive décor. The busy downtown Chicago resident needs easy and chic holiday décor—stylish and festive representations of holiday spirit that will make your condo homey and welcoming for entertaining. Whether you are making your own seasonal decorations or looking for inspiration for what to buy, here are some ideas and tips to get the ball rolling.
Holiday Cards – One of the easiest ways to start decorating is to display the holiday cards you receive from family and friends throughout the season. You can show them off on the mantel or in the foyer, on a bulletin board in the kitchen or in a basket on the coffee table. At no cost, you can inject your condo with holiday spirit through the good tidings being sent from friends and family from across the country. To fill out your collection and add a little continuity in the cards, you can supplement with them some holiday cards you buy yourself. Cards by local Chicago artists or those depicting Chicago landmarks are always popular, as are holiday cards that benefit a local charity. We like to add some retro style with vintage holiday cards!
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