Magellan News
Posted by admin | April 26, 2011 | No Comments » |
Summer is just around the corner, and it is officially time to dust off the patio and fire up the grill! If you or your friends are looking to rent apartments in Chicago, Magellan Development’s Lakeshore East not only offers open-style kitchens perfect for entertaining, but it also permits residents to grill on their personal balconies or access the building’s grills located on the Club Floors of each property. Of course, throwing the perfect BBQ does require some finesse; but not to worry – whether you’re grilling a romantic dinner for two or a party for the whole building, these tips will be sure to hone your skills and make you a master of the grill.
Here are some great tips for hosting the perfect summer cookout
No matter what type of grill you use, a clean grill helps prevent food from sticking to the surface. Before cooking, you should let the grill heat up for about 5 minutes, allowing any food residue from previous use to fall right off with only a little pressure from your stiff grill brush. Afterwards, you can dip a wadded paper towel into some vegetable oil, and using a pair of long spring-loaded tongs, wipe the grill gate with the oiled paper towel. Not only is pre-cleaning the grill a sanitary gesture for your guests, but it also makes post-cookout clean up a breeze!
Aside from the fact that not everyone eats meat, it’s extremely fun and exciting for your guests to be surprised and delighted with an array of flavors and foods. Quick tip: If you do have vegetarian guests, make sure you ask them if they can eat food that has been cooked on the same surface as meat and keep an area of the grill free from possible cross-contamination. Try utilizing a grill basket for some fresh grilled veggies or incorporate shish kebobs to your menu for an alternative to burgers and hot dogs. Another great cookout staple that can be done on the grill is corn on the cob; try experimenting with different techniques including marinades and grilling with the husk on. If you’re really feeling adventurous, you can even indulge in a little grilled dessert. Peaches and nectarines are perfect for grilling. Simply choose a fruit that feels slightly under-ripe, slice in half, and grill with the cut-side down until soft. Top your warm fruit with a little ice cream or ricotta cheese mixed with sugar and prepare to charm your guest.
Do you ever wonder what makes that one potato salad better than all the rest? Overnight preparation – something that profits both you and your guests! Many cookout side dishes, such as pasta and potato salads, benefit from sitting overnight since the flavors have more time to develop and blend. Save some time and enhance the bold flavors of your dishes by preparing them the night before and storing in the fridge. You can also marinate your meat overnight, allowing all the juices and spices to thoroughly soak in. If you know the day of your cookout is going to be busy, you can even prepare further by slicing up your burger toppings, like tomatoes and onions.
The perfect summer-time beverage, Sangria not only tastes fantastic, but it can add a little color and style to your table. Dice up some apples, oranges, limes and berries and add them to a few bottles of light, fruit-forward red wine (like a Spanish Rioja). If you prefer white wines, you can add melons and grapes to a nice un-oaked Chardonnay for a different spin on this Spanish classic. Let the Sangria sit overnight to soak up the citrus, and right before serving, add a splash of carbonated soda to each glass or right in the pitcher.
Remember that most cookout staples are perishable, so leaving them in direct sunlight, even at room temperature, can promote the growth of harmful bacteria. If you’re hosting a party outside, try to keep the food buffet-style inside on the counter or kitchen table and allow your guests to take individual plates outside in order to preserve the freshness of your food.
Allow your guests to focus on the food, fun and friends instead of pesky bugs, by purchasing non-toxic candles containing citronella oil. If you want to add a little flare to the evening, look for candleholders in the form of tiki torches instead of simply placing the candles on your patio. Aside from your guests, you also want to protect your food from unwanted bugs. Try to keep dishes covered with foil or plastic as much as possible, and store things in the refrigerator while they aren’t being used.
While you’re whole party is focused on your guests, try to take a little time for yourself as well. You’ve spent hours preparing for this event, and too often the night ends before you realize you haven’t had the chance to enjoy the company of your friends or taste your delicious food! Furthermore, standing in front of a hot grill all day can be grueling, so pass the tongs off for a bit, pour yourself a glass of that delicious sangria and enjoy the beautiful Chicago summer evening.
Here are some tips on how to grill your meats and vegetables to perfection
Posted by admin | April 26, 2011 | No Comments » |
Decorating your new condo can be an overwhelming challenge even to those with an eye for design. Luckily, in our world of digital technology, smart phones and web applications, decorating your home can be as simple as a download and install – okay, not quite that easy, but it’s the perfect way to get started! If you recently bought or began renting one of the many beautiful Chicago condos for sale, now is the ideal time to start exploring some of the best ‘apps’ to use for interior decorating tips, techniques, ideas and general all-encompassing help.
Here is a list of some of the best iPhone and Android “Apps” to help you plan and perform the decorating of your new condo.
This particular application is simple, but essential. Just what it sounds like, the iHandy Level turns your iPhone into an accurate level, allowing you to hang pictures, towel racks, bookshelves, art and anything else! This Apple gem is of the 5 tools in the “iHandy Carpenter toolkit”, and is fully functional with calibration capability. To calibrate the level, first find a flat surface. Second, hold the device upright (in portrait mode, with the home button at the bottom) and put the button edge of the device on the flat surface. Simply press the calibrate button to accurately set portrait mode. Now, rotate the phone to landscape mode, with the home button on the left, and follow the same instructions to calibrate horizontally.
Price: FREE
Review: “I’m not a guy that carries tools with me, and a small app like this has saved me more than a few trips to Home Depot and Lowes” – App User
A home decorating staple, this iPhone and Android application allows you to snap a photo of anything that catches your eye, whether you’re at the mall shopping for clothes or out to dinner with a friend, and then it finds a color match among Benjamin Moore’s 3,300+ paint colors. This app encourages you to share your favorite colors on Facebook, Twitter and e-mail, so you can get immediate advice and opinions from your friends and family. Furthermore, you can save pictures and their coordinating colors to your favorites as well as group colors to create personalized combos.
Price: FREE
Review: “This app works smoothly and great to have hundreds of beautiful color swatches in your pocket to play with” – App User
Similar to Color Capture, this application allows you to capture a color that inspires you, and simply match it to one of the 1,500 Sherwin-Williams paint colors. You can either create a custom palette or ask Sherwin-Williams for colors that compliment your inspiration color. If you aren’t quite satisfied, you can even fine tune colors using lightness, saturation and hue features. Most importantly, you can save colors to your “My Saved Colors” library in order to complete palettes or share with your friends and family via Facebook and e-mail.
Price: FREE
Review: “We were sitting in a restaurant, found this app while waiting for our food…took an iPhone screenshot of a room we liked. Then, opened the photo in this app, and found the color of the room! All before the appetizers came! Tomorrow we will be buying the paint” – App User
Created by interior designer Mark Lewison, this application has a plethora of helpful features including shopping lists, measurement tools, layout planners, etc. This app is designed for a more professional approach to home decorating, allowing you to customize your rooms through intricate virtual planning. It encourages you to take pictures of actual finishes, fabrics, rugs and flooring from your favorite manufacturers and “skin” them onto any item or surface in your room using your iPhone camera or images from your photo library. There is also a Presets Palette, which offers pre-loaded color, pattern, wood and stone options. One unique aspect is the ability to instantly measure any two points in your room with their new precision touch crosshairs measure tool. The updated version even allows you to utilize a new Room Gallery to backup and publish your room designs, move rooms to another floor plan, create room templates and collaborate with other designers, friends, family or other app users.
Price: $2.99
Review: “This app has excellent interface and very user friendly. Accurate measurement! Just exactly what I needed while I’m on the go created an idea for the next project.” – App User
Get serious about knowing your product! This application is a pocket guide to woods from around the world, including information about durability, sustainability and color. It also includes a wood glossary, illustrated cutting tips and techniques, dimensional lumber conversions, thickness measuring screen, as well as a pilot hole and nail size reference. One of the great capabilities of this particular application is its functionality with or without Internet connection.
Price: $2.99
Review: “If you need to show your customers what choices to use for cabinets or flooring and fill them in on info of each wood’s characteristics, this is the perfect app to use!” – App User
This application is essential if you’re planning the proper use of a space. Home Sizer allows you to enter the dimensions and name of each room while it calculates the area of the room as well as the cumulative usable square footage and estimate gross square footage of the entire house. There is also a ‘notes’ field for each room you create, so you can keep track of room-by-room ideas or to-do lists.
Price: $2.99
Review: “I like the ability to now not only design my home size, but get some idea what it might cost or be worth” – App User
The Convert app is essentially a unit calculator with simplicity and usability, including a live update of currency conversation values. This application has value extending far beyond interior decorating; however, when it comes to shopping for imported furniture for your new condo, the Convert is a must-have.
Price: $2.99
Review: “It’s very easy to use, and I can convert very quickly. Tried a few other similar apps, but none could be this fast!” – App User
Sometimes inspiration is the most important part of home decorating. If you’re not ready for paint palettes, levels and unit converters, the Dream Home App offers a wide range of design ideas for every room in your condo. Keep up with the latest home design trends, browse through images and draw insight and motivation from professional interior designers worldwide. You can filter your search for interiors by room type, style and color. Dream Home features hi-res photos, zoom capabilities, favorites/popular organization folder, user-submitted interiors and the ability to view offline.
Price: $0.99
Review: “This app has been a huge help as far as finding styles I like and giving me ideas. I feel like I’m looking through a magazine, just without all of the advertisements. Awesome app!” – App User
Posted by admin | April 19, 2011 | No Comments » |
Stressful, disorganized, disheveled. These are the first words that tend to come to mind before a big move. But it doesn’t have to be this way. With the right packing strategy and these helpful packing tips, you can make your move into one of our downtown Chicago condos easy and stress free. Take a look at our tips below:
Make Lists and Stay Organized
When it comes to moving, keeping an inventory is crucial. As you pack make sure to keep a list of what’s in each of your boxes. This helps you know what’s been stowed and what hasn’t. Plus, it makes it easier to track down items during the unpacking process. To save you additional time, clearly number and label your boxes so the movers know exactly where to put each box.
Keep Things Together
Coffee Cups, Plates, Silverware…and underwear? While it might save you time in the short-term, mixing your cargo together can make unpacking a nightmare. Make sure you’re boxing items based on the room they’ll go in – don’t mix your kitchen supplies with your basement storage. By keeping the cargo organized by room you can save yourself hours in unpacking time.
Vacuum Seal Your Clothing
If you love your clothes, but you’re short on space consider vacuum sealing your socks, underwear, and t-shirts. Vacuum sealing your clothes you can save up to 75% of packing space and can even protect them from dirt and dust on long moves across the country. Plus, it’s a relatively easy task to perform. Simply, stuff your clothes in a garbage bag, cover the vacuum hose with the opening of the bag, turn the vacuum on, and voila! You’ve got a set of shrink-wrapped sweaters ready for storage.
Follow the “30 Pound” Rule
As you pack, take your back into consideration. Heavy boxes lead to injuries and can even collapse under the weight of your cargo. Generally, boxes should weigh no less than 30 pounds, so keep this in mind as you organize yourself for the big move. Additionally, make sure your heavy items are packed towards the bottom of the box. This will help your smaller items from getting crushed and makes the box easier to carry.
Keep your Valuables in the Car, not the Moving Truck
Passports, birth certificates, and expensive jewelry have no place in the back of a moving truck. Instead of creating a box for your valuables, pack them in your luggage and pack them in your car, not in the moving truck. However, if you’re strapped for space, stash your jewelry or expensive antiques at the bottom of a miscellaneous box with an unassuming name like “Miscellaneous Kitchen Supplies.” However, regardless of where you put your stuff, make sure you’re covered by your homeowner’s insurance for the move. If you aren’t, you might want to purchase additional insurance from the mover.
The moving process is never fun, but hopefully out list of easy to follow packing tips will make your next move into one of our downtown Chicago condos a little less stressful.
Posted by admin | April 19, 2011 | No Comments » |
The convenience of an onsite gym in your Chicago luxury condo inspires many to take an active interested in achieving a healthy lifestyle. However, the intimate and personalized routine that develops can sometimes create a tense atmosphere among other gym-goers. Knowing a few etiquette tips can help you appreciate the amenities at your disposal, while protecting your neighborly reputation.
Here are a few tips to help make your gym experience respectful and enjoyable.
Share equipment. If you’re doing multiple sets on the same machine, it is common courtesy to let others ‘work-in’ during your rest periods. If you are on a rigid workout plan, you are often engaging in multiple ‘reps’ on the same machine, however you can easily avoid frustration and confrontation by simply allowing others to jump in.
Clean up. Not only is cleaning equipment after use sanitary, but it’s also respectful to both gym employees and fellow gym members. Most gyms offer strategically located wipes or spray bottles/towels in order to promote this behavior. If you like the gym you belong to, help maintain its equipment and cleanliness so you can continue to enjoy the atmosphere and amenities for many years.
Exercise, not socialize. If you enjoy socializing while exercising, it’s extremely important to remember that it is not a preference that suits everyone’s “work-out personality.” Some people utilize the gym as both a place to improve physical health and to meet people, however some gym-goers are a little more hardcore and prefer an interrupted mental state while exercising.
Appropriate noise level. Whether it’s talking to the person next to you, listening to music in your headphones, chatting on your cell phone or grunting underneath the weight of a machine, it’s extremely important to maintain an appropriate volume level so as not to disturb the rest of the patrons.
Respect equipment. Increasing your weights and pushing your limits is important to any avid gym member, however, there is no need to use equipment that is simply too heavy. Dropping or throwing weights down after use is not only damaging to the equipment, but it could you put you and those around you in a great deal of danger. If you are considering increasing your weight, consider using a spotter to help you out until you feel more comfortable.
Dress appropriately. It’s important to remember that the gym is not your private home, and though it’s great to be confident, it’s important to maintain a comfortable atmosphere for all users. Try not to wear outfits that are too revealing or distracting. It’s also important to wash your workout clothes as often as possible to avoid unwanted odor at the gym and in your home or car.
It’s sometimes difficult to remember these manners and protocols when you’re mind is ‘in the zone’, but polite behavior is a simple action that benefits workers, building managers and tenants alike. If you appreciate a clean respectful gym, then you can help maintain that luxury atmosphere by adhering to these simple tips.
Posted by admin | April 13, 2011 | No Comments » |
A spectacular new penthouse condominium with unrivalled views of Chicago at the apex of the internationally-acclaimed Aqua tower in Chicago’s rising Lakeshore East neighborhood has been brought to market by Magellan Development Group.
The split two-bedroom, 2-1/2-bathroom plan offers more than 1,800-square-feet of living space on the 81st floor of the most celebrated new building in Chicago and arguably the entire U.S.
Floor-to-ceiling windows accentuating nearly 14-foot ceilings coupled with approximately 600-square-feet of curved balcony space provide spectacular views of Lake Michigan, Millennium Park, Navy Pier and the most arresting cityscape in America.
Listing at $1.2 million, the floor plan of residence 8106 focuses on open living, dining and kitchen layouts.
“All 264 condominium residents at Aqua, the lowest of which on the 53rd floor are actually higher than most penthouses in the city. But you’ve never seen anything like this. It literally takes your breath away,” suggested Leila Zammatta, president of Magellan Realty.
Rivaling its views and layout are the top-of-line finishes, notes Zammatta. A gracious marble foyer opens to hardwood flooring throughout the living area. The kitchen is highlighted with Snaidero cabinetry, granite countertops and Subzero-, Wolf- and Miele-brand appliances.
Bathrooms feature marble floors and countertops. The huge master bath provides a separate shower and luxurious jetted tub. The second bedroom has its own en-suite bath. All closets walk-in closets in the residence are organized.
Continuing Reading…
Posted by admin | April 8, 2011 | No Comments » |
You’re Invited to an Exclusive Lakeshore East Resident Event at Public House!
400 N. State Street
Tuesday, April 19th
8:00 – 11:00pm
Complimentary Vodka Drinks from 8:00 – 9:00pm
Reception includes complimentary admission, express entry and (1) hour of complimentary vodka cocktails!
RSVP: Events@LakeshoreEast.com
MANDATORY: Full name and email address for all guests & friends!
*Guest list will be given to Premier Events to manage the exclusive event.
Posted by admin | April 7, 2011 | No Comments » |
Leila Zammatta, president of Magellan Realty, was one of only five Chicago-area Realtors, and the lone woman, to receive the highest award for 2010 production from the Chicago Assn. of Realtors. There are about 12,000 Realtors in the association.
The five Realtors reached the Platinum level in both unit and sales volume based on sales of more than 160 units and dollar volume of more than $50 million.
Magellan Realty LLC is an affiliate of Magellan Development Group, a leading Chicago real estate developer.
“As much as it recognizes individual achievement, we feel that this honor is a confirmation of the effort and experience that have made Magellan Realty LLC, Magellan’s sales team, a leader in the Chicagoland real estate market with a productive network of client contacts and strong affiliations with the brokerage community,” said Zammatta.
Focal point of the group’s current sales activity is Lakeshore East, the award-winning $4 billion mixed-use development in the rapidly growing New Eastside.
Rising in the heart of downtown Chicago, steps from world-class attractions Michigan Avenue and Millennium Park, Lakeshore East spans 28 acres, believed to be the largest parcel of downtown land under development in a major U.S. city. The blossoming neighborhood in the rapidly growing New Eastside incorporates all the elements of a traditional city community, a lifestyle center that includes homes, retail, recreational opportunities and amenities such as a lush award-winning 6-acre public park and even a preschool scheduled to open this summer.
Posted by admin | April 5, 2011 | No Comments » |
The Northwestern Brain Tumor Institute (NBTI) is the official charity of the 2011 Magellan Development Chicago Spring Half Marathon, 10K and Junior Dash. The race will take place Sunday, May 15, at 7 a.m., in The Park at Lakeshore East, located just north of Millennium Park at Field Drive and Randolph Street. Funds raised will benefit NBTI programs and brain tumor research.
Mission behind the Charity: Northwestern Brain Tumor Institute (NBTI)
NBTI is a comprehensive program which merges clinical research with medical and surgical treatment for brain and spinal tumor patients. The Institute offers state-of-the-art clinical care while also providing the resources and support necessary for patients and their families to meet the challenges of living with a brain tumor. The institute is a collaboration between Northwestern Memorial Hospital, the Robert. H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, and Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.
This is the second year that Magellan Development has supported NBTI. The company chose to support the Institute after Louis Berger, the late husband of Robin Loewenberg Berger, chief marketing officer of Magellan Development, was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Funds from this year’s race will benefit NBTI and the Louis A. Berger Memorial Fund to advance brain tumor research.
“May is National Brain Tumor Awareness Month and we want to help increase awareness of brain cancer and continue to raise funds in support of life-saving research and clinical trials that can lead to better
treatment and ultimately a cure” said Robin Loewenberg Berger, Chief Marketing Officer of Magellan Development, co-chair of the event. The weekend kicks off with a VIP auction and pre-race dinner on Saturday May 14th at Aqua and continues with a race-day experience on Sunday, May 15th.
VIP sponsorship opportunities are available which include tickets to the Run in Style VIP Sponsor Dinner with food creations from The Palm, live entertainment and auction on Saturday, May 14, from 7 to 10 p.m., entries to the Magellan Spring Half Marathon and 10K on Sunday, May 15th, admission to the pre-race festivities and other great VIP experiences. The event will be hosted by ABC-7 anchor Kathy Brock and Chicago Sun-Times and FOX Chicago entertainment reporter Bill Zwecker.
“We are extremely grateful for the support of Magellan and the race organizers who are shining a spotlight on our cause,” said James Chandler, MD, surgical director of neuro-oncology and co-director of the Institute. “Support from the community is vital in helping increase brain cancer awareness and to raise funds which support the life-saving research that helps us find better treatment options and ultimately, a cure.”
NBTI physicians, nurses and other staff will be amongst the runners participating in the Magellan Development race. “It’s a wonderful experience to join hundreds of other runners in raising awareness and funds for brain tumor research and care,” said Jeffrey Raizer, MD, medical director of neuro-oncology and co-director of the Institute, who is captain of Team Fund-Raizer. “Each day, I see determination and strength in my patients, which inspires me as I train and run this race. It’s thrilling to have a community partner like Magellan Development that is so supportive and committed to our cause.”
Runners are able to dedicate their race experience to the fight against brain cancer. They can register online, start their own teams to raise money and encourage friends and family members to contribute to the cause. Registration for the race is available at www.chicagospringhalf.com. To learn more about VIP Sponsor Packages and how to create, join or support a fundraising team, visit www.braintumorinstitute.org.
For information about the Northwestern Memorial Foundation, visit http://www.nmh.org/nm/nmfoundation.
Posted by admin | April 4, 2011 | No Comments » |
Adding a significant new dimension to its evolution as ‘a village in the heart of the city,’ Magellan Development Group has announced plans for a preschool program to be launched at the start of the next school year at its Lakeshore East community.
Designed for youngsters aged two to five, the Chalk Preschool of Lakeshore East will be situated on the ground floor of The Tides luxury apartment tower at 360 E. South Water St.
“We view this as an important new element supporting our goal of creating a diverse lifestyle center that includes homes, retail, and hotel space along with diverse recreational opportunities and extraordinary amenities like our award-winning Park at Lakeshore East,” said Magellan co-CEO Joel Carlins.
Added co-CEO Jim Loewenberg: “We’ve come a long way in transforming what was a forlorn site that served as a transshipment port serving Chicago’s growing economy in the mid 19th century, an Illinois Central railroad freight yard and terminus and, most recently, a par-3, nine-hole urban golf course into the most vibrant new community in Chicago. This is an important step in that direction.”
The three-classroom facility will have a separate secure entrance for a diverse program of child-centered learning activities.
Chalk preschool offers two, three or five full-day programs with a choice of days for those attending two or three full days, subject to availability. The school will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily. Children can be dropped off between 7:30 and 9:15 a.m. and picked up at any time.
Celebrated for its eclectic architecture, outstanding quality and extraordinary location, the $4 billion, 28-acre mixed-use development is believed to be the largest parcel of downtown land under development in a major U.S. city.
Residential developments at Lakeshore East currently include seven completed and occupied buildings. They include the 29-story Lancaster, the community’s first condominium building with 209 homes; The Shoreham, a 46-story apartment tower with 548 residences; The Regatta, a 44-story condominium building with 325 units; The Chandler; a 35-story condominium building with 304 condo homes; 340 on The Park, a 62-story condominium tower with 344 units and the 51-story The Tides, the community’s second rental property with 607 luxury units; and most recently, the 82-story Aqua, which is the first high-rise in the city designed uniquely to combine condominiums, rental apartments, hotel and retail spaces.
The Benton Place Parkhomes, an enclave of 25 gracious townhomes, have also been completed as have nine Parkhomes designed by Aqua Architect Jeanne Gang in the podium of internationally-acclaimed Aqua tower. A diverse retail component of the community already includes a Fifth Third Bank facility, Café RoM gourmet coffee shop and a CVS pharmacy.
Roundy’s Supermarkets will anchor the Village Market, now under construction, with a 50,000-square-foot Mariano Fresh Market. Chicago’s first upscale III Forks restaurant patterned after successful operations in Austin and Dallas in Texas and Boca Raton, Jacksonville and Palm Beach, Florida, will occupy 13,000 square of Village Market and Black Coffee Gallery, founded in Guadalajara, Mexico in 2008, has leased 3,000 square feet to introduce its unique coffee shop to Chicago.
For additional information about Chalk Preschool please telephone (312) 565-7300 or visit the website, www.chalkpreschool.com.
Posted by admin | April 4, 2011 | No Comments » |
