Chicago's Signature Buildings: Living in a Landmark

Downtown Chicago condos have a certain cache, especially those in Chicago's tallest residential buildings. When you can refer to your building with one simple word and people know exactly where you live, you know you've reached a level of downtown Chicago living that is truly luxurious. Living in Chicago's tallest residential buildings also gives you access to the best locations, neighborhoods and amenities in the city.

Aqua
In the Lakeshore East community on the New East Side of Chicago, you'll find a new building with a design that will stop you in your tracks. This is Aqua-- Chicago's newest skyscraper that you can't miss with its wave-inspired architecture. Sitting at the confluence of the Chicago River and Lake Michigan, Aqua has incredible views of both bodies of water and the city skyline, and its location offers immediate access to the downtown Loop, Michigan Avenue shopping and Streeterville nightlife.
 

The condos of Aqua reside on floors 53 through 81, and each condo's beautiful views are enhanced by the uniquely shaped balconies, which are made to give each condo two or three different views of city. Additionally, Aqua's unique design is environmentally friendly-- the undulating balconies are easy for birds to see, preventing collisions. Additionally, the balconies provide shading from the sunlight, preventing heat gain during the summer and reducing cooling costs. Meanwhile, the concrete that is the main construction material of the building is a good conductor of heat and will radiate heat in the winter, keeping the building warm. This and other green features, like bamboo flooring and a green roof, make the Aqua lifestyle luxurious and green.
Plus, for a rare experience in urban living, you'll find a six-acre park with water features, a children's park, a dog park, running and biking paths and more than 120 varieties of plant life. The Lakeshore East Park has been named "Best New Park" and "Best Open Space" in Chicago-- so why not make it your front yard by living at Aqua? Along with cutting-edge amenities like media rooms, business centers, a health and fitness center, indoor basketball court and an 80,000-square-foot outdoor terrace, the Aqua lifestyle is characterized by luxury indoors and out.

The Trump Tower
Trump real estate specializes in an exclusive lifestyle! For starters, the Trump brand is synonymous with luxury. Within the building, there are 486 private residences, which also is home to a hotel and multiple restaurants and bars. Condominium owners in the building have all the amenities of the hotel, without having to check out! A 24-hour white glove door man, spa and concierge service are just the tip of the iceberg at Trump.

In addition to being near all the best of downtown Chicago dining, Trump-dwellers also have excellent dining options within their building. Sixteen-- a restaurant on, of course, the sixteenth floor of the building-- is the Tower's signature restaurant. It offers exceptional views of Lake Michigan, the Chicago River and the Wrigley Clock Tower along with eclectic New American cuisine. There's also The Terrace at Trump, an outdoor dining deck with the same beautiful views, boutique wines and handcrafted cocktails. Residents also have a built in nightlife hot spot in the sophisticated lounge, Rebar. Cocktails, bar food and sushi await.
Trump also has a variety of optional amenities to suit the most demanding resident: dry cleaning and laundry valet service, housekeeping, in-home dining and catering and designated parking.

The John Hancock Tower
Our final tower is the oldest and most recognizable as a Chicago landmark. While it hosts offices and its tourist attraction, the Hancock Observatory, there are also residences in Chicago's famous tower. Right on Michigan Avenue, there isn't a place in Chicago that is more central than the Hancock. Living at the hub of urban activity, you have immediate access to all of areas of Chicago through public transit.
 

Like the Trump Tower, Hancock residence owners live near great cuisine options, but also have access to great restaurants in their own building. The Signature Room on the 95th floor of the building is a formal dining experience with the best 360-degree views of Chicago imaginable. Its sister, The Signature Lounge, offers the same great views from the 96th floor and a loungey atmosphere for drinking cocktails and eating lighter fare. And the new Cafe Espression, where you can drink "coffee in the clouds," is the highest Lavazza cafe in the world, serving the kind of coffee most drunk in Italy.
Living in downtown Chicago condos in a recognizable landmark like the Aqua, Trump Tower or the John Hancock Tower might seem like a dream, but with the buyer's market still going strong, it might be more achievable than you have ever imagined! Get in touch with a Gold Coast real estate expert to start your landmark lifestyle.