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Following the topping out of Fifield Realty Company's NEXT development in March, crews have made steady progress on the interiors in preparation for occupancy. The 28-storey rental project is located at 347 West Chestnut at the meeting of Cabrini Green and River North, one of Chicago's most vibrant neighbourhoods, and increasingly home to highrises, restaurants, and nightclubs.
Matching the extensive range of services that the neighbourhood has to offer is a wide selection of amenities available exclusively to residents of NEXT. To get an idea of how these spaces are shaping up, City Ambassador harryc ventured inside the building with Fifield Realty Company, cataloguing his tour with a series of photographs.
Exposed concrete, plumbing, and ductwork define the upper level interiors of the building, which yield fantastic city views even on a foggy day. Purchasers of the penthouse units will have ample outdoor space in the form of expansive balconies accessed by oversized windows and doors. As finishings for the 310 units are put into place, a completed model unit gives us a glimpse of residents' living spaces. Nine-foot ceilings provide an airy atmosphere appointed with plank flooring, quartz countertops, and stainless steel appliances.
The amenities available to residents aim to rival those of any luxury development in the city. Probably the most unique — and one not visible during the tour — is Daisy, the designated 'house dog' that residents can borrow at their leisure. Besides that, the building includes a host of more traditional stationary services like a coffee bar, business centre, and conference room.
A large fitness centre and yoga studio — designed to completely replace a gym membership — occupies the sixth floor. Just outside, a sizeable pool deck and sun terrace feature chaise longues and cabanas for comfortable conversation and relaxation. Grilling stations are also provided for entertaining on warm nights, while an arcade gaming centre and golf simulator might prove more popular on soggy days.
Designed by Pappageorge Haymes Partners, the building is almost completely covered by blue glazing. The base looks a little more unfinished, with no signs of glass on the parking podium yet. When the project is complete and residents begin their move-ins — scheduled for Fall 2016 — 6,000 square feet of retail space will fill the ground level. With the 'L,' Chicago's rapid transit system, steps from the front door, residents will have easy and convenient access to the downtown core. The L has been one of the driving forces behind the physical changes in the area, with projects like 165 West Superior Street — seen in the image below rising in the distance — adding even more residential units to this bustling area.
Additional images and information can be found in the Database file linked below. Want to get involved in the discussion or share your photos? Check out the associated Forum thread or leave a comment at the bottom of this page.
