Early construction work at Optima Chicago Center II (220 East Illinois Street) is really Grand, isn’t it? What we mean is, if you want to see what’s going on at Optima these days, you need to go one block north of Illinois Street, to Grand Avenue. That’s where you’ll find crews burrowing into the soil, creating all sorts of geometric shapes and forms.
The 54-story tower by architect David Hovey will deliver 381 units to the Streeterville neighborhood. The developer, Optima Real Estate in Glencoe (Optima Construction is the general contractor), is best known around these parts for their neighboring tower, the original Optima Chicago Center. That one opened in 2013. Expect the 2nd iteration to be ready in 2017.
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- Optima Chicago Center II, 220 East Illinois Street
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- Work at 220 E Illinois Street is best seen from Grand Avenue.
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- Climbing, pouring, hammering away.
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- Work ramps up at Optima Chicago Center II
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- The togography of 22 East Illinois Street, from Grand.
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- From street level, crews getting busy.
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- Gratuitous crane shot.
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- Crane. Skyline. Craneline?
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- The stairway providing access to Illinois Street.
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- Sneaking a peek from the alley.
