In the news...Luxury rentals in the heart of Orland Park

Design Collective worked with Flaherty & Collins providing Landscape Architecture and Interior Design Services for Ninety7Fifty on the Park, as featured in the Chicago Tribune on Friday, February 14, 2014.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/classified/realestate/apartments/ct-mre-0216-apartment-hunt-20140214,0,376797.story?page=1

Luxury rentals in the heart of Orland Park

By: Sharon Stangenes, Special to the Tribune

Orland Park is a village of contrasts, where numerous shopping and dining options are balanced by a wealth of parks, open space, bicycle trails and a convenient commute, thanks to three Metra stations serving the southwest suburb.

Ninety7Fifty on the Park, a 295-unit apartment development that opened last spring, is positioned to take advantage of those amenities. Situated near the intersection of La Grange Road and 143rd Street, the mixed-use complex is the first phase of the Main Street Triangle project that village officials hope will revitalize the downtown.

The apartments anchor what is envisioned as a pedestrian-friendly, transit-oriented neighborhood of shops and housing with Crescent Park, a scenic green space across from the 143rd Street Metra station, as the focal point.

Nearby are the village's historic district and civic corridor, an array of government and civic buildings.

Ninety7Fifty is the first foray into the Chicago market by Indianapolis-based Flaherty & Collins Properties. The village is an investor in the development, which displeased some taxpayers. But the property has leased briskly with about 70 percent of units rented in mid-January, according to senior property manager Vito Zehler. "There is nothing like it in the south suburbs," he said.

Amano Vivere Cafe occupies about 1,200 square feet of the more than 4,000 square feet of commercial space on the street level of the complex.

With finishes and amenities comparable to downtown Chicago's new upscale apartment buildings, Ninety7Fifty expects to tap a similar market of renters.

Early residents include empty nesters and young professionals "who grew up in the area and work downtown and are coming home to be closer to family," as well as newcomers to the Chicago area who have chosen to live in the suburbs but are commuting to downtown, Zehler said.

Residents can choose from nine one-bedroom and eight two-bedroom floor plans. There also are two two-bedroom, two-level duplex plans.

All units have 9-foot ceilings, a balcony or patio, washer and dryer, stainless steel appliances, 42-inch maple cabinets with a wine rack, granite counter and vanity tops. Parking for one vehicle in the garage is included in the rent.

The building's design incorporates contemporary and traditional elements. Those stepping inside the north-facing main door enter a light-filled, elegant two-story lobby. The brick exterior reflects the materials used in the 143rd Street train station's traditional architecture.

With more than 1,110 square feet, the Mainstreeter model on the third floor of the building is one of eight two-bedroom options. While future development one day may add buildings, residents of Mainstreeter units have an unobstructed view of the McGinnis Slough wetlands and a forest preserve beyond Crescent Park.

The Mainstreeter has two bathrooms, one on either side of the central living/dining/kitchen area. The second bedroom is a bit smaller than the master bedroom and overlooks the balcony, which is accessible from the living/dining area. Both bedrooms feature wide windows and deep window sills. The master bath has dual sinks and a linen closet

The one-bedroom, one-bath Pacific floor plan is 756 square feet. The front door of the unit opens to the living/dining room with the kitchen to the right. The bedroom, walk-through closet and bath are to the left. One convenient feature is that the bath has two doors, one to the walk-through closet, which is off the master bedroom. The other opens to the living and dining space so guests who wish to use it do not have to go through the bedroom.

The ground-floor model has a patio overlooking the heated outdoor pool in the north courtyard, one of two private communal outdoor spaces in the complex. In addition, a fire pit with conversation area and several grills is in the pool area. The other courtyard, at the south part of the complex, has a "bark park" for this pet-friendly building as well as grills and a fire pit for residents to enjoy.

Many of the interior amenities are near the building's main entrance. Behind the lobby is the resident lounge with a dining bar, tables and seating for informal gatherings. The expansive room is divided by a two-sided fireplace. It has floor-to-ceiling windows looking into the pool area, a billiards table and comfortable seating scattered throughout. One end of the resident lounge opens to a theater room, which can be closed for privacy.

Next to the lobby is a two-story fitness center. Machines and other equipment are on the ground floor, and a metal spiral staircase inside the center leads to a quieter and more-secluded second-floor exercise space perfect for yoga and other classes.

Outside the second-floor fitness studio is an open loft lounge looking down to the entrance lobby. Equipped with workstations and computers, it has a seating area and conference room.