Hal, the rogue computer in the movie “2001: A Space Odyssey,” will not run amok at Skytech Lofts, the new condominium development in the West Loop.
But Hal, a user-friendly computer program, will be at the beck and call of all residents in the 146-unit building to be constructed at 1501 W. Madison St.
Named Skytech because of its high-tech amenities and views from the 9-story structure, it will offer one-, two- and three-bedroom units that range in size from 773 to 2,696 square feet and in price from $160,900 to $594,900.
Standard in each residence will be the Hal 2000 software package by Home Automated Living. Installed in buyers’ home computers, it will be able to control the environment by turning on (or off) lights, heating, air conditioning or appliances.
“Buyers can call home from the office or from a cell phone. The average homeowner won’t have to be a computer genius to operate it. The system is easy to implement,” said Charles Cornelius, principal in West Madison Developers, the co-developer of the project with New West Realty, also the marketing agent.
“Voice commands will operate the system,” he said. Hal then talks back to answer commands.
Cornelius added that the program can be upgraded to offer more functions, including providing information about traffic and the weather.
Construction of Skytech Lofts will begin in a month or two with completion in the late summer or early fall of 2002.
More Top Picks Pots Indoors
Available are 135 single-level units, seven two-story penthouses and four three-level townhouses at ground level.
Indoor parking is priced at $24,900 and outdoor parking at $21,900.
The brick building has been designed to be similar to Park 1500 Lofts, a residentially converted timber loft building immediately to the south. The sales center and models for Skytech are located in Park 1500.