Wells Street Tower makes a point of promoting its height and its location advantage with the logo: “Overlooking the River and Printers Row.”
One of the ads for this 34-story condominium structure in the South Loop at 701 S. Wells St. also uses the “overlooking” theme with a headline stating, “We overlook nothing except the lake.”
With that in mind, prospective buyers checking models on the 23rd floor are probably delighted to find that from the high floors and certain units, slivers and sections of Lake Michigan can indeed be seen between and beyond the high-rises to the east.
For real city lovers, the views of the rest of Chicago to the South, West and North are pretty darn awesome. The city stretches from the streets below, the Chicago River right across Wells Street all the way to the horizon–stores, restaurants, converted lofts, American Invsco’s River City condos, railroad tracks and townhouses, rooftops, warehouses, industrial buildings, high-rises, smokestacks.
But, prospective buyers who put “views” at the top of their priority lists should never overlook what could conceivably obliterate some of the views one future day.
Especially while on some of those high floors–and later, during a walk around the neighborhood–prospects will want to check out parking and vacant lots.
In the case of Wells Street Tower, there are indeed a number of very large outdoor parking lots to the east and the south. There’s certainly no guarantee they’ll be parking lots forever.
Far more intriguing is the long empty lot on the river’s banks across Wells Street. Right now, it’s primarily grassy, with two dirt paths running the length of the lot–probably shortcuts and, as on the day I was scouting, a dog walker’s heaven.
On the chain-link fence surrounding the lot is a red sign that reads: “8 acres for sale . . . zonedfor residential/commercial/hotel/office.”
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Of course a lot of land has been available in the South Loop for a lot of years, but that red sign might well serve as a red flag. But, for those who don’t give a hoot about views (even though the windows here beg to be looked out from), Wells Street Tower has plenty to offer a confirmed city dweller who also enjoys a contemporary building.
The 34-story tower with 170 units, nestled between older red-brick buildings, is primarily glass and balconies; ground-level space apparently is reserved for retail, except for a smart-looking entry to the residences along with a really handsome tiled lobby in chocolate and creamy cappuccino tones.
Both models are easy to look at, with wide open living/dining/kitchen spaces and some curved walls that contribute to a feeling of loft-like living. Good-sized islands serve as dividers between living space and kitchens, which are, essentially, a wall of appliances, cabinets and counters.
The model that doubles as a sales center is a three bedroom, 2 1/2 bathroom unit with 1,689 square feet.
Probably the more popular model would be the largest of the building’s two bedroom, 2-bathroom units, with 1,263 square feet. Bedrooms are generally what I’d call city-sized, in the 10- or 11-foot by 12-foot category.
The shower/tub design in both master bathrooms could elicit a love-it-or-hate-it reaction. The full-sized tub (the width of the bathroom and against the wall) and oversized shower are literally side-by-side, with sliding glass doors outside the shower enclosing both.
Cozy? Clever? Cool? You can’t be neutral about this twosome.
The models’ plus points definitely include the windows (though I saw some workmanship or installation flaws on the walls, below the windows’ base); the modern approach in design; the upscale amenities including hardwood floors, solid-core doors, Jenn-Air and Maytag appliances, granite counters, 42-inch cabinets.
On the other hand, I think closet space is on the skimpy side (noticeable in the size of the master bedrooms’ walk-ins and the lack of bathroom linen closets).
However, something that bothers me might be overlooked during a cursory tour but really shows up in photos (I take them regularly in every room as a memory jogger):
There are some big and quite visible vents, I’d think for heating/cooling. The most jarring is the one in the smaller model that’s adjacent to the fireplace. It wouldn’t be there if it weren’t necessary, I guess, but I haven’t seen any such apparatus in such a prominent location before.
Ask about it.
Wells Street Tower
Address: 701 S. Wells St., Chicago
Developer: D2 Realty Cos.
Phone: 312-922-5100
Description: A 34-story, new construction contemporary condominium building with 170 units.
Prices: Base-priced from $269,000 to $404,000 for two bedroom, 2-bathroom units with 1,185 to 1,263 square feet; $454,000 to $465,000 for three bedroom, 2 1/2-bathroom units with 1,652 to 1,689 square feet. Estimated monthly assessments, $345 to $516. Deeded parking space, $30,000 and $35,000. Prices as of Oct. 22.
Amenities: Hardwood floors in living areas; carpeted bedrooms; Maytag washer/dryer; gas fireplace; Jenn-Air kitchen appliances, granite counters, 42-inch kitchen cabinets.
Neighborhood: South Loop, near Congress Expressway, in Printers Row area, across from the South Branch of the Chicago River.
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