Luxury meets convenience at Arkadia apartments on Near West Side

Arkadia is a region of Greece, known through the ages for its natural beauty and pastoral lifestyle. Such was the vision for Arkadia Tower, a luxury apartment building standing on the cusp of Greektown. In this case, the modern-day interpretation means panoramic city views and an abundance of leisure time pursuits.

The 33-story tower is a stylish newcomer to the Near West Side neighborhood where Greek is still spoken. In a nod to that heritage, the facade wrapping the building’s first five floors is decoratively punched with scenes of the Acropolis and marathon runners. The former surface parking lot was developed by White Oak Realty Partners of Rosemont and opened in January.

Business manager Tracy Vegeler of Lincoln Property Residential said move-ins have been brisk since the first tenants arrived at the end of February.

Among them are young and mid-career professionals, graduate students from nearby University of Illinois at Chicago, singles, couples and a few families.

Many residents appreciate the close proximity to downtown but without the congestion, Vegeler said.

“There is a real neighborhood feeling here, but a quick walk across the highway, and you’re in the city,” she said.

Greektown is an enclave of low-rise buildings and tree-lined streets, most famous for the lineup of Greek restaurants along Halsted Street. There are other restaurants in the area as well, plus grocery stores, bars, shops, banks, a pharmacy, a Crowne Plaza hotel and the National Hellenic Museum. Mary Bartelme Park has a dedicated doggie exercise area. In addition, Arkadia Tower has 20,000 square feet of retail space still under development.

The pet-friendly, smoke-free building has 350 apartments in 19 floor plans on floors 6 through 33. They include studio, one-, and two-bedroom units as well as two-bedroom and three-bedroom penthouses. Standard features include solar shades, 9-foot ceilings, white quartz countertops, white glass mosaic tile backsplash, two-tone cabinetry, stainless steel appliances, garbage disposal, full-size washer and dryer, walk-in closets, bedroom carpets and vinyl plank flooring elsewhere. Balconies and floor-to-ceiling windows are per plan.

Penthouse units on the 33rd floor have upgraded floors, appliances and finishes; ceiling fans and private terraces.

Vegeler says every unit has an unobstructed city view. Residents on the east side wake to natural light, while those on the west side can watch the sunsets.

A public parking garage occupies the first five floors.

Three models are open for touring. Number 1301, a corner unit, is the largest two-bedroom unit with 1,168 square feet and a private balcony. The living room, dining room and kitchen are clustered in an open space with floor-to-ceiling windows on two sides. The kitchen is defined by cabinets and appliances against one wall and an island with built-in storage. Both bedrooms have baths and walk-in closets. The master bath has a dual vanity and frameless glass shower enclosure. The second bath, with entry to both the bedroom and the central hallway, has a tub.

Visitors and residents enter the building through a revolving door to the two-story, glass-enclosed lobby, decorated in modernist furnishings of gray and white. The reception desk is attended round the clock. Behind a discreetly positioned door is a pet grooming station and entrance to the outdoor dog run. A monument staircase leads to the business offices on the second floor.

The sixth-floor amenity level invites outdoor and indoor recreation. Indoor amenities include a fitness center, locker rooms with towel service, party room with full chef’s kitchen, game room with billiards, technology lounge and a Starbucks beverage and snack bar. On the 24,000-square-foot landscaped roof deck above the garage are an outdoor pool, hot tub, fireside lounge and five grilling stations with dining niches.

“The pool deck faces west, so people who work all day can get a couple hours of sunlight,” Vegeler said.

Arkadia Tower

765 W. Adams St., Chicago

arkadiatower.com

312-454-5001

Apartments: Prices based on availability and subject to change. Studio, 510 to 565 square feet, from $1,720; one-bedroom, 596 to 847 square feet, from $2,130; two-bedroom, 1,005 to 1,168 square feet, from $2,950. Penthouses, with two or three bedrooms, 1,200 to 1,589 square feet, from $6,250.

Lease terms: 12-month lease. Application fee, $50; administration fee, $400, both nonrefundable. Onsite storage locker, $50 a month. No security deposit.

Renter’s insurance: Required.

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Utilities: Mandatory monthly utility package includes water and sewer, natural gas, trash, cable and Internet. Studio, $110; one-bedroom, $130; two-bedroom, $175. Residents pay electric bill separately.

Parking: Controlled-access public garage on floors 1 through 5 with street and tower entrances. Reserved spaces are $285 a month; nonreserved spaces are $225 a month. Charging stations are available.

Pets: $400 nonrefundable dog fee; $250 nonrefundable cat fee. No weight limit, but some breed restrictions apply.

Smoking policy: Smoke-free.

Amenities: Solar shades, 9-foot ceilings, white quartz countertops, two-tone cabinetry, white glass mosaic tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, garbage disposal, in-unit full-size washer and dryer, carpet in bedrooms, vinyl plank floors elsewhere, walk-in closets. Outdoor amenities include 24,000-square-foot landscaped roof deck pool, hot tub, fireplace lounge and five grilling stations with dining niches. Indoor amenities include fitness center, game room, party room with full chef’s kitchen, Starbucks bar, dog wash, dry cleaning drop-off and pickup. Blocks from bus stop and train stations.

Pamela Dittmer McKuen is a freelance writer.