Date: Wednesday September 15, 1999
Builder: The Thrush Cos.
Community: Block Y
Contact: Debbie Szwast
(630) 782-4378

Sales now are underway for the mid-rise soft lofts at Block Y, an award-winning community in Chicago’s West Loop being developed by The Thrush Companies.

Thrush is holding a ground breaking ceremony Oct. 2 to introduce the mid-rise soft lofts. But buyers who purchase now can take advantage of special preview pricing, which ranges from the high $100,000s to the high $300,000s.

The soft lofts are being built in the former Bee Bindery Building, which will feature a new four-story steel and masonry addition to the existing concrete loft construction. In all, 46 units, including 32 soft lofts and 14 concrete lofts, will be available in the six-story structure. Plans offer 832 to 1,657 square feet of living space, one to three bedrooms, and one to three baths.

"This is an exclusive opportunity for the sophisticated buyer," said David Chase, principal of The Thrush Companies. "The building boasts a ‘boutique’ design – it offers only a limited number of lofts, which translates into more personal and private living. Additionally, all homes are filled with luxury interior appointments plus they showcase the characteristics that make lofts so appealing."

For example, renovated homes will have exposed columns and ductwork with 12-foot-high ceilings on the first floor and 10-foot-high ceilings on the second floor. First and second floor units also will feature exposed brick on exterior walls. New construction units on the third through sixth floors will have concealed columns and beams, concealed ductwork, 10-foot-high drywall ceilings, and finished drywall interior walls. Finished drywall is found on all interior walls, as well.

In addition, there are only eight lofts per floor on the top four floors. And each spacious corner unit has two bedrooms and two baths, said Chase. Plus, the building includes guest screening via an intercom with video/phone feature.

One of the most important elements of these soft lofts, according to Chase, is the incredible cityscape, courtyard and park views residents will experience. Many homes will overlook the city’s renowned skyline.

"Block Y is directly across from Skinner Park, so many homeowners will be able to look out over open green space," he said. "On top of that, we’re preserving more than 40 percent of the 3.8-acre Block Y site as green space so even more residents have attractive views."

To allow homeowners to take advantage of these views, lofts will feature private balconies and rooftop terraces. Decorative wrought iron or cedar fencing accents outdoor spaces, on select residences. Private indoor heated parking also is available within the building.

"This is an excellent opportunity to get in on the ground floor because as construction progresses, prices will rise," said Chase. "The investment potential for someone who purchases now is phenomenal – just look at the rising value of housing in the West Loop overall."

According to recent statistics from the Chicago Association of Realtors, for example, condo prices are up more than 30 percent. And the West Loop is one of the hottest markets in the city.

Adding to the value of Block Y are the numerous standard inclusions in the soft lofts. Living areas, for example, boast ceramic tile flooring in the kitchen and foyer, per plan; luxury wall-to-wall carpeting in the Great Room, bedrooms and dens; solid-core entry and interior doors with brushed chrome hardware; gas fireplaces with contemporary built-in designs; wall sconces in foyers and track lighting over fireplaces; and spacious closets with wire shelving. Washers and dryers also are included, per plan.

Energy- and sound-efficient features include individually controlled, high-efficiency, gas, forced-air heating; humidifiers and central air conditioning; exposed spiral duct work and diffusers on first and second floors; concealed duct work on third through sixth floors; enormous thermal-pane, insulated glass and aluminum windows; a central hot water system; and individually metered gas and electric.

Kitchens have General Electric white-on-white appliances, including side-by-side refrigerators with water/ice makers, self-cleaning gas oven/ranges, microwaves with built-in exhaust, and multicycle dishwashers. For a contemporary look, kitchens also feature European-style, full-front cabinets by Canac with 36-inch upper cabinets as standard; spacious islands, per plan; decorative laminate countertops with backsplashes; double-bowl stainless steel sinks with Moen faucets and single-lever handles; under-sink garbage disposers; track lighting over work areas; and under-cabinet fluorescent lighting.

Baths boast European-style, full-front cabinets by Canac; laminate vanity tops with backsplashes; self-rimming vanity bowls, per plan; Moen vanity fixtures; ceramic tile flooring and tub/shower surrounds; decorative mirrors; recessed medicine cabinets; and cosmetic (theatrical) light bars. Primary baths have luxurious six-foot soaking tubs, secondary baths have enameled five-foot tubs and showers, and powder rooms have elegant pedestal sinks.

Soft lofts are prewired with telephone jacks in the kitchen and master bedroom, cable or Direct TV in living room and master bedroom, and high-speed Internet access, per plan.

In addition to the soft lofts, new construction concrete lofts and heavy timber lofts also are available at Block Y. Sales have surpassed 90 percent for Phase I’s 65 heavy timber lofts and sales are underway for Phase II’s concrete lofts. Thrush is building 112 concrete lofts in a new six-story structure. Homes have 756 to 2,442 square feet of space, one to three bedrooms, one to three baths, and are priced from $139,900 to $488,900. The building also has a 355-stall parking garage and 27,000 square feet of retail shopping.

This fall, Thrush will open sales for 33 luxury four-story townhomes at Block Y. Homes will be built with masonry and steel construction, and will feature 2,198 to 2,699 square feet of living space, two or three bedrooms, two or three baths. The three spacious models also will boast first-floor family rooms, penthouse media rooms, large decks with decorative iron railing off the kitchen, and penthouse skydecks with cedar privacy fencing. Prices are expected to range from $395,000 to $695,000.

In all, Block Y will feature 256 heavy timber and concrete lofts, mid-rise condominiums,

Skyplexes ™ and new-construction townhomes. Overall prices range from the mid $100,000s to the high $600,000s.

Block Y is next to Skinner Elementary School and across from the police academy and Whitney Young High School, which is rated as one of the top three public high schools in the country.

The award-winning sales center is located at 1330 West Monroe in Chicago’s West Loop. Two decorated models are open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. "Virtual tours" of two concrete loft units and one mid-rise are available on the computer in the sales center.