The Thrush Companies, along with city officials, community leaders and homeowners, celebrated the ground breaking of the soft lofts at Block Y in Chicago's West Loop. Prior to the official opening, 12 of the 46 homes were sold.

On hand for the festivities were (photo, from left to right): George Thrush, Thrush president; Walter Burnett, alderman of the 27th Ward; David Chase, Thrush principal; Neil Tryba, associate, Fitzgerald & Associates Architects; Julie Burrows, department of planning and development, City of Chicago; Richard Lillie, Jr., Thrush principal; and William Wolk, Thrush principal.

Alderman Burnett said that Thrush has a reputation for community development, not just in the West Loop but throughout Chicagoland. He cited the impact that Thrush's Block X development has brought to the area and expressed his praise for Block Y, which he called a welcome addition to the West Loop neighborhood.

"Block Y has been years in the planning and thanks to the cooperation of the City of Chicago and we're seeing it come to fruition," said Chase. "We're thankful to the city for its assistance in zoning and planning issues and to the people of the West Loop for their involvement in the neighborhood, making it a wonderful place to live."

Chase then used the event as a platform to stress Thrush's commitment to the city's open green space policy with Block Y. In addition to being located directly across the street from Skinner Park, Block Y has a landscaped courtyard as its center attraction. A second landscaped courtyard provides even more outdoor open space within the community. Furthermore, homes at Block Y feature prominent outdoor spaces such as balconies with wrought iron fencing, huge terraces, and rooftop decks.

In all, more than 40 percent of the 3.8-acre development will be preserved as open space, which more than coincides with Mayor Daley's plan to "ensure that private development complements public open space goals" as stated in his CitySpace: An Open Space Plan For Chicago publication.

"Block Y is a model of how developers can work with the City of Chicago to create attractive and successful new communities that adhere to the mayor's commitment to preserving open green space," said Chase.

The ground breaking ceremony marked the beginning of construction on Block Y's mid-rise soft lofts. 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. In addition to the soft lofts, Block Y features heavy timber and concrete lofts, Skyplexes ™ and townhomes. Overall prices range from the mid $100,000s to the high $600,000s for the 256 homes.

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.

For more information on Block Y, telephone (312) 243-8500. Or visit the community's website at www.thrushrealestate.com/blocky.