How We Did It | Property Spotlight: The Orchard

Luxury is an overused word in real estate. True luxury is defined by its elegant restraint, attention to thoughtful design and commitment to refined living. This notion marked the foundation for the esteemed developer team of The Orchard Private Residences—Hines and McCaffery Inc. Our mission was to design the most luxurious condominium building ever conceptualized on the city’s North side. We started with the basic question of what the upper market desired in Lincoln Park that hadn’t been fulfilled.

This laid the groundwork for the building’s most innovative and highly sought features—generously sized, private garage parking with direct elevator access to private residences or foyers; large, private, heated terraces outfitted with gas, water and electric access for optimal utility; custom-quality finishes on par with the finest Single-Family Homes, graciously presented on one level.

We enlisted one of Chicago’s most reputable interior design firms, Soucie Horner, which had a global reach and reference point, to lead the team’s collaboration in bringing this vision to life. Over the course of 18 months, our talented team of developers, engineers, architects, interior designers and development and sales consultants met bi-weekly to review every aspect of the building with intense scrutiny devoted to floor plans.

Perfection is elusive. Yet, the 13 unique footprints within the building are the outcome of a focused effort to maximize the natural flow, light and inherent graciousness of the 32 residences. All of the homes feature formal entries with both open and traditional floor plans providing beautiful neighborhood views, east and west exposures for morning and afternoon light and living spaces distinguished from private, sleeping quarters. Design that lives elegantly today and for years to come.

We’ll take a look at the approach to our kitchens and bathrooms in a future edition.