Ryan Companies and Lincoln Property Company Complete Aurélien Luxury Apartment Tower

Three years after beginning the design process and approximately two years after the start of construction, Ryan Companies US, Inc., along with its development partner Lincoln Property Company, has completed Aurélien a $100 million luxury apartment tower and the company’s first major development in the City of Chicago.

Aurélien, a 31-story, 368-unit luxury apartment tower designed by Ryan, is located at the southeast corner of Clark and Chestnut streets on a 41,000-square-foot land site within Chicago’s prominent Gold Coast neighborhood.

“Chicago has an accomplished and storied history for world class architecture and high-rise development projects. With the development of Aurélien, we are proud join an elite list of architects, developers and contractors who have made a significant contribution to Chicago’s skyline,” said Tim Hennelly, President of Ryan’s Great Lakes Region.

With construction complete, Ryan has turned the operation of Aurélien over to Lincoln Property Company which is responsible for ongoing leasing and management of the property. The first residents have started moving into the tower and the property is nearly 50 % leased. 

In addition to Ryan and Lincoln Property Company, other prominent development team members include Daiwa House of Texas, primary equity investor; US Bank, construction financing; Antunovich Associates, Architect of Record; Studio K, Interior Designer; Ryan A +E, Design Architect and TGRWA, Structural Engineer.

Aurélien includes 78 studios and convertibles, 209 one-bedroom units, 75 two-bedroom units and 6 penthouse apartments. Unit sizes, except for the penthouses, range from 564 square feet to 1,245 square feet. Penthouse units range from 1,165 square feet to 3,339 square feet.

One of the many unique storylines of Aurélien is that this project, in the heart of some of Chicago’s greatest architecture, was designed to embrace this historical significance.

According to Mike Ryan, President of Ryan A+E, the design of Aurélien includes two notable yet contrasting Chicago architectural styles. Chicago’s turn-of-the century architecture is evident in the design’s buff-colored solid massing which is dotted with playful punched openings. This style meets the street in a traditional manner, with granite cladding and large storefront window bays. This design wraps the majority of the building’s east, west, and south facades.

To provide a measure of contrast, Chicago’s Miesian tradition is incorporated into the north end of the building through a revealing, all-glass massing. This treatment creates a dramatic vertical expression over the building entry.  The striking presence of the glass wraps horizontally over the top of the building where it meets an outdoor amenity terrace, 300 feet above the street. Interior spaces complement this aesthetic while weaving in a few surprises for the Chicago market. 

“My favorite quality of this project is how transformed the immediate neighborhood feels. What was once a surface parking lot with a bank drive-thru is now a thriving extension of the city. At the same time, the project is bookended by a historic bank building and row house so the variety of architecture and sense of fitting in is very apparent,” Ryan said.

Units within Aurélien have been built as a cross between clean aesthetics, urban functionality and sophisticated design. Apartments feature floor-to-ceiling (9’) glass windows allowing residents to capture exceptional views in all directions of the Chicago skyline and Lake Michigan. All units will include a stunning kitchen design with an open layout. Kitchen spaces incorporate contemporary finishes such as flat-panel, high-gloss cabinetry with quartz counter tops, stainless steel appliances, soft close doors and drawers, and under cabinet lighting. Bathrooms feature European quartz custom vanities with 42" mirrors, soft close drawers and designer ceramic and porcelain tiles. Many units feature private balconies.

The luxury offerings of Aurélien extend throughout the building’s amenity-laden common areas, including the rooftop, fourth-floor terrace and ground floor spaces.

• The rooftop level, hospitality-inspired sundeck features panoramic views of Chicago and Lake Michigan, outdoor pool, private cabanas and outdoor fireplaces. Also included is an exclusive social club with a resident lounge, party room with a gaming center, and a high-end fitness center.
• The signature of the fourth level amenity space is an expansive green roof with a spacious private terrace, bocce ball courts, firepits, grilling stations, and large ‘backyard’ terraces for several residents.
• The elegant first floor lobby includes the management office and leasing center, secured resident storage, a private dog run and grooming station, library, parlor, business center, significant bike storage, and conference area with high speed wifi for the use of the building’s residents.

According to Irini Boeder, Assistant Vice President of Marketing for Lincoln Property Company, the target market for Aurélien includes well-educated young professionals, urban couples and empty nesters, renters who will appreciate the building’s ambiance of understated elegance, exceptional customer service and lifestyle convenience.

Aurélien’s location is ideal for residents living, working and playing in or near the Gold Coast. The site is situated in close proximity to transportation including two CTA stations and other public transportation options important to those who work downtown. It offers easy access to Lake Shore Drive and the Kennedy Expressway for those traveling by car to suburban destinations.

The building is within walking distance of Chicago’s Magnificent Mile (North Michigan Avenue), the downtown CBD, the Northwestern and Loyola University graduate school campuses, and the Northwestern medical center. Located nearby are an abundance of restaurants, clubs, retail amenities, and cultural facilities. It is also within close proximity to the lakefront, from Oak Street Beach to Navy Pier.

For more information about Aurélien, visit www.Aurélien Chicago.com.

About Lincoln Property Company

Since its inception in 1965, Lincoln Property Company has acquired and developed multi‐family properties valued in excess of $17 billion. A vertically integrated, multi‐national real estate firm, Lincoln employs over 5,500 people and operates in over 50 markets across the United States via 21 regional and satellite offices. Lincoln manages over 6,000 apartment units in the Chicagoland area with over 3,000 of those units in the City of Chicago itself.  For more information, visit www.lincolnapts.com.

Note: Aurélien North Clark Street with Bank Photo Credit: Nick Ulivieri

Aurélien Rendering 833 North Clark Street – Credit: Ryan A + E, Inc.

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