Magellan Development Chicago Real Estate

Five Things You Didn't Know About Magellan Development's Lakeshore East Community

If you're reading one of Magellan Development's blogs, you are likely already a little bit familiar with the Lakeshore East community.  However, the piece of land next to Lake Michigan that our Chicago real estate firm's properties are built upon has a unique story.  Without further ado, here are five things you didn't know about Lakeshore East.

1.  For many years, the Lakeshore East site was a nine hole golf course, designed by Peter Dye and known as Metro Golf at the Illinois Center.

2.  Lakeshore East is the site of the new Walter Watroba statue, a memorial for Walter Watroba of the Chicago Fire Department's Engine Company 13.  It is dedicated to Walter and all the Chicago firefighters who have lost their lives protecting the city, and it was designed by Jeanne Gang (the architect responsible for Magellan Development's Aqua building.

3.  The Lakeshore East master plan was the only American winner for international design excellence at the 2008 International Real Estate Federation awards; it won the FIABCI Prix D'Excellence award.

4.  Magellan Development has partnered with the I-GO car sharing service to allow residents to enjoy the convenience of having a car at their disposal with the hassle and the cost (both financial and environmental) of owning a car in the city.

5.  Speaking of special offers, Lakeshore East residents experience a variety of discounts and perks through the Magellan Rewards program, like discounted dog walking and personal concierge services.  Our partners include Nordstrom, Charter Limousine Company, and many other local businesses.

Magellan Development on New Home Notebook

There are plenty of ways to discover Chicago condos and other real estate on the web; however, one of our favorites is New Home Notebook.  Brought to you by the same Chicago real estate masterminds behind YoChicago, the New Home Notebook allows people to rate and review developers and properties.  After all, if you can review restaurants, hotels, and virtually anything else online, why not have a site where you can review properties?  In fact, New Home Notebook is especially valuable because buying a new home is likely one of the biggest decisions you will ever make, as well as being one of your largest purchases.

And of course, don't forget to check out the Magellan Development listings on New Home Notebook.

Magellan Development's Latest Activities: Enjoy Living In Lakeshore East

Being part of Magellan Development's Lakeshore East community is more than just living in an amazing Chicago condo - it means you are experiencing a new type of city environment.  Lakeshore East is a unique urban village that brings a sense of small living to the big city, including plenty of fun activities and events, all of which are detailed on the Lakeshore East community blog.

Magellan Development Reviews Around The Web

Lately our Chicago real estate company has been getting a lot of nice reviews on various sites - here are a few links:

*Magellan Development on Yelp

*Magellan Development on Insider Pages

*A great feature on Magellan Development's own Leila Zammatta

*Magellan Development on Citysearch

*Magellan Development's profile on Portfolio.com

*Magellan Development's Wikipedia page

*Magellan Development on New Home Notebook

Check them out if you are looking for a Chicago condo or Chicago apartment.

Magellan Development on YouTube

If a picture is worth a thousand words, a video must be worth at least million.  Therefore, if you are interested in the latest developments at Lakeshore East and Chicago architecture in general, check out our YouTube channel: Magellan Development.

Some of the videos include interviews with our architects and tours of Lakeshore East's six acre park, so if you are considering purchasing a Chicago condo in the future, check them out!

The Greener The Better in 2009 At Magellan Development

The New Year is finally here and if you’re in the market for a Chicago condo, you may want to start thinking about going green to help the environment and your finances. 

The subject of global warming has become even more important in today’s society due to the constant barrages by the media.  Companies worldwide have started to jump on the global warming bandwagon by offering high priced items geared towards lowering the effects of Global Warming.  There are, however, many simple steps that can be taken to lower the consequences of global warming, and in the long run, save you some money as well.

A recent article in the Daily Green compiled a list of simple routines for people to follow that will help reduce the carbon out-flow into the atmosphere.  Easy things such as lowering your refrigerators temperature will reduce the electricity needed to power it, and entail, save money on your electric bill. An easy move like that will benefit the earth and your wallet.

Another forgotten habit that has negative effects on the globe are those irritating monthly catalogs that are sent through the mail.  For instance, many people receive about ten to fifteen every month for things ranging from home accessories to gourmet food products.  They may not have actually ordered them, but they just passively let them come and toss them out every month.  Catalogs, such as the ones that come to my house, require more than fifty three million trees and fifty six billion gallons of wastewater to produce - a shocking number.  You can help lower the environmental costs of catalogs by canceling your subscriptions and using the web to make purchases instead.

Washing clothes in the washer was another task that, if done properly, can help reduce the effects of global warming.  Eliminating the use of hot water from the cleaning cycle can reduce almost 90% of the total electricity needed by the washer itself.  Technically, hot water is rarely needed for normal washes which is why eliminating it can be very simple.

Everyone can play a role in bettering the environment by doing small things that will eventually amount into bigger steps towards progression.  Since Chicago is one of the country’s leaders at aiming to correct the measures of global warming and has become a model for improving the quality of life, owning a Chicago condo will not only be an amazing experience, it will also be a positive change for the health of the world.

 

Happy New Year From Magellan Development!

The past year has been an extremely noteworthy year for our Chicago real estate company - our Lakeshore East community has grown by leaps and bounds and our buildings have won numerous architecture and design awards.  Of course, our most immediately compelling news is that one of the most anticipated developments in Chicago, the Aqua building, is nearing completion and residents will be able to move into their units in spring 2009.

Happy New Year from Magellan Development, and may 2009 be an incredible year!

Happy Holidays From the Magellan Development Group

Our Chicago real estate company has plenty to celebrate this year, especially the fact that in the spring 2009, the Aqua building will be nearing completion.  This stunning skyscraper is sure to become one of the more memorable elements of the Chicago skyline, as well as home to some of the most luxurious Chicago condos.

Of course, if you live in Chicago you have other reasons to celebrate, such as the fantastic shopping on Michigan Avenue and State Street, the delicious holiday specials at local restaurants, and the success of Chicago's own Blackhawks, Bulls, and Bears.  Even the chilly weather means that the city's classic architecture gets an elegant dusting of snow - and besides, nothing brings the holiday cheer quite like watching fluffy white flakes falling outside your window.

Happy holidays from the Magellan Development Group!

Welcome To Aqua, CVS!

Lakeshore East homeowners and renters have another reason to enjoy living in the community - CVS recently signed a lease to become the first retail tenant on the ground floor of the Aqua building, adding a new level of convenience to the entire community.  According to Michele Dodd, director of real estate for CVS/Pharmacy in the Chicago area and Wisconsin,

"CVS is pleased to be part of Lakeshore East’s growing retail component and we are excited to be a part of the remarkable Aqua tower”.

LEED Certified Chicago Real Estate, Explained

Several of Magellan Development's properties are LEED-certified; namely, the soon-to-be-delivered Aqua building and 340 on the Park.  Many people understand that LEED certification means that the properties are built according to the U.S. Green Building Council's standards for environmentally sustainable construction; however, they are not aware exactly what that entails.

LEED stands for the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design green building rating system, and there are several levels of LEED certification.  The goals of the LEED committee are numerous - to define "green building" and establish a common standard of measurement, to promote integrated, whole-building design practices, to recognize environmental leadership in the building industry, to stimulate green competition, to raise consumer awareness of green building benefits, and to effect an overall transformation of the building market.  The LEED standards are continually refined by the committee.

The LEED ratings address six major areas: sustainable building sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, indoor environmental quality, and innovation and design process.  Check back Wednesday for further discussion of the LEED process and how it relates to Magellan Development projects.