In More Ways than One, a Groundbreaking Development in Oak Park

It was a ceremonial moment for a residential development whose ground-breaking status goes well beyond piercing the earth with photogenic shovels.

On Thursday, May 14th, The Residences at Maple Place attracted civic, economic development and business leaders to mark the beginning of construction of the first Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED)-registered condominium development in Chicago’s western suburbs.

The 10-unit luxury condominium development by Altierra Development Group LLC will be situated at 1133 Chicago Ave., on the southwest corner of Chicago and Maple avenues. Currently, six of the units are pre-sold, with buyers seeking new construction and single floor living, both of which are hard to find in Oak Park. The first units are scheduled for delivery in mid-summer 2016.

At the groundbreaking, Altierra Partner/Marketing Director Paul Zimmermann said that he and Altierra Partner/GC Services Director Jonathan Shack hope the development spurs on many such residential projects, “forging the way for innovation in energy conservation and sustainable building throughout the entire Chicagoland area as well as nationwide.”

He noted the site’s proximity to the Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio and Historic District, which attracts tourists from all over the world. “We are proud to know that this building will be seen and admired by many, not just for its appealing design, but for its place in eco-history,” Zimmermann said.

Among those on hand were Oak Park Village Manager Cara Pavlicek, Village Planner Craig Failor, Development Customer Services Director Tammie Grossman and Village Clerk Teresa Powell, as well as Oak Park Economic Development Corporation Executive Director John Hedges and Oak Park and River Forest Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Cathy Yen.

“We love the local nature of this project,” Zimmermann said. “We would like to thank all the Oak Parkers who helped us on this journey.”

He named Oak Park architect John Schiess of JCS Architects, as well as other architectural collaborators, Oak Park architects Jim Lencioni, Tom Bassett-Dilley and Garrett Eakin; Oak Park-based LEED certifier Jason LaFleur of Eco-Achievers; Community Bank of Oak Park & River Forest’s Tammi LeSage and Michele Uhler; and Realtors Rich Gloor and Jan Raspatello of Gloor Realty.

In the spirit of the Residences’ anticipated LEED Silver designation, Altierra took steps to make it as close to a “zero waste event” as possible: baked goods from the kitchens of Zimmermann and Raspatello, coffee from local purveyor Prairie Bread Kitchen, glass mugs, loose sugar and cream and cloth napkins.

And the project is already providing local business stimulus: the shovels deployed during the ceremony were purchased a few doors west of the Maple Place site, at Dressel’s Hardware, a longstanding Oak Park business.

Marked by a plethora of ecologically friendly features, the building provides a high walkability quotient, with easy access to shops, entertainment, restaurants and public transportation, among other everyday conveniences.

The construction plans call for an advanced thermal envelope and best practices which, coupled with energy-efficient appliances and high efficiency windows, significantly reduce the homes’ carbon footprint and operation costs.

Each unit will feature a mix of traditional and modern amenities, as well as two heated parking spaces. Ranging from 1,900 to 2,200 square feet, the Residences will include a spacious open floor plan, with 9-foot ceiling heights, luxury kitchens with designer fixtures and appliances, grand master bedroom suites with spacious walk-in closets; and large multiple bathrooms with designer finishes and oversize showers. Altierra’s on-staff designer, Robin Cowen Gottlieb, will assist buyers throughout the selection process.

Another of the eco-features will be a green roof enjoyed by penthouse residents on their terraces, making it the first Oak Park condo development to have a green roof, as well as a green wall for pedestrian enjoyment.

As of mid-May, the remaining three-bedroom units on the second through fourth floors, some with multiple large terraces and separate studies, range in price from $639,900 to $699,900.

For more information, visit http://www.mapleplaceop.com or call Rich Gloor or Jan Raspatello at 708-524-1100.

PHOTO CAPTIONS:

*Paul Zimmermann (left) and Jonathan Shack of Altierra Development Group LLC wield shovels on Thursday, May 14th, during the groundbreaking ceremony for The Residences at Maple Place. (Photo by Riley Mockler)

*Paul Zimmermann (left) makes remarks as Jonathan Shack looks on Thursday, May 14th, during the groundbreaking ceremony for The Residences at Maple Place. Zimmermann is Altierra Partner/Marketing Director and Shack is Altierra Partner/GC Services Director. (Photo by Riley Mockler)

*Jonathan Shack of Altierra Development Group LLC, Oak Park architect Garrett Eakin, Oak Park-based LEED certifier Jason LaFleur of Eco-Achievers and Oak Park Village Clerk Teresa Powell were among those on hand. (Inside Edge PR photo)

*Viktor Schrader of the Oak Park Economic Development Corp. (left), Paul Zimmermann of Altierra Development Group LLC and Rich Gloor of Gloor Realty Co. share a laugh before the ceremony. (Inside Edge PR photo)

*David Sokol (left) and John Schiess of JCS Architects. (Inside Edge PR photo)

*Garrett Eakin (left) greets Jill Haas, one of the first purchasers of a unit at The Residences at Maple Place. (Inside Edge PR photo)

*A rendering of The Residences at Maple place, on the spot where the 10-unit development will take shape. (Inside Edge PR photo)