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principal of the developer White Oak Realty Partners, noting the site was one of very few remaining east of Halsted Street that allowed for high-rise develop- ments of Arkadia's type. Buildings west of Halsted must not exceed 11 stories, while Arkadia Tower's location across the street means it can soar 33 stories, with 350 units and "unmatched 360-degree views" from each f loor, according to Blum. "We didn't nec- essarily go for 'trendy,'" he adds. "We went for solid and sustainable—and long-term success." Luxury rental amenities are nothing new in Chicago—several other city properties (primarily in River North and the Gold Coast) offer the requi- site pool and fitness center as well as party rooms and conveniences like Pressbox, a dry-cleaning service that picks up residents' laundry in lockers— but Arkadia Tower goes much further. A tricked-out midlevel f loor boasts a pool, a locker room, a gym, towel service, an expansive party room with a kitchen, a technology lounge, a "beverage room" with complimentary Starbucks coffee, and an in- building convenience store where tenants can pay by key fob. There's also an outdoor dog run on the ground f loor. Along with its sleek, soaring glass-and-steel design, Arkadia also manages to incorporate the neighborhood's Hellenic heritage, including Acropolis imagery and Greek runners rendered in etchings and metal artwork on the garage exterior. "We worked very hard with our architect, FitzGerald Associates Architects, and Greektown to create a beautiful yet modern structure that would fit within the context of the neighborhood," Blum says. "We didn't want to alienate the community; we wanted something the restaurants and neighbors would be proud of. Yet with our high visibility from the expressway and pretty much the entire city, we also tried to create a building that was visually dynamic, creative, and modern." From grad students at the University of Illinois at Chicago and young professionals to 35- to 50-year-olds looking for a new or second home, Arkadia's demo- graphic is further proof that the West Loop has staying power as a destination neighborhood for living well. And while Blum recognizes that just a few things dif- ferentiate Arkadia Tower from the city's other luxury rentals, they're serious factors—like lower rents, less traffc in the neighborhood, and a convenient loca- tion. "Our goal was to provide a luxury building with an unmatched amenity program," Blum says—and with Arkadia Tower, they've done it. 765 W. Adams St., 312-454-5001; arkadiatower.com MA Prime rentals Discover three of the city's poshest properties. K2 Located just down the street from Arkadia Tower, K2 features amenities like an expansive pool/deck area with TV cabanas and a fre pit, a terrace lounge with fat-screen TVs and a freplace, an exercise room with locker and steam rooms, a separate basketball court and yoga studios, a movie theater, and a business center with a boardroom and six computers. 365 N. Halsted St., 855- 886 -7774; k2apts.com 73 E. LaKE The ninth and 10th foors in this building are devoted to amenities, including a huge ftness complex, a cybercafé, a business center, an indoor pool, and a sauna and steam room, as well as Club 73 on the 42nd foor, which fea- tures a private dining area, a lounge area, and a terrace with a fre pit and cabanas. 73 E. Lake St., 312-269- 9900; experience73.com 500 LaKE ShorE DrivE This luxury rental separates its amenities by room: The Feature, a lounge with TV screens and a wet bar; The Library, with a freplace, several cozy couches, and bookshelves, all overlooking Lake Michigan; The Midway, a game room with billiards, shuffeboard, and video games; The Deck, where the outdoor pool is located; and The Café, featuring Starbucks coffee. 500 N. Lake Shore Dr., 312-279- 7181; related.com/apartment-rentals/chicago/ streeterville/500 -lake-shore-drive The sixth-floor lounge and game room. below: A penthouse unit kitchen, equipped with white quartz countertops and Frigidaire stainless-steel appliances, also features floor-to-ceiling windows and custom wide-plank flooring. "We didn't necessarily go for 'trendy.' We Went for solid and sustainable— and long-term success." —richard blum haute property News, Stars, and trends in real estate 138 michiganavemag.com