As much of the world has shifted to working from home as a result of the pandemic, the way we think about our living spaces has changed: while we once went to a gym, many renters now seek a gym in their building. Kitchen tables and make-shift desks have replaced offices. Some people choose to host more often in lieu of going out.

With these lifestyle changes, renters are beginning to ask more out of their apartments – and apartment dens, a relatively new yet growing trend, are a great way to answer this need by providing more space without the full cost of another bedroom.

What is a den in an apartment?

Both one- and two-bedroom apartments can come with a den, which is an extra alcove of space that’s large enough to accommodate additional usage but small enough that it doesn’t necessarily qualify as an extra bedroom. A space is designated as a den if it doesn’t have windows or a closet; for this reason, some buildings also refer to dens as a ‘flex space.’

A great example of an apartment with a den is Elevate, located at 930 W. Altgeld Street in Lincoln Park, or the Amli Lofts, located at 850 S. Clark Street.

What are the benefits of a den?

Beyond having extra footage, a den can provide space for activities, needs and hobbies beyond a bedroom, sitting room and kitchen. Not every one or two-bedroom apartment has a designated area for working from home, and a den could be the difference between working from your ‘office’ or working from your couch.

Dens in two-bedroom apartments can be particularly useful in this case: if you live with your partner or a roommate, a den allows for separate, private spaces for working – ensuring that both you and your partner are set up for success (and not talking into each others’ ears!).

Lastly, if you’re clever, a den can be a fantastic storage solution: by adding nice bookshelves, storage cubes or space-saving furniture, you can stash any overflow items not contained by other rooms.

For some renters, a den is a fantastic option – while others opt for an additional bedroom to allow for overnight guests, storage or an office. Our LLCR agents are ready to talk through the benefits of each and find an apartment that fits your needs.

Interested in learning what other apartment layout options there are? Click the button below!

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in August 2021 and has been updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

Of course, one of the most popular summer activities in any locale is swimming. Rooftop pools are a unique summer element of Chicago. Many luxury downtown hotels provide the opportunity to purchase a day pass or enjoy a staycation for full access to rooftop pools and other amenities.

Check out a few Chicago rooftop pools open all summer long:

Chicago Rooftop Pools

1. Cabana Club– Swim in or lounge by this incredible rooftop pool on the top of the Robey in West Loop. From the pool you can soak up skyline views of downtown Chicago and the surrounding suburbs. You can also enjoy a meal or cocktail from Cafe Robey while you’re there.
2. DoubleTree by Hilton– Tucked between the Magnifient Mile and Navy Pier, this popular rooftop pool sits in the prime downtown location. The rooftop pool and bar are open all summer long.
3. Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel– Located in the Loop and perched on the third floor of the Radisson, this 25-meter lap rooftop swimming pool is one-of-a-kind. It makes the perfect spot to cool off in or get your laps in.
4. The Hoxton– The chic pool located on the top of the Hoxton Hotel in West Loop provides fantastic views and a trendy aesthetic. When spending an afternoon on this rooftop, be sure to grab some delicious ceviche at Cabra.
5. Soho House– This exclusive Chicago hotel offers one of the city’s coolest rooftop pools, boasting incredible panoramic views of the city. Around the pool, guests can find comfortable oversized chairs and couches that charge your device, along with cozy outdoor fireplaces.
6. Fitness Formula Clubs (FFC) West Loop– Sign up for a membership at this fitness club to access this building’s impressive outdoor pool. There’s nothing like a dip in an outdoor pool after a summer workout.

Chicago Apartments with a Rooftop Pool

Imagine not having to leave your apartment to access a killer rooftop pool! The good news is you don’t have to imagine it if you find a unit in one of these apartments in Chicago with a rooftop pool:

Wolf Point East

313 W Wolf Point Plaza

These apartments sit right at the intersection of River North, Fulton Market, and the Loop. Residents of Wolf Point East can take advantage of this jaw-dropping rooftop skydeck and pool, which offer both luxury and breathtaking views.

500 Lake Shore

This apartment is situated right along the edge of Streeterville and offers a rooftop pool with cabanas and unmatched views of Lake Michigan, making this the ultimate retreat from the city.

Aurelien

833 N Clark St

These Gold Coast apartments offer a rooftop pool deck like no other. Here, residents can enjoy private cabanas, loungers, TVs, and surrounding city views all summer long.

Old Town Park Two

202 W Hill St

Nestled in the Old Town neighborhood, this apartment building offers an incredible rooftop pool with private loungers for the ultimate relaxing summer night.

Lincoln Common

2345 N Lincoln Ave

Located in the charming Lincoln Park neighborhood, this building boasts a rooftop pool deck complete with cabanas and endless city views.

If you’re looking to move to a luxury apartment with a pool this summer, Luxury Living Chicago Realty can help. We have a team of eager and experienced brokers who can help you find the best apartment near the best Chicago rooftop pools.

Ready to start your search? Click the button below to get started!

With so many incredible things to see in Chicago, from the breathtaking skyline to the expansive lake, why wouldn’t you want the best view right outside of your own windows?

While prioritizing amazing views is an easy decision, finding an apartment with the most impressive views may be more challenging. That’s why the Luxury Living Chicago Realty team has rounded up the best floor-to-ceiling window apartments for you to check out.

The Best Floor to Ceiling Window Apartments in Chicago

Wolf Point East – 313 W. Wolf Point Plaza – On the East end of the Chicago River, this River North apartment building boasts unparalleled views of the river and city. Along with great city sites, residents have access to world-class amenities, including a co-working lounge, full-floor fitness center, river terrace, sports club, indoor/outdoor pool and hot tub, golf simulator, dog run, and more. The building sits right on the Chicago River, allowing residents direct access to a private riverwalk patio, River North restaurants, nightlife, and activities.

Essex on the Park –  808 S. Michigan Ave – This impressive and relatively new 56-story high-rise in the Loop provides residents with an unbeatable lakefront view and living experience. The building features a dramatic four-story winter garden with an indoor pool overlooking Grant Park. Other amenities include an outdoor patio with grilling stations, a fitness center with an indoor/outdoor yoga studio, a party room, cocktail lounge, and more.

727 W Madison – This 492-unit West Loop skyscraper claims the title as Chicago’s tallest building west of the Kennedy Expressway. So naturally, residents can expect sweeping city views from within their luxury unit or from the large sun terrace with a pool, spa, cabanas, and grilling station. 

ELEVATE – 930 W. Altgeld St – Since this apartment building is located in Lincoln Park, a couple of miles from the downtown Loop, residents have expansive downtown views and views of the surrounding neighborhoods. The building offers upscale finishes and elegant amenities, including a rooftop fitness center and pool deck complete with cabanas, a large courtyard overlooking Lincoln Avenue, and a common area with built-in seating and WI-FI. 

NewCity – 1457 N. Halsted St – These upscale residences feature floor-to-ceiling windows with panoramic views of Lincoln Park and the entire Chicago skyline. Each unit is complete with detailed finishes and access to convenient amenities. The building is in the center of some of the Lincoln Park’s best shopping and dining.

Don’t miss out on a floor-to-ceiling apartment in Chicago for unlimited access to killer views of the Windy City. If you would like our team to help you secure one of these luxury apartments with stellar sights and impressive amenities, connect with one of our experienced team members today!

Looking for more apartments, restaurants, or balconies with some of the city’s best views? Check out our comprehensive guide below!

One of the first questions asked by any apartment locator will be, “what size apartment are you looking for?” but Chicago’s terminology can be different from other cities. Floor plan types include studio, convertible, junior one-bedroom, one-bedroom, and one-bedroom plus den.  So what’s the difference between a studio and a convertible? Or a junior one-bedroom and a standard one-bedroom? What qualifies as a den?

Different properties can define and label floor plans in different ways. Fortunately, Luxury Living Chicago’s consultants are here to help and walk you through various layouts and styles. There are some basic guidelines to remember and use when considering which floor plan works best for your lifestyle.

CHICAGO STUDIO APARTMENTS:

A studio floor plan will be the smallest square footage- usually ranging from 400-550 square feet. The kitchen is usually smaller and open to the rest of the apartment. The key to a good studio floor plan is storage space and most of Chicago’s newer luxury studio apartments include a walk-in closet.

CHICAGO CONVERTIBLE APARTMENTS:

When a studio has an additional alcove for bedroom space or even an obviously allocated spot for a bed, it can then be labeled a convertible. When a property offers a convertible layout, it usually means space is larger than a studio and has a separation between the main living area and the sleeping area. This separation can simply be an alcove for the bed, a partial wall, a  separate room with a sliding door, or it can be extra space like a hallway that creates a buffer between the sleeping alcove and kitchen/living area.

Convertibles and junior one-bedrooms are often very similar layouts and the terms are sometimes used interchangeably. Usually, junior one-bedrooms are smaller versions of a property’s one-bedroom floor plan without a bedroom door.  The price-point for a junior one-bedroom tends to be close to a convertible, with studios slightly below that range.

CHICAGO ONE BEDROOM APARTMENTS:

If you’ll need a little more space, standard one-bedrooms in Chicago range from 650-800 square feet. Most one-bedroom floor plans in Chicago feature an open kitchen and living space, with many including a large kitchen island for seating. The one plus den floor plan is usually sought out by those who work from home or would like an additional separated space for guests or dining. Not all one plus den layouts are created equally; most dens are not large enough to be used for guest bedrooms. But that’s why two-bedroom floor plans exist.

Ready to start searching for a Chicago apartment? Follow the link below to look through our luxury listings of downtown Chicago apartments. Please remember our team is always available to help and answer any questions about your search for a new luxury apartment!

Interested in learning the difference between a one-bedroom + den apartment? Read our blog post.

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in November 2015 and has been updated for accuracy. 

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Whether You’re Upsizing or Downsizing, an Apartment Transfer Might Be Right for You

Moving from one apartment to another in the same building isn’t uncommon. Maybe you want to move from a one-bedroom to a two or three-bedroom apartment for a growing family. Or maybe it’s the opposite — you want to downsize to save money, a roommate is moving out, or you simply don’t need the space anymore.

Whatever your goals are, an apartment transfer can help you achieve them. In this part of our apartment moving tips series, we’ll explore what an apartment transfer is and how to do one — provided they’re permitted by your landlord or property manager.

Important Factors to Consider When Transferring Apartments

• Talk to your landlord or property manager. Tell them what you’re looking to do, and see what your options are. Apartment buildings in downtown Chicago can fill up fast, so it’s important that you take action when you decide on an apartment transfer.
  
• Be prepared for a waiting list. Get your name on it, and see how everything lines up with your current lease terms. Also, keep in touch with the property manager to see where you are in line. If for some reason you decide to not move forward with the transfer, be courteous to others on the waiting list and let the property manager know to remove you.
• Learn how an apartment transfer would affect your lease. Would you start a new lease? Could your current lease be amended? In some instances, the landlord or property manager might allow you to simply pick up where you left off, but that depends on their policies. Note that your payment history and overall history as a tenant could factor in. Also, you may have to pay a lease transfer fee and sign a lease addendum.
  
• Pay attention to the details. If you have a parking space, would it change or stay the same? Would you have to pay an additional security deposit, or would you be entitled to a partial return of your original deposit? These details will depend on the situation.
  
• When the time comes, be ready. Start planning your move at least one to two months out. Make your plan, follow our checklist, clean your current apartment, and pack your apartment efficiently. If you’ll need movers, do your research. Secure your movers, confirm dates with your landlord or property manager, and have your things ready to go.
  
• Get set up. If you have to create or modify accounts with utility providers, contact them as soon as possible. Typically, they can set start dates for new services and shut-off dates for discontinued services, so everything happens automatically. Confirm with them the week before you move.
  
• Make address changes. Contact the local post office and update your address officially. Also, notify your family, friends, and employer of your address change as soon as possible so they can make updates on their end.

Get Ready, Get Set, Move!

We hope this information was useful to you if you’ve been considering an apartment transfer. This concludes our series on apartment moving tips. If you’re looking to move to downtown Chicago, we’d love to help.

Our talented, experienced team is here to help you identify the right apartment for you. We’ll be happy to explain the process in depth and provide some insights on living in downtown Chicago.

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