Experiencing Memory and Humanity: The Illinois Holocaust Museum

At Optima®, our commitment to enriching lives extends beyond the luxurious confines of our communities to embrace the profound cultural institutions that surround them. One such place of deep historical significance and human connectivity is the Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center, located in the suburb of Skokie, just a stone’s throw from our communities in and near Chicago. This museum stands as a bastion of remembrance and education, encouraging visitors to reflect on the past’s harsh realities to foster a more compassionate and understanding future.

Chicago Skyscraper Spotlight The Wrigley Building

As part of our Chicago Skyscraper History series, we’re exploring some of the architectural feats that have defined Chicago, and buildings across the world. The Wrigley Building, established in 1924, was one of the first major office buildings north of the Chicago River — paving the way for many workplaces that followed. And that wasn’t all that set this show stopping skyscraper apart…

Chicago Skyscraper Spotlight Willis Tower

If you ask anyone – Chicago native or tourist – to name one building in the city, odds are they’ll say Willis Tower (or perhaps Sears Tower, since the name only recently changed). This goliath skyscraper towers over the skyline, standing as a landmark beacon from vantage points even miles away. But how much do you really know about the famed Willis Tower? Today, we take a closer look at the building’s rich history.

Furniture Spotlight: Verner Panton Cloverleaf Sofa at Optima Lakeview

As we continue our exploration of the carefully curated modernist furnishings at Optima communities, we’re excited to spotlight a distinctive piece gracing the lobby of Optima Lakeview : the Cloverleaf Sofa by Verner Panton.

The Benefits of Living Under Green Roofs

At Optima, our commitment to crafting vibrant communities extends beyond architecture — it embraces a vision of harmonious living with nature. In properties like Lud...

Furniture Spotlight: Eames Lounge Chair

What can we possibly say about the Eames Lounge Chair that hasn’t already been said before?

There’s not a collection of Northwestern University, located near our Optima Signature® and Optima Lakeview® communities, is one of those institutions that brings a unique vibrancy to the area. As such, we’re excited to spotlight one of the most transformative projects currently underway in Evanston: the redevelopment of Ryan Field at Northwestern University.

Optima Lakeview® Recognized for Its Green Architecture

Optima Lakeview®, completed in 2022, received a 2024 Green GOOD DESIGN Sustainability Award.

Chicago’s Historic Hull House: A Beacon of Social Reform

At Optima®, we remain committed to celebrating the rich history of the places where we build our communities. So for residents of Optima Signature® and Optima Lakeview® in Chicago, we are delighted to shine a light on one of the city’s pivotal landmarks in American social reform: Hull House. Founded in 1889 by social reformers Jane Addams and Ellen Gates Starr, Hull House became a central hub for addressing the pressing social issues of the time, especially for the waves of immigrants arriving in Chicago’s bustling urban center.

Chicago Skyscraper History The Merchandise Mart

Chicago has earned its place on the architectural map with endless distinctions, including being home to the tallest building in the world for 25 years and to numerous acclaimed architects like Mies van der Rohe, Frank Lloyd Wright, Marion Mahony Griffin and Jeanne Gang. But did you know that it’s also home to the world’s largest commercial building? Today, we’re taking a look at the history of the city’s beloved Merchandise Mart.