CHICAGO | Optima Center Chicago | 442 ft | 42 FLOORS | COM - Page 23

harryc · #**441** Posted **Jun 2, 2013, 1:07 PM**

harryc · #**442** Posted **Jun 9, 2013, 4:55 PM**

A few more shots 200 E Illinois - Optima

Tectonic · #**443** Posted **Jun 9, 2013, 10:41 PM**

Optimus Prime Center. LOL

george · #**444** Posted **Jun 12, 2013, 1:16 PM**

6-11

harryc · #**445** Posted **Jun 15, 2013, 8:21 PM**

June 10
From Lower Michigan bridge.

Nice big windows on Lower Illinois - might help make it more "friendly".

June 12

jcchii · #**446** Posted **Jun 16, 2013, 2:25 PM**

boomlet now making me greedy enough to demand the neighbor next door

andydie · #**447** Posted **Jun 22, 2013, 4:58 PM**

Hello friends and skyscraperfans,

here comes my final video for the Optima Center :

• Video Link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MeeKWirI9B8

Music: DJ Choose pres That Mucho - Release Me

Special thanx as always to Harry C, george, UrbanOasis and all others for the picture updates

PS: No Joe Zekas pictures are included in this video!

spyguy · #**448** Posted **Jun 24, 2013, 12:25 AM**

I was looking at the Optima website and noticed that they are offering to lease office space in this building. Not just on the first/second floor like you might naturally expect, but a couple of small furnished spaces all the way up on the 32nd (amenities) floor. Has anyone seen this type of deal before?

Oh, and they've uploaded some nice photos too (all from their Facebook):

Rizzo · #**449** Posted **Jun 24, 2013, 12:38 AM**

What a gem!

Regarding the office space there's residential buildings around downtown that lease various floors for office use. Mostly it's 1-3 person businesses. It works well especially on lower floors that might be tough to rent or sell because they face an alley. In vintage buildings it can provide an assist to keep rents down.

Ch.G, Ch.G · #**450** Posted **Jun 24, 2013, 12:48 AM**

Ugh. This building. So beautiful. I die.

Tom Servo · #**451** Posted **Jun 24, 2013, 12:52 PM**

Um, wow.

harryc · #**452** Posted **Jun 24, 2013, 1:59 PM**

george · #**453** Posted **Jul 3, 2013, 1:56 PM**

Like that 1st pic, harry^

6-26

MultiModal · #**454** Posted **Jul 3, 2013, 2:56 PM**

I never really liked this building, I am not one of those people that hate all glass box towers but this one looks really boxy with cheap looking glass and it feels kind of out of place. Just my opinion.

jc5680 · #**455** Posted **Jul 3, 2013, 4:23 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MultiModal

I never really liked this building, I am not one of those people that hate all glass box towers but this one looks really boxy with cheap looking glass and it feels kind of out of place. Just my opinion.

You are entitled to you opinion, but that doesn't mean it isn't wrong…

chicubs111 · #**456** Posted **Jul 3, 2013, 8:38 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MultiModal

I never really liked this building, I am not one of those people that hate all glass box towers but this one looks really boxy with cheap looking glass and it feels kind of out of place. Just my opinion.

The building lack of height is what kills it...if it was in the 600ft range it would have def added to its architecturally significance ...it otherwise looks like a really nice squat glass box

J_M_Tungsten · #**457** Posted **Jul 3, 2013, 9:11 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by george

Like that 1st pic, harry

Seconded. That is crazy.

harryc · #**458** Posted **Jul 6, 2013, 11:28 PM**

200 E Illinois Optima

i_am_hydrogen · #**459** Posted **Jul 13, 2013, 1:13 AM**

the urban politician · #**460** Posted **Jul 13, 2013, 12:23 PM**

Now that this building is close to finished, I can say that I'm a bit disappointed. If this weren't by Hovey, I'm sure it would be critiqued here more heavily than it currently is.

Reality is, as somebody else has mentioned, its short height is especially what kills it. And while I initially loved the obsidion garage, I find it rather ugly when coupled with what is above it.

I give it a thumbs sideways (not up or down)