Less than a year after construction began, The Reed topped off on July 27. The 41-story, 440-unit community in Chicago’s South Loop neighborhood is a part of Southbank: the seven-acre, riverfront master plan overseen by the real estate investment group Lendlease.
The first Southbank residence, The Cooper, is a luxury high-rise apartment building which opened in 2018. The Reed, however, will include for-sale units alongside rentals: in addition to 224 apartments, 216 condominiums will be available. Ranging from 630 to 1,670 square feet, those one-, two- and three-bedroom condos are priced from the low $400,000s to $1.4 million.
The Reed is set for completion during the summer of 2023.
“As The Reed has risen, so has the resurgence of interest in urban living,” Ted Weldon, executive general manager of development for Lendlease’s Chicago office, said in a press release. Weldon noted that buyers and renters alike are showing a preference for walkable city locations that maintain a connection to nature.
Situated on the south bank of the Chicago River, The Reed offers access to the two-acre Southbank Park as well as a riverwalk linking directly to the waterway. The Reed is also located near the Lake Michigan beachfront and offers views of the downtown skyline.
Designed by Perkins and Will, the building itself is modeled with an industrial-chic aesthetic. Tall concrete ceilings and exposed columns are present throughout the units alongside more extravagant finishes: floor-to-ceiling windows, modern kitchens, Bosch appliances, quartz countertops and, in the bathrooms, custom vanities and Kohler and Hansgrohe fixtures.
The press release from Lendlease also highlighted the sustainable construction methods of The Reed. It is Chicago’s first-ever high-rise to utilize a low-carbon concrete, developed by McHugh Concrete. This cuts down The Reed’s total embodied concrete carbon by more than 32%, according to McHugh, with the product expected to last 30 years longer. Lendlease is aiming to achieve absolute zero carbon by 2040.
In support of that mission, the company performed a Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities Assessment for The Reed and is targeting a LEED Gold and Fitwel certification for the residence.
The Reed tops off
“These advancements underscore our commitment to projects throughout their lifecycle and establish best practices that can be implemented in other developments,” said Kinjal Patel, the general manager of construction for Lendlease’s Chicago office.
“Thanks to the hard work and dedication of the nearly 250 tradespeople who have worked more than 220,000 hours on this project, prospective residents can see how well The Reed integrates with its surroundings,” Weldon added.
Once complete, Renters and owners can enjoy the many communal spaces of The Reed. There is a pool and pool deck, affixed with a wet lounge, outdoor kitchen, grilling stations and dining areas. Indoors, residents will find TVs, a pool table and spaces to work from home. A fitness center, with both indoor and outdoor features, will also be available.
Additionally, a second-floor amenity suite is exclusive to condo owners. Overlooking Southbank Park, it includes a fireplace lounge, show kitchen, workspaces and a terrace.