SoNo’s Tribune Ad: Appealing to the newly single woman
Sono, the new building under construction near the Clybourn corridor (the developer calls it Lincoln Park but no one else does) had a new ad in the Chicago Tribune on Sunday.
The ad had a picture of a young, thin, blonde woman and asked: “Are you a Match for Sono?”
It was a “play” on the internet dating sites, giving the woman the name: frstTIMEhomebyer60622.
The fake “profile” says:
About Me:Feels good to be single (again) and rediscovering all that’s great about the city! I’m into good friends, fabulous cultuer and great dining, and running along the lake from Chicago’s coolest part of town.
Looking for:I owned a studio near the river, but now I want a neighborhood to call my own – one with more going on. I’d like to be able to walk out my door and get anything- a new outfit for tonight, groceries, takeout from my favorite Mexican place, whatever. Be great if my place had a cool look and open space to have friends and maybe someone new over.
Do any of you single women buyers out there feel compelled by this ad? (let’s not get into whether you can “run along the lake” easily if you live in the Clybourn Corridor) But in general: does this kind of ad catch your eye?
And what if you’re a single guy?
Seems a bit odd to me (but, of course, I did notice the ad and here I am writing about it.)
Developers are trying anything to differentiate themselves from the competition. There are simply too many high rise buildings being sold right now.
Is that misspelling (“culture”) actually in the ad?
No- sorry. Just my typo!
This building is beautiful and it appears that only the first phase will be constructed by the developer. You can see this tower from miles away and it has no competition for it’s skyline space.
This advertising is laughable, however. I wouldn’t call this space near as prime as Lincoln Park or Lakeview in terms of walkable amenities, however the developer seems to be taking that angle.
What they should emphasize is that this development is the only one legally allowed to build high-rises in this area (due to winning a court fight with the city over the timing of the purchase). So if you live here you will likely live in the only high-rise building, or development (if they build additional phases) within walking distance.
“walkable amenities”
Serious question–what is there in LP or LV that’s lacking here in terms of amenities, other than (obviously) proximity to the lakefront?
The LP zoo, a grocery store, a wide array of commercial establishments that aren’t big box retail. Walk to a wide array of bars/taverns/restaurants. Nice, leafy tree lined streets.
Where exactly is this? I thought it was about 2 blocks south of North Avenue, and West of Dayton (maybe by Joe’s). If that’s the case, then there is a ton of shopping near Sheffield and North. And there is a Whole Foods there too!
I would agree the streets over there are not as nice as the tree lined streets of LP.
If you want a neighborhood bar – check out Weed’s!
I definitely give you the nice streets–but that’s lacking at basically all points south of here, too. And there aren’t a lot of bar/restaurant options, but if you like river north, LP AND wicker park places, you’ve got the shortest average to all three.
But the zoo fits into “lakefront” (and sono is closer to the zoo than almost anywhere in LV) and this is less than a block from the under construction new Whole Foods (2 blocks to the current one) and about 4 blocks from Trader Joes and two blocks from the soon to be built Roundys at the old YMCA site.
It would be far from my first choice, too, but the location has a lot to recommend it for a certain type of person.
Its at Fremont and Blackhawk, 1501 N Fremont street. Only the west tower was completed and it looks like the same developer won’t be building the east tower. You can’t miss it on northside el tracks.
So you have a looming 33 story modern highrise in the middle of the area with no competition for views. Some might think it looks out of place but I think it looks cool.
Given this week’s employment stats, will we be looking at condo ads appealing to the newly-unemployed woman?
Anon – You don’t have the gun shots in LP & LV that you will hear at the SoNo. The neighborhoods currently are night and day…
Stevo:
That wasn’t my question. I was asking about the walkable amenities that are lacking–other than the lakefront. “Safety”, or the perception thereof, is NOT a “walkable amenity”. Try to keep up, Stevo.
Also, still waiting on the 5 winners for every loser that you’ve repeatedly promised but have *never* come even close to presenting.
Does anyone know anything about this developer? Also, why will he not build the second unit?
The person that showed me the condo model (it was his first day) said, “the developer was not going to start the second building until he sold 25% of the units based on the model and renderings.”
He also mentioned or slipped or messed up saying, “I just heard today that the second building could be built set back from the first building”. Meaning, the current model shows the two buildings next to each other. If the to-be-built East building is set further back, it will ruin many of the views for people in the West building. Could the developer change the location? I mean, advertise that the buildings will be in one space and build it in another?
Would you invest in this place? I would love to hear more pros and cons.
Finally, this is the only building that can be built this high in the area – for residential. However, couldn’t commercial buildings go higher?
Many thanks,
Deborah
There is a nice pizza by the slice place at the north clyborn subway stop which is very close by. Joes on Weed has $2 pitchers and half price pizza on tues nights, they have a nice beer garden too. Somebody mentioned Weed’s, dive bars are a dieing breed and there are some colorful characters in that place, especially on Poetry slam night. Lot’s of mall type shopping destinations within walking distance. and old navy if you like your clothes cheap. Oh, I almost forgot, VIP’s is also not far. How many luxury high rises are walking distance from pole dancers?
I am definitely going to tour a high floor south facing unit when I get a chance. Chances are its out of my price range (for now), but I’d imagine the city views are fantastic from there. Heck their fantastic from the El and thats only around the 2nd floor.
I know two people who bought pre-con in this building. They were offered by the developer to opt out of their current contract but then get a 20% discount off of a similar unit in the next building. I guess they think they can sell the currently completing units but aren’t getting enough contracts for the second building to break ground. I heard this about a month ago so maybe they’ve canceled it since then.
D
I’ve read elsewhere on the web that the second building is going to be done by a different developer but that the plans have been put on hold for awhile. No way to verify this however.
I just toured the open house. Nice building, finishes suck, views are great, neighborhood is coming along but that area is really congested and they are supposedly putting in an Apple Store on the corner where the gas staion was. If that new Whole Foods goes ahead as planned across from VIPs that will be big. Supposedly a lot of the commercial will redevelop to retail, mixed use stuff – but that is a big hope now…
Oh, the second tower is supposed to go ahead as rental units as that is the only way they could get financing. Heard that from the realtor there.
Place feels a little “hotelish” inside, but I guess most high rises do.
Just to give an update, the new Whole Foods located a half block down from SONO is almost ready to open. There have been massive improvements in the area and the building offers some of the most beautiful city, river and lake views. Nothing to obstuct.
I have to disagree with Tyler and say, the finishes are very nice. I’ve viewed a TON of properties and these do not come close to sucking. These units feel modern and spacious and with the right furniture can feel like a wonderful home.
The second tower is going to be rentals, but the time line on that is fuzzy.
The area blows!
Being n the construction industry for 10 years and working on an array of classical and post modern and contemporary projects, seing sono is in a way a very unique, building i am to say that i am in love with it. If they were to build a pool next to it instead of a another building it would be better, and yes a roof top deck, The only thing i dont like is that they placed the work out facility right in fron of the street, not much privacy busting a sweat