Modernist Buildings in Chicago Everyone Should Know

Modernist tradition and design practices have been rooted in our identity at Optima for over four decades. The same appreciation for modernism is across countless iconic buildings thro...

Exploring the Clarke-Ford House: A Journey Through Chicago’s Architectural Past

Optima Lakeview showcases exhibitions you can not miss. Scottsdale and Chicago are both cities with teeming cultures, art, and experiences. View them here

How Diversity in Architectural Styles Lends Vibrancy to Communities

At Optima®, we’re passionate about design and architecture, not just as forms of artistic expression but as vital elements that contribute to the vibrancy of communities. Across the places where we build, our “forever modern” design philosophy enhances our neighborhoods with unique character, playing a critical role in enhancing the architectural mix, creating a rich tapestry for people to enjoy today…and tomorrow.

Softline Opera Chair: Design & Versatility

As we continue to tour the public spaces at Optima® communities to highlight the curated collection of Modernist furnishings, such as the Eames chair, or tulip table, etc. We find it just as important to highlight recent advances of Modernist furniture design, propelled forward by the likes of Eero Saarinen, Charles and Ray Eames, Florence Knoll, and so many other masters of design. Today we introduce you to the OPERA chair at Optima Lakeview®, by SOFTLINE.

Optima + Sustainability Series: EV Parking

The evidence that electric and hybrid vehicles are gaining traction is on the roads everywhere. From personal vehicles to rideshares and public transport, we are, as a nation, beginnin...

A Brief History of Outdoor Living Spaces

While interior spaces make an argument for being the heart of a home, outdoor areas – like private terraces and sky decks – contribute space just as important for residents...

Modern Decor For Your Home

At Optima, our affinity for modern design and style stretches through all of our Communities. In the past, we’ve explored the history and identity of Chicago Architecture Biennial offers a fresh, reflective look into the heart of urban transformation. Beginning September 21, 2023, CB5 invites locals and visitors alike to participate in a series of immersive events and discussions. Here’s what you can expect from the 2023 Biennial This Is a Rehearsal

How Space Affects Mood

Today, virtually every aspect of daily life seems to bring a measure of stress. And when thinking about how to cope, it’s reassuring to turn to science, where research studies co...

The Role of the Courtyard in Optima® Communities

In a former Forever Modern post, we shared a brief history of the courtyard. From their earliest uses around 6000 BC in the Jordan Valley, courtyards have evolved into physical settings that enable people to interact harmoniously with others — and with their natural surroundings.

Visiting 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.

Get Crafty: Discover the Art of Glass Blowing in Chicago

Chicago, a city renowned for its architecture and cultural vibrancy, also boasts an incredible craft scene that continues to captivate residents and visitors alike. At Optima Lakeview® and Optima Signature®, we are always on the lookout for opportunities to engage our communities with unique artistic experiences, and glass blowing is a craft that offers just that—an opportunity to witness the transformation of molten glass into stunning works of art. If you’ve ever marveled at the intricate beauty of blown glass, Chicago’s thriving glass-blowing workshops provide the perfect opportunity to experience this extraordinary art form firsthand.

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.