Westerly apartments: Luxe interiors in River West

The River West neighborhood is a great place if you’re searching for a quieter area that’s still within walking distance of all the hot spots in Fulton Market or West Town. In the past few years, the neighborhood has seen a lot of changes but in this vibrant area, you’ll still find a mix of historic and modern buildings. In fact, one of the latest residential buildings to open are the Westerly apartments from Chicago-based developer Fifield Companies.

Right along Milwaukee Avenue at 740 N. Aberdeen Street, the 11-story building includes 188 apartments–it has a mix of studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom units between 544 to 1,513 square feet. Despite the challenge of navigating a pandemic, the apartments were able to start pre-leasing in August and move-ins will begin at the end of September. So far, just 2 percent of the building is occupied which isn’t surprising given that it’s opening during a less busy fall season, says Westerly’s leasing manager Jeannie Dugan. 

“There’s so much changing and happening in this part of the city,” says Dugan. “But we’re making sure our residents feel very comfortable and carefree here. Our staff is really responsive and empathetic, too.”

Luxe units with a warm modern interior

Residents in search of luxe units should look no further–at the Westerly there are floor-to-ceiling windows, wide wood plank flooring, high ceilings, and, of course, in-unit washers and dryers. A few of the penthouse units have balconies, too. Overall, these units are sleek and sophisticated with on-trend neutral shades. The studios and convertibles are between $1,795 to $2,195; one bedrooms range from $1,995 to $2,685; and two- to three-bedrooms rent for $5,525 to $5,725.

Some modern designs can feel a bit bare, but Westerly’s interior pulls from a soothing grey color palette. Everything from the art to the finishes are high-end so no matter what space you’re in it feels curated. “The light fixtures are stunning and just completely unique throughout the entire place,” says Dugan. The hanging plants and gold accents really make the interior warm and inviting, too.

Unique outdoor amenity spaces

Perks that residents will get to enjoy include a fitness club, a resident lounge, a dog spa, and penthouse-level party room. Also, the coworking space with dedicated workpods and a conference center is perfect for remote workers. On the third level, there’s also an outdoor landscaped terrace with a pool, cabanas, grilling stations, dining areas, and private seating. In addition, Westerly residents get special access to a brand new public park with a dedicated dog run just a few steps from the building. 

Another major draw to living at the Westerly is the building’s proximity to the city’s network of transportation options. It’s just a three minute walk to the Chicago Blue Line stop and the No. 66 bus (which runs on the quicker bus-only lanes). Of course, there’s the nearby Metra station and expressway too. What’s more, is that at the Westerly you’ll also have access to extensive 80-space indoor bike storage which makes taking advantage of the protected bike lanes on Milwaukee Avenue a breeze. There’s also a station to make minor repairs and keep up with regular bike maintenance.

If you’re looking for a new place, Westerly is offering in-person and virtual tours. If a place happens to check all your boxes during your apartment hunt, the slower fall season could be an ideal time to move especially compared with the traditionally hectic, highly competitive spring market.