CHICAGO - (July 23, 2020)
Draper and Kramer, Incorporated, today announced it has selected local artist Canary Garcia for a year-long residency as the “Aspiring Artist” at Aspire Residences, the firm’s new 24-story, 275-unit apartment tower that will open in August at 2111 S. Wabash Ave. in Chicago’s South Loop.
“Art has become more important than ever in multifamily developments, with each piece contributing to a building’s brand identity and serving as a memorable point of distinction in the marketplace,” said Todd Bancroft, president and CEO of Draper and Kramer, the project’s developer. “At Aspire, we wanted to add an organic layer to the typical process of selecting or commissioning artwork based on our own understanding of the property as the developer. We created the ‘Aspiring Artist’ residency as an opportunity to support a young artist who will be creating pieces for Aspire as she experiences living there and interacts with the surrounding neighborhood. We can’t wait to see what Canary contributes to the building and how her work is inspired during her time there.”
Garcia, a 2020 graduate of the American Academy of Art in Chicago, is a contemporary artist with experience in multiple mediums and styles, spanning from figurative to abstract, small to large format, and paint to sculpture. Originally from Hammond, Ind., she has had work published as part of the Society of Illustrators Annual Exhibition and recognized by the national Congressional Art Competition, which awarded her first place for a piece celebrating Indiana’s bicentennial.
“Reviewing Canary’s portfolio, we were drawn to the variety and complexity of her work and its distinct, deeply personal influences, which we feel will contribute to the authenticity of our community,” said Bancroft. “In addition to being an extremely talented, up-and-coming artist, Canary is also very gracious and humble, which makes it all the more rewarding for us to forge this partnership with her early on in her career.”
Over the course of her year-long residency, Garcia is commissioned to create several original pieces, the first of which will be a sculpture to serve as the centerpiece of the building’s main lobby. She will also create artwork for Aspire’s amenity spaces, mailroom, elevators and elevator lobbies, and corridors.
“For young artists like myself, it’s often a struggle to find work and a stable place to practice our craft, especially now,” said Garcia. “My residency at Aspire has given me the confidence and opportunity to grow without limitation. I’m eager to see how this change in environment – from the quiet, northwest region of Indiana where I’m from to the lively city I now call home – will adjust my conceptual thinking. I look forward to drawing inspiration from the natural world as I create new, one-of-a-kind pieces that will serve as the backdrop for everyday life at Aspire.”
Garcia will be among the first residents at Aspire when the building opens in August. She will work on-site, initially in a vacant apartment before moving to a studio located in Aspire’s first-floor retail space when it is completed, allowing residents to observe her works in progress
Located at the northeast corner of Wabash Avenue and Cermak Road, Aspire was designed by Solomon Cordwell Buenz and features an asymmetric base and glass tower with a “sawtooth” facade that creates a prismatic effect, changing the color of the building as the sun changes position throughout the day. The building includes a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom plans ranging in size from 529 to 1,411 square feet and priced from $1,744 per month.
Apartments at Aspire feature open layouts, wide-plank flooring, floor-to-ceiling windows, loft-like exposed concrete ceilings, and modern kitchens with European two-tone cabinetry, designer backsplashes, stone countertops and stainless steel appliances. Building residents also have access to a fourth-floor amenity suite that includes a pub lounge and adjacent game room with a sports simulator; state-of-the-art fitness center and yoga studio; and work areas for telecommuting. Additionally, the fourth floor offers access to a lushly landscaped resort-style roof terrace with a sun deck, cabanas, grilling stations, swimming pool, lounge seating and city views. A dog park will also be located on the north end of the outdoor space.
In addition to enjoying proximity to the Green Line and being two blocks from the Red Line, residents of Aspire will have convenient access to Lake Shore Drive and the Dan Ryan, Stevenson and Eisenhower expressways. Other cultural, recreational and entertainment destinations along the lakefront, including Soldier Field, the Museum Campus, Lakefront Trail and Northerly Island, are also nearby.
Prospective residents can schedule an in-person or personalized virtual property tour with the Aspire leasing team, or view property photos, floor plans and a 3D tour online at www.rentataspire.com. For more information, email [email protected].
About Draper and Kramer, Incorporated
Founded in 1893, Draper and Kramer, Incorporated, is a trusted financial and property services provider with a deep commitment to people, excellence, service and integrity spanning more than 125 years. Family-owned and one of the leading privately held real estate services firms in the U.S., Draper and Kramer is headquartered in Chicago with a national reach and broad offering of services. The company’s decades-long heritage has evolved over the years to meet the needs of its clients and today spans expertise in residential and commercial development, acquisition, property management and leasing; debt and equity financing for commercial properties; and residential mortgage services through affiliate Draper and Kramer Mortgage Corp. Draper and Kramer provides a single source of real estate-related counsel to a diverse group of real estate investors across the U.S. including corporations; private and institutional owners and users of real estate; government agencies; condominium associations; and foundations. For more information, visit www.draperandkramer.com.
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Editors:
For more information, contact Sarah Lyons, [email protected], (312) 267-4520.
Image Captions:
Canary Garcia, selected for a year-long residency as the “Aspiring Artist” at Draper and Kramer’s Aspire Residences, mixes plaster for her initial piece – a sculpture to be prominently displayed in the building’s lobby. Photograph by Mickey Zager.
Aspire Residences, Draper and Kramer’s new 24-story, 275-unit apartment tower, will open in August in Chicago’s South Loop.
