Situated on one of the last developable parcels within Lakeshore East, a master-planned community in downtown Chicago, Cascade at Lakeshore East is a 503-unit apartment tower that was simultaneously developed with Cirrus, an adjacent 350-unit condominium building.
To make the project one of the most amenitized in the city, development partners Lendlease and Magellan Development Group incorporated a mix of exclusive spaces in both buildings, as well as a substantial shared podium. The area includes more traditional spaces, such as lounges, a fitness center, an indoor pool, and pet services, and several unique features, including a maker space, an indoor splash pad, and a jam room.
Recognizing that apartment living presents challenges for musicians, the developers created the soundproof jam room as a space where artists can perform without disturbing their neighbors. The reservable space offers 24-hour accessibility and serves as a practice space for experienced and up-and-coming musicians, including children who need a place for private lessons.
A wide range of instruments and gear are provided, including a grand piano, an electric guitar, an electric bass, two full-size acoustic guitars, a small acoustic guitar, a ukulele, a banjo, an electric drum kit, microphones, two amplifiers, and a karaoke machine.
The developers report Cascade and Cirrus residents have organized “jam nights” in the room and have met there regularly to share their passion for music. These events became so popular that residents ended up creating their own “jam band” named Cascadian Rhythm, a nod to the building in which they call home.
In addition to designing and outfitting the jam room for music lovers, the developers also included a podcast station, recognizing the growth in content creation, both as a creative endeavor as well as for professional purposes.
