While the character of Evanston’s older buildings and the city’s proximity to Lake Michigan help attract a large rental population, the housing stock tends to be vintage three-flats and mid-rises.
Evanston Place, however, was completed in 1990 and is the newest rental complex in the city. The 9-story building has 190 units and is two blocks west of Sheridan Road and a few blocks south of Northwestern University.
The building is separated into two towers. The apartments wrap around an indoor parking garage in the middle of the building. The roof of the garage forms the base of the outdoor swimming pool and deck.
The pool and deck area is large. It’s easy to imagine groups of sun worshipers wandering around the deck with beverages in hand. Those who rent apartments on the sixth floor have the best view of the social scene, from their private patios, which face the deck.
21 floor plans
The apartments are available in 21 floor plans with rents ranging from $929 a month for the lowest priced studio (567 square feet) to $1,903 for a two-bedroom, two-bathroom unit with a den and two balconies (1,200 square feet).
Address: Evanston Place, 1735 Chicago Ave., Evanston.
Size: One bedroom plus den; 1 1/2 baths; 958 square feet.
Rent: $1,422 a month.
Security deposit: One month’s rent.
Age of building: Four years.
Number of floors: Nine.
Number of units: 190.
Utilities: Tenant pays heat and electricity.
Parking: Underground, attached garage; $84 month.
Extra amenities: exercise room, outdoor pool and sun deck, hospitality room.
We visited a unit on the ninth floor with one bedroom, a den and 1 1/2 baths. These units range from $1,387 to $1,422. The front door opens into a living/dining room combination on the right. Measuring about 13 1/2 by 19 1/2 feet, the room receives plenty of natural light from windows.
The space could be divided into living and eating areas by placing a table near the sliding glass door, which leads to a rectangular balcony with room for two or three chairs and a grill. This unit faces west, providing a view of the commercial and retail section of Evanston near Church Street and Sherman Avenue.
All apartments with this floor plan have a western exposure. Some units in other sizes include lake views.
The kitchen is on the right of the dining area. It includes a microwave and dishwasher, plus the standard refrigerator and oven/range appliances. The dining room should be used for sit-down meals, as the kitchen does not have room for a table.
Oak cabinets are shown in this model; other units have European-style cabinets. The countertop is an off-white laminate.
On the left of the foyer is a half-bath. Guests will appreciate having the use of a bathroom without having to walk through your bedroom. The bedroom is across from the half-bath. It connects with a bathroom on the left and the den on the right to form and “L” shape. The bedroom measures about 14 1/2 by 16 1/2 feet and includes a large walk-in closet.
A home office?
The den, which measures nearly 12 by 9, is visually appealing and might work as a home office. It would be awkward, howver, as a room for casual entertaining because the only access is through the bedroom.
The bathroom includes a shower, an oversized tub and a cultured marble countertop with two sinks. Theatrical lighting is above the mirror. The beige carpeting shown throughout the unit extends into part of the bathroom, but not near the main water areas, which have ceramic tile.
The building has laundry rooms on each floor, which saves tenants from carrying their clothes down several floors. A bicycle storage room and storage lockers also are available.
Evanston Place is two blocks from Metra and Chicago Transit Authority trains that travel south to Chicago. Sheridan is the main road to Chicago.
For rental information, call 708-328-0505.
