Presidential Towers claims to be “the healthiest high-rise in the city,” a bragging right we couldn’t help but examine.
After all, there’s no official definition of what constitutes a healthy living space. Is it mold content? Indoor air quality? Or is it providing tenants with an environment that makes it easier to make healthy choices?
We came up with five criteria of our own: walkability, conservation efforts, access to green space, fitness facilities and healthy eating options. Then we took the pulse of the city’s five largest high-rises, according to number of residential units.
We found that the old axiom “location, location, location” can also be used as a measure of health; all five buildings were rated as extremely walkable — meaning it’s easy to live without a car — and had green space within a half-mile.
And we also discovered that Presidential Towers, one of the largest residential buildings in the country, has the right idea.
How healthy is your high-rise?
Presidential Towers, the West Side residential fortress that’s home to more than 4,000 Chicagoans, is on a health kick.
Near the main entrance, walking maps on the wall show mileage and calories burned. The in-building market features organic products and food labeled a “healthy choice.”
“We’re trying to encourage healthy choices,” said Presidential Towers Senior Community Manager Phyllis Kempton, one of the many building management employees who now wear running shoes with their business attire. “We wondered: How can we help residents without forcing them to join a health club?”
The answer is a yearlong residential wellness program called “PTMove. ” Developed in conjunction with the Building a Healthier Chicago Initiative, the campaign focuses on three key areas known to reduce disease risk: increasing activity levels; making healthy food choices; and preventing, detecting and controlling high blood pressure.
By using motivational signs and offering free nutrition seminars, fitness tutorials and health screenings, Kempton says Presidential Towers is on its way to becoming the healthiest high-rise in the city.
But what really makes a healthy living space? We took a broader approach and came up with our own five criteria (see accompanying story). Then we rated the city’s five largest high-rises based on the number of residential units according to Appraisal Research Counselors, an appraisal firm.
Our admittedly unscientific analysis overlooked many factors, such as outdoor air quality or pest control.
But the elements are universal; use them as a start to rank your own home’s health.
Presidential Towers
555 W. Madison St.
312-902-2000
ptmove.com
4 towers, 2,346 units
Walkability 18.4
Conservation 8
Access to green space 14
Fitness facilities 20
Healthy eating options 19
Total 79.4 OUT OF 100
The Presidential Towers Market, which features organic fruits and vegetables, milk, frozen entrees and food labeled as a “healthy choice,” was by far the best on-site supermarket of the five buildings. The fitness center ($55 per month for residents, $80 for non-residents) features a 25-yard lap pool and an outdoor “cushioned” running track.
On the horizon: A planned expansion to the fitness center will feature a green roof. The building is planning to convert to energy-saving lighting.
Regents Park
5020 S. Lake Shore Drive
773-288-5050
regentsparkchicago.com
1,030 units
Walkability 16.4
Conservation 8
Access to green space 20
Fitness facilities 19
Healthy eating options 16
Total 79.4 OUT OF 100
The third floor boasts tranquil Bergan Garden, a designated Audubon bird sanctuary that resembles a Japanese tea garden. Seven parks are located within a mile of the building. The health club is pricey ($120 per month for residents, $135 for non-residents) but it’s open 24 hours and includes a lap pool with a retractable roof and a dry-heat sauna. The in-building market has a mediocre selection of fruits and vegetables but does stock organic turkey burgers and organic milk and soy milk.
On the horizon: Switching from fluorescent to LED lamps in common spaces.
McClurg Court Center
333 E. Ontario St.
888-792-0119
mcclurgcourt.com
2 towers, 1,058 units
Walkability 20
Conservation 9
Access to green space 17
Fitness facilities 18
Healthy eating options 4
Total 68.0 OUT OF 100
McClurg Court Center is home to Lakeshore Athletic Club McClurg Ct., which features three tennis courts and a lap pool. Memberships start at $109 a month. Building management is replacing incandescent bulbs with fluorescent bulbs wherever possible. They’re also using more efficient plumbing fixtures when replacement is needed, said general manager John Egan. McClurg’s weak spot was healthy eating; the closest food option is a 7-Eleven on the corner.
On the horizon: Using paints with low volatile organic compounds.
400 E. Randolph
Formerly Outer Drive East
312-540-9000
neweastside.com;
40 stories, 955 units
Walkability 18.2
Conservation 10
Access to green space 19
Fitness facilities 8
Healthy eating options 7
Total 62.2 OUT OF 100
400 E. Randolph has easy lakefront access and seven parks within a half-mile. Residents can swim in the building’s famous geodesic domed pool and play table tennis, racquetball and bingo, but the building’s fitness center is undergoing a $2 million renovation. The convenience mart offers a small selection of fruits and vegetables but nothing organic. A private bus shuttles residents around the city. New construction rules call for more green materials to be used to refurbish apartments.
On the horizon: The new health club will use eco-friendly materials.
Marina Towers
300 N. State St.
312-222-1111
marina-city.com
896 units
Walkability 19.6
Conservation 8
Access to green space 16
Fitness facilities 2
Healthy eating options 2
Total 48.6 OUT OF 100
Marina Towers was hit hard by two factors: Crunch Fitness recently moved out of the building, and the in-building market offered the smallest produce selection of the five. Still, the famous corncob buildings designed by Bertrand Goldberg could turn out to be the greenest of them all. “In trying to keep with Goldberg’s original lighting theories, We’re not only looking at energy savings and greenness but in the historical character of the complex,” said property manager David Gantt.
On the horizon: Green cleaning supplies, new health and fitness center.
The criteria
20: Best score possible in each category.
– Walkability
The Loop is a “walker’s paradise,” according to walkscore.com, a Web site that provides walkability ratings on a 100-point scale. Simply type in an address, and Walk Score evaluates how close you are to grocery stores, restaurants, schools, parks and other destinations.
– Conservation efforts
We gave points for having I-GO cars, recycling programs, energy efficiency and use of materials with low volatile organic compounds.
– Access to green space
We considered proximity to parks and other green sanctuaries. Simply staring out a window at a natural setting lowers stress, but tree therapy — or a walk through a park — can lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol, researchers say.
– Fitness facilities
We assessed health clubs inside the buildings.
– Healthy eating options
Although every building was near a grocery store that offered organic food, we looked at whether it was possible to get healthy food inside the building or on the same block.
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5 ways to make your home healthier
These tips come from Jane Corey Holt, co-owner of Green Homes, which conducts eco-audits of homes and businesses.
1. Get rid of toxic cleaners. Why would you put on your floor something you need to lock up under the sink?
2. Buy local food. Avoid excess packaging, eat fresh food and eat together as a family.
3. Wash your hands regularly with regular soap. Don’t use anti-bacterial soap that contains chemicals such as triclosan. (Waterless hand sanitizers are OK.)
4. Ditch the plastic food and beverage containers. Never reheat in plastic, don’t use plastics No. 3, 6 & 7.
5. Leave your shoes at the door. So you don’t track in the pesticides and pollutants from outside.
— J.D.
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Feel better
Get an even healthier helping at chicagotribune.com/julie.
