Smoke-Free Apartment Building Thriving

CHICAGO, IL - January 1, 2009 marked the one-year anniversary of the Smoke-free Illinois Act, prohibiting smoking in virtually all public places and workplaces. As Chicago's first completely smoke-free apartment building, AMLI 900 is catering to those who want to live in a smoke-free environment. Located at 900 S. Clark St. in the South Loop, this luxury apartment building began leasing in May 2008.

AMLI's Breatheasy program strictly prohibits smoking by residents and guests inside and outside AMLI 900. The program, already successful at select AMLI communities in Seattle and Atlanta, promises a healthier living environment for residents and their guests.

'The feedback from prospective and current residents has been overwhelmingly positive,' said Jennifer Wolf, Senior Vice President of Development for AMLI Residential. 'People have been working smoke-free for a long time, and they seem happy to have a chance to play smoke-free since the Smoke-free Illinois Act went into effect. Now, AMLI is giving apartment renters an option to live completely smoke-free.'

AMLI 900 is also the first new construction rental building in the City of Chicago to receive LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. As part of its LEED certification, AMLI 900 chose to prohibit smoking to comply with an Environmental Tobacco Smoke Control (ETS) pre-requisite, as well as offer a healthier living environment for its residents. The building also is using low-emitting materials such as paint, adhesives, sealants and carpets to reduce the quantity of indoor air contaminants.

Designed with luxury features and priced for young urban renters, the contemporary, glass-and-steel tower offers 440 luxury rental apartments with a choice of 'soft loft' and traditional layouts. Apartments range in size from studios and convertibles to one-, two- and three-bedrooms. With fabulous skyline and lake views, the 24-story building is convenient to Lake Shore Drive, public transportation, and upscale shopping, dining and entertainment in and around the South Loop.

AMLI Residential, a preeminent multifamily real estate firm headquartered in Chicago, focuses on the development, construction and management of luxury apartment communities throughout the country. Founded in 1980, AMLI is wholly-owned by Prime Property Fund, a core, co-mingled institutional fund managed by Morgan Stanley Real Estate. AMLI's current portfolio comprises 59 apartment communities, including over 21,000 apartment homes, and approximately 2,000 additional apartment homes in six locations under development or in lease-up. Breatheasy is a trademarked and branded program established by AMLI Residential Properties.