CHICAGO, IL - Chicago-based Mary Cook Associates (MCA), a national, award-winning commercial interior design firm, today released images from the recently-opened Highpoint at 8000 North, a luxury rental community in downtown Skokie, Ill. The MCA team completed the interiors for the project including amenities, common areas and three model units.
Located at the northwest corner of Lincoln Avenue and Oakton Street, the 12-story property was developed through a public-private partnership between the Village of Skokie and Murphy Development Group. It features 153 residences, including studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom floor plans, and a full suite of indoor and outdoor amenities. The property welcomed its first residents in early spring.
MCA drew inspiration for the interiors at Highpoint at 8000 North from the traditional detailing of the building’s exterior, which was designed by architect Lucien Lagrange. The MCA team curated a mix of materials and elements throughout, including large-format porcelain tile flooring, rich stained wood tones, burnished metals, natural stone, clean-lined furnishings and an array of unique art, sculptures and decorative accessories, to create a sophisticated aesthetic that is both classic and modern.
“With its prime, walkable location in the heart of downtown Skokie, Highpoint at 8000 North evokes an urban lifestyle and presented a unique opportunity to offer a caliber of design and amenities more typical of city properties,” said MCA founder and president Mary Cook. “Our team took advantage of the light-filled floor plans, high ceilings and downtown views to create luxurious spaces that combine the elegance of the facade with a more contemporary edge.”
The building’s amenities and common areas include an expansive lobby, which is anchored on one end by a fireplace and also offers access to adjacent mail and package rooms; multiple lounges for remote work, relaxing, socializing and entertaining; a demonstration kitchen; fitness center with yoga studio; a game room; dog run and pet spa; and a rooftop terrace offering grilling areas, group seating, fire pits and sweeping views of the surrounding area and the Chicago skyline.
“Our first step for any design project is to consider the psychographics – the values, attitudes, interests, lifestyles and aspirations – of the end-users,” explained Mary Cook. “We approached Highpoint at 8000 North with a diverse multi-generational demographic in mind, with the goal of creating a community that would resonate with a variety of renters – including local baby boomers looking to downsize, tech-focused professionals employed at Skokie’s nearby Illinois Science +Technology Park, and downtown commuters taking advantage of nearby transit.”
The MCA team also designed the model units at Highpoint at 8000 North to resonate with prospective renters and showcase available floor plans. The models have served as a powerful leasing tool by helping residents visualize themselves living at the property and seeing how the units will match their lifestyle, Cook said.
According to Cook, the strategic interior design for Highpoint at 8000 North has contributed to the community outperforming original leasing projections. “Within just a few months of opening, the Murphy Development Group reported that the community was approximately 50% leased well ahead of schedule, with interest continuing to build at a steady pace.”
To view images of Highpoint at 8000 North, click here.
For more information about Mary Cook Associates, visit www.marycook.com
About Mary Cook Associates: Established in 1986, Mary Cook Associates (MCA) is a fully integrated interior architecture and design firm nationally known for creating innovative interiors for leading owners and developers of real estate. The firm’s projects include multifamily, model homes, student living, senior living, clubhouses, restaurants, and hospitality environments. MCA’s work emphasizes functionality, showcases possibilities, and delivers a measurable Return on Environment (R.O.E.).
MCA’s team includes more than two dozen designers and architects that are strategic, imaginative and skilled at designing a wide variety of spaces that respond to demographic, geographic and lifestyle influences of target markets. Smart, functional spaces that establish immediate connections with their users and boost Living Better by Design℠, increase property value, and accelerate sales and occupancy rates are the hallmarks of the results MCA consistently achieves. In its 36th year, the firm continues to expand its national presence with award-winning work across the country.