When completed, the Vista Towers in Lakeshore East will become the third tallest building in Chicago consisting of residences and a 5-star hotel, but first we celebrate it getting off the ground. Though Anbang, the insurance company snapping up hospitality deals in the US recently made news after backing out of the Starwood deal, another Chinese led entity, commercial & luxury property developer Wanda Group, is banking on Chicago with the Jeanne Gang designed Vista Towers complex, their first American property in their ambitious global expansion. Vista Towers will have luxury, expensive (for the avg up and comer at least) residences ranging from a 1,050 square foot 1-bedroom unit to a multi-story penthouse with 360 view of the skyline.
Michael Purefoy, Jim Loewenberg, Joel Carlins, Jeanne Gang, Sean Linnane, David Carlins, Robin Loewenberg Tebbe, Deputy Mayor Steve Koch
Thursday (3/31) evening guests including representatives from Magellan Development Group with co-CEOs Joel Carlins and James Loewenberg, Robin Loewenberg Tebbe, The Wanda Group’s Michael Purefoy and Rohan a’Beckett, Jeanne Gang’s Studio Gang Architects were joined by the likes of Larry and Marilyn Fields, print mag editors J.P Anderson, Susanna Homan, news media personalities Marion Brooks, Kathy Brock, Todd Woolman, designer Mac Duggal with wife Bubbly, Leena Duggal, Tom Kehoe whose firm outfitted the gallery for the reception, Nina Mariano, Dominic DiFrisco, Neal Zucker, Chezi Rafaeli, Ian and Kelly Dolyniuk, Mark Tebbe, EXPO Chicago’s Tony Karman, Art Institute’s Zoe Ryan, J.R. and Katie Berger and many more as they oooh and ahhhed over the replica of the 95-floor building before winding through the sales gallery, to the bar and into the kitchen where James Beard award winning NEXT executive Chef Dave Beran and Jamie Beran’s were whipping up (literally) some delicious gastro creations. Though mayor Emanuel was on hand for the initial announcement and ground breaking, recent unfavorable headlines has him laying low on the social scene, thus Deputy Mayor Steve Koch attended in his stead.
Dave Beran and Jamie Beran
If you follow us on snapchat you would have gotten a look at what went down, as it was happening, including the truffled egg in shell. Make sure you follow us to get the low down on the scene as its happening ? @socialifechi
Guests were welcomed with wine and champagne, sounds from Kat V aka rock Violinist, Katarina Visnevska, and DJ Adam before posing in front of the Kehoe Design Vista flower wall adorned with succulents.
Robin Loewenberg Tebbe, Dave Beran, Tom Kehoe, Leila Zammatta
Below are pics from the scene. If you’re looking for things to do in and around Chicago be sure to check out our social calendar HERE we are always updating it.
Tony Karman, Marion Brooks
Tom Kehoe, Nina Mariano, Robin Loewenberg Tebbe, Neal Zucker
Mark Tebbe, Robin Loewenberg Tebbe, Marilyn Fields, Larry Fields
Marion Brooks, David Beran, Todd Wolfman
Kathy Brock, Robin Loewenberg Tebbe, Zoe Ryan, Jeanne Gang
Susanna Homan, JP Anderson
Jeanne Gang, Robin Loewenberg Tebbe
Dominic-DiFrisco, Nina Mariano, Robin Loewenberg Tebbe, Jim Loewenberg
Deputy Mayor Steve Koch and Jeanne Gang
photo credit: Barry Brecheisen
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