In case you haven’t notice lately, there’s more to cell phones than meet the ear.
Added to the array of visual experiences being plugged into smartphones, a new generation of cell phones that take pictures and a lot more, is a convenient way to shop for a new condominiums.
This is being introduced by Magellan Development Group, developer of the popular new Lakeshore East Community on the New East Side.
Prompted by the extraordinary growth of smartphones, Magellan has pasted a 21-square-inch Barcode designed by Bar Code Graphics Inc. onto a street-level window of the award-winning Aqua tower at 225 N. Columbus Drive, just north of the CVS Pharmacy, to enhance its marketing efforts.
Passers-by are invited to “Use your smartphone to scan this code for information on Aqua Condos for sale.”
Not your grandmother’s way to shop for a new home, the window explains:
“Text ‘smartcode’ to 313131 to download a free 2D code reader app for your smartphone. This app is compatible with iphone, Blackberry, Android and most other popular camera phones.”
Is it working?
“In the first few days that we posted the barcode we had nearly two dozen hits to the Magellan website via smartphone access, so we know it’s working,” reported Robin Loewenberg Berger, Magellan’s chief marketing officer. “It may not work for everyone, but for our marketing target it’s really proving to be a successful marketing tool.” Aqua was selected because it offers unique access to street traffic.
The 82-story mixed-use Aqua tower with the rippling balconies at 225 N. Columbus Drive, recent winner of the Emporis International Skyscraper of the Year Award, is a blend of condominiums, rental units, hotel, commercial and office space with a six-floor underground parking garage.
Aqua’s spectacular design has been described as one of the best and boldest additions to the Chicago skyline in years. Of particular note that is readily apparent to observers are Aqua’s balconies that flow around the tower like ocean waves and appear to create variously shaped towers within the tower. Small wonder that Aqua has already become one of Chicago’s most interesting new tourist attractions.
Its distinguished design is just one of Aqua’s attractions.
Location, of course, is another. Aqua anchors the west end of Lakeshore East, which is a block away from Millennium Park and the Chicago River and two blocks from Lake Michigan and Michigan Avenue.
Another is extraordinary views. Its 262 condos rise from the 53rd to the 81st floor providing spectacular views in all directions. Magellan co-CEO Joel Carlins notes that Aqua’s lowest condo floors are higher than the highest of most other condo buildings in the city.
Add to the list of reasons variety. Available units range from studios to three-bedrooms, priced from the high $200,000s to more than $1 million, with one four-bedroom unit on the 81st floor at nearly $2 million.
And topping the list of Aqua attractions is its incomparable amenities package. Sitting atop the tower’s three-story podium is an 80,000-square-foot deck with luxury gardens, gazebos, pools and cabañas, hot tubs, a running track, fire pit and grills. Indoors, a 35,000-square-foot amenity floor provides fitness facilities, an indoor lap pool, a spa featuring hot tubs, sauna, steam and massage room, private party suites with catering kitchens, media room, billiards and game area, business center, skygarden lounge and concierge services.
And all of this is available for viewing on a smartphone.
Or you can go to your computer and visit www.MagellanDevelopment.com or contact Leila Zammatta of Magellan Realty at 312-493-8200 for information.
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