Inside Sienna: Streeterville’s latest boutique rental development

Clues that Streeterville's recently-opened Sienna apartments might be a little bit different from other run-of-the-mill downtown rental developments appear from the moment one tries to enter off of Ohio Street. True to its mission statement to offer intimate boutique-style living, the six-story building forgoes traditional door staff for a video intercom system that allows residents to control access via their smartphone and provides the option to unlock the door remotely.

Once inside the Solomon Cordwell Buenz-designed building, residents or guests find themselves in a handsome, high-ceilinged entrance hall that more closely resembles a museum or art gallery than a residential lobby. The museum comparison is especially appropriate given the displays of architectural artifacts and older photographs from Streeterville’s bygone industrial past, complete with informational placards.

A similar eye for art and aesthetics was also given to the five residential floors above. Servicing just ten dwelling units per level, the common hallways feature art installations of stained reclaimed wood as well as repurposed foreign newspapers.

Sienna sets the bar pretty high when it comes to its individual units by offering large but efficient layouts featuring high ceilings, sleek kitchen cabinetry, quartz countertops, Nest thermostats, roll-down solar shades, and full-sized washer/ dryer setups. According to the building’s website, one-bedrooms are roughly renting for between $2,500 and $2,700 while some of the larger two-bedrooms can exceed $4,300 per month.

Though the arrival of cold weather meant the majority of Sienna’s outdoor patio furnishings were removed for the season, the building’s outdoor terrace with its green roof is nonetheless tranquil and provides a great perch to catch a glimpse of One Bennett Park beginning its ascent to the southeast. Other communal amenities include a fitness center and an automated package and dry cleaning delivery room.

Sienna was developed by Golub & Company along with partner Diversified Real Estate Capital. Though part of the same large Planned Development (PD) as the glassy 45-story ‘Moment’ tower located just to the south, Sienna is an entirely separate entity. That said, easement agreements are in place allowing the building to share both a parking garage and dog run with its much taller neighbor.

• Previous Streeterville coverage [Curbed Chicago]