Live-in musicians are the latest amenity to attract you to live in River North

Amenities for high rise buildings are generally culled from a well-honed list of known popular offerings—a lounge, gym, a pool, an outdoor deck, and grilling stations wouldn’t really lead anyone to blink an eyelash. Being LEED certified is often expected.

At the 34-story, 298-unit Exhibit on Superior, amenities for the studio, convertible, and 1 to 3-bedroom units include those, as well as keyless entry with smartphone integration, stainless steel appliances, in-unit washer and dryer and more. Quite nice—but the downtown luxury apartment market glut has led to an arms race to attract new residents and keep rents from being slashed.

And even though the price point is comparably lower (and the floor plans are comparably smaller) than other neighborhood offerings to attract a younger demographic, developer Magellan Development Group and MAC Management wanted to bring some artistry and magic to their building (and to their other properties, if this catches on). Here’s the idea.

A contest is open for the best acoustic guitarist and vocalist to live and play for one year at Exhibit on Superior. The winning musician gets free rent at an unfurnished studio for a year, the title of Musician in Residence, and the chance to hone their skills while playing against any number of cool nooks and spaces in the bKL Architecture-designed building. The residents get in-house live entertainment and bragging rights to live in a building with the first so-called Exhibit A-Lister.

“This program will create a destination where residents and friends can come to unwind and be entertained,” says Jim Losik, National Marketing Director, Magellan Development Group. Residents can hear the musician in the fifth floor amenity space, which is performance-ready. Just pick your perch from any of the seating areas you see.

Nick Fochtman

In the culture-rich neighborhood of River North that’s filled with galleries, restaurants, and shopping, The Exhibit on Superior has the right eclectic and artsy vibe to pull off a contest like this. “We have always been a major advocate of the arts so we couldn’t be more thrilled to launch this never-before-seen program,” said David Carlins, President of Magellan Development Group. The site definitely got upgraded from its former identity as the location of the old Howard Johnson hotel.

And so the hunt for the right musician is on. But just until March 21. To enter, post a one-minute video demo on your social channels using the hashtag #ExhibitALister and tag Exhibit on Superior. The top five contenders will perform for judges and party guests during the VIP Exhibit A-Lister party hosted this spring at the building. The winner will be expected to entertain and/or instruct at the Exhibit a minimum of 8 to 10 hours per week, at no charge to the residents. Get more details on their website.

• Inside Exhibit, River North’s newest apartment tower [Curbed Chicago]