Lobbies at Marina City to be overhauled

(Above) Renderings displayed at Marina City by the condo association of planned changes to the main lobbies of both towers (above) and elevator lobbies (below). Click on images to view larger versions.

December 29, 2012 – Despite protest from residents, the condo association at Marina City will proceed with a $258,599 project to remodel both residential lobbies. In a December 18 memo to unit owners, property manager David Gantt said the changes are needed to ensure “the continued vitality of the investment” that unit owners have made.

“Marina Towers being an iconic building in the city is not well represented by the existing lobby areas,” wrote Gantt. He called the current lobbies “tired and outdated” and insisted that a special assessment will not be needed.

Floors, walls, and ceilings will be updated in the reception area and elevator lobby of each tower. Renovations will include white terrazzo floors, blue carpet, bigger security desks, suspended ceilings, and lighting that is more energy-efficient.

The lobbies, according to Gantt, “will have a mid-century modern look that is in the spirit of the original Bertrand Goldberg design,” referring to the Marina City architect.

On the blog Marina Watchdog, residents are critical of the lobby design by Robert Abell, a condo board member and an architect with Melichar Architects of Lake Forest, Illinois.

“Choice of materials is absurd,” wrote one resident, “the design looks cold and sterile and the notice to residents is objectionable in that it does not so much as ask input.”

Others have compared the designs to “a cold office building corridor from the 1970s,” a mortuary, and a prison cellblock.

“While the…lobbies are well past the point of needing a refresh, the proposed remodel is by no means an improvement,” offered another resident. “It highlights the dangers of a condominium association ownership structure at such scale, where oversight from an appointed board is often inadequate and on occasion detrimental to the asset.”

Marina Towers Condominium Association approved the project on November 15, 2012. Property manager David Gantt expects the remodeling to be completed next spring. The work will be done by Milan Construction, which renovated laundry, fitness, and meeting rooms on the 20th floor of each tower in 2009.