(Above) Improvements to Marina City’s new “model floor” include new doors, carpet, and lights. (Click on image to view larger version.)

November 22, 2010 – Nine months and $16,000 later, residents at Marina City have a “model floor” on which to preview proposed changes to the 79 other floors.

Units on the 53rd floor of the east tower have new doors leading to a new hallway and elevator lobby. The doors have new doorknockers and peepholes, installed at a lower level to accommodate shorter residents. Above each door is a new light fixture. Cobalt blue carpeting now encircles the core of the model floor.

The doorknockers (left) include a design based on a “star map” buried in the foundation of Marina City in 1962. The map shows the position of stars and planets on November 22, 1960, the day of the groundbreaking ceremony. (Click on image to view larger version.)

Designers apparently changed their minds about Egyptian glass tile that was installed in the elevator lobby in late September. The walls are now white with a black-and-white print by photographer Cesar Russ, who recently moved his gallery into space formerly used as a meeting room by the condo association at Marina City. Residents will likely be asked to vote from choices for a permanent wall material, such as Carrera marble.

The model floor was proposed last December and approved by Marina Towers Condominium Association’s board of directors on February 18. Renovations to the floor will cost unit owners $16,127.