About 200 people attended a grand opening celebration on Wednesday, taking over most of a 28th floor space that includes both north and south-facing terraces. Guests included the building’s architect, Gary Handel, and interior designer Kara Mann.

The building’s owner, Related Midwest, is juggling multiple projects in Chicago. The company is planning to build a 67-story residential tower in Streeterville. Designed by New York architect Robert A. M. Stern, the project will include 100 condominium units and 400 rental units – and a makeover of a 1.7-acre park between East Grand Avenue and East Illinois Street.

Chicago’s bKL Architecture, meanwhile, is working on a $1.6 billion re-development project for Related Midwest and Chicago Housing Authority. Located northwest of the Loop on a 32-acre site near Diversey & Clybourne, the Julia C. Lathrop Homes will include 1,208 more-modest rental units.

On the north side of the Loop, half of the 504 luxury apartments at 111 West Wacker – or just “OneEleven,” as Related Midwest has shortened it to – are now rented, The company has said that construction of the building should be fully complete by September 1.

Its 500-unit rental property at 500 Lake Shore Drive that opened last year is now fully leased and Related Midwest says it is part of a trend.

“We have seen continued demand for high-end apartments in the city’s best locations,” says Curt Bailey, president of Related Midwest.

He says OneEleven, where rents start at $2,195 per month, has “filled a void” along the riverfront.

When Related Midwest purchased the site in 2011, construction had started on just 26 floors. The project was conceived as an 89-story condominium and hotel. Shangri-La Hotel & Resorts had planned to open its first United States location there. Construction of Waterview Tower started in 2006 and stopped in 2007 when the original developer, Teng & Associates, ran out of money.

Bailey was in front of his building on Wednesday morning as a construction canopy was disassembled.

“It had been up for eight years,” he noted, “so, this is an eight year long journey.”

(Above) Bailey speaks to guests on a 28th floor terrace near the southeast corner of 111 West Wacker. In the distance at right is 77 West Wacker Drive. (Click on images to view larger versions.)

(Above left) The structure at left houses a two-lane swimming pool that was part of the building’s original design when it was going to be called Waterview Tower. (Above right) Overhead view of guests at a reception celebrating the opening of OneEleven, a luxury apartment building on the north side of the Loop. (Left) The building at left is 203 North LaSalle, also known as Loop Transportation Center.  Previous story: 111 Wacker construction complete by September