With an innovative approach to eco-friendly design, new Wilmette luxury development Optima Verdana is redefining sustainable living on the North Shore.
Optima Verdana’s vertical landscaping system offers yearround greenery, enhances air quality and reduces noise.
There’s an intriguing new player in the world of luxury living on the North Shore: Optima Verdana, a design-forward residential development in downtown Wilmette. Since opening in August 2023, the 100-unit rental community has become one of the area’s most sought-after addresses, achieving full occupancy, with a waitlist to boot. What sets Optima Verdana apart is its focus on delivering a unique lifestyle, where thoughtful design and quality amenities come together. As explained by David Hovey Sr., FAIA, CEO of Optima, Inc., “When we designed Optima Verdana, our goal was to deliver an unrivaled living experience that takes full advantage of the community’s unique position in the heart of downtown Wilmette while delivering exceptional design, amenities and services to residents and their guests.”
With verdant greenery and over 1,500 square feet of open space surrounded by privacy walls, the property’s courtyards provide a serene oasis in buzzing downtown Wilmette.
The development’s most striking feature just might be its innovative vertical landscaping system, making its Midwest debut at this location. From evergreen shrubs to native plants, coniferous species and more, the greenery cascades down the building’s facade, creating a living work of art that thrives, even in the harshest winter months. “Our team planted test beds and evaluated different species for over two years to ensure the plants would stay green all year round and create the cascading motif we sought,” says David Hovey Jr., AIA, President of Optima, Inc. Hovey notes that the building’s living landscape not only adds aesthetic beauty but also provides environmental benefits, such as promoting cooling, improving air quality, reducing dust and smog, managing stormwater, and insulating the building, while enhancing privacy and shielding residents from the sun.
Inviting public spaces encourage socializing among the property’s residents.
Residences range from one to three bedrooms, with penthouses offering up to 2,790 square feet. Each home features premium finishes, floor-to-ceiling windows, and a private outdoor space, with every first-floor unit and all two- and three-bedroom homes including their own private outdoor area. On the first floor, residents have access to a fully equipped fitness center, an indoor pickleball and basketball court, and innovative work-from-home areas designed for productivity. The amenity collection also includes a seventh-floor sky deck with panoramic views, a heated, year-round lap pool, and both indoor and outdoor spaces perfect for entertaining.
The rooftop Sky Deck features a glass-enclosed pool and spa along with a sundeck.
Optima Verdana is more than just a striking structure, argues Hovey Sr.—it’s changing the social landscape of downtown Wilmette. The development has attracted a diverse mix of residents, from local emptynesters seeking to downsize while staying in their beloved community to former city dwellers drawn to the North Shore’s charm combined with sophisticated urban living amenities. At the same time, Optima Verdana brings new vibrancy to Green Bay Road, activating the streetscape and infusing Wilmette’s Village Center with a renewed sense of energy.
For the team behind Optima Verdana, the true success lies in the way the project has improved the lives of its residents. “The most rewarding aspect has been watching Optima Verdana take shape and learning the various ways our work positively impacts residents,” shares Hovey Sr. “It’s fulfilling to know we’re creating spaces that inspire friendships, a sense of community and belonging.” 1210 Central Ave., Wilmette, optimaverdana.com
Photography by: exterior shot of Optima Verdana and the open space greenery photo by Bill Zimmerman; public lounge photo by Michael Duerinck; pool photo by TK PHOTOGRAPHY CHICAGO
