Grand Opening: AMLI Brings Healthy Living to Evanston

With rooftop champagne, jazz trios, grand tours and fine chocolates on almost every table, AMLI Evanston celebrated its grand opening in style Thursday evening.

The new high-rise apartment building at 737 Chicago Ave. officially opened about two months ago, on April 15. They’ve reached 33 percent capacity with 60 units occupied, according to sales and marketing coordinator Marissa Pellegrini.

Pellegrini said that the Evanston community has had a positive reaction so far to the new apartment building, which also offers live-work spaces, combining space for small businesses downstairs and studio apartments above them. 

“[Live work spaces] allows for an art community as well. It’s almost like this will be its own little village,” Pellegrini said.

Arnold Glass, a 50-year Evanston resident, was the first resident to move into the building, and he said, “after two months, it’s home.”

Glass said the new residents at AMLI are a diverse population. 

“There are children here. There are seniors. … There are working people,” he said. “It’s convenient to go downtown with the two trains. It’s convenient to go to the North Shore. I would say if anyone is looking to rent in Evanston, this is the place.”

AMLI includes a luxury community space that's open 24/7,  a three-part fitness center, rooftop courtyard, cyber café and recycling center. Rents start around $1,600 per month for a one-bed, one-bath apartment.

A variety of businesses, such as Dollop Coffee and Hoosier Mama Pie Company, will soon open in the first floor retail spaces.

Koi, Oceanique  and Belgian Chocolatier Piron catered AMLI’s grand opening, and Jerry Tiberi jazz trio played music at the event.

Money raised at the event benefitted SAGE (Schools Are Gardening in Evanston), which gives students opportunities to plant, harvest and taste fresh foods.