Archive of the Category 'Wirtz News'
Wirtz Residential Wins Three CAMME Awards
Congratulations to the Wirtz Residential team for winning 3 Chicagoland Apartment Marketing And Management Excellence (CAMME) awards at the 2023 event on April 14!
Property Excellence, Vintage: 3240 North Lake Shore Drive
Maintenance Professional, Vintage: Zdenko Barisic
Maintenance Team, Vintage: Cornelia/Stratford
Mental Health Benefits of Dogs & Adoption Locations in Chicago
Having a furry companion during the COVID-19 pandemic is an absolute blessing. For those of us removed from family and loved ones, an adoring animal can change the entire atmosphere of a living situation.
Dogs have always been my personal favorite pet because of their loving energy and endless affection. Their attentiveness and tenderness have a plethora of mental health benefits, too. If you’re looking to add a dog to your household, here are just a few of their positive health effects.
Mindfulness
Having a dog in the house can increase our mindfulness. With the stresses of a pandemic, many of us have been relying on certain tactics for necessary guidance. An increase of activities like yoga and meditating makes sense during such trying times. Petting, playing, or walking a dog can be similarly helpful to reconnecting with our bodies.
A primary focus in meditation is to be present in our body. Increasing mindfulness is a difficult task that dogs are known to aid with. “The benefits of interacting with a dog is the opportunity it provides to be more mindful – to purposely focus your attention on the present moment” (1). Increasing mindfulness is something sitting down and petting your dog’s fur can improve.
Even walking your dog can strengthen your mental health. Of course, exercising has a long list of proven benefits. But excluding the physical elements, the perfunctory nature of walking can make it “possible to recover the pure sense of being” (1). Doing an easy exercise to clear the mind is endlessly helpful for invoking body connectedness.
Loneliness & Depression
Humans are extremely social beings by default. Cutting off our daily interactions can be extremely difficult at times. Dogs can play an essential role in stabilizing our happiness while providing wonderful companionship.
The support of a furry confidante can be as stress-relieving as living with a close friend or family member. The “bond and companionship” of a dog can make a “huge difference in mental health” (1). With so many of us missing out on our in-person relationships, canines can be a great supplement for these interactions. The beautiful bond we have with our pups has an extremely positive effect on quelling or eliminating loneliness.
Structure & Routine
This is my biggest problem when it comes to quarantine. Some days feel inconceivably long, with no structure to divide up the hours. Taking care of a dog, or any household pet, solves this issue with their routine upkeep.
Dogs, especially, need care and playtime that need attention at specific times in the day. The days where it’s hard to be motivated might dissipate because you’ll “have to get out of bed to feed, exercise, and care” (2) for your pet. Just like mindfulness, supporting your animal requires focus and attention. Adding your pet’s upkeep into your daily routine, days that feel most daunting can become more manageable..
Balance is an integral part of our lives as human beings. Having everyday tasks and structure, like caring for a pet, are essential to positive mental health practices in quarantine.
Lowering Stress
There’s been many studies that show how petting an animal can reduce stress. Apparently, “just 10 minutes can have a significant impact” (3) on high stress levels.
The science behind it has to do with the cortisol in our body. When petting a dog, cortisol levels have been known to drop dramatically. With this, an increase in motivating hormones like serotonin occurs, which can decrease stress. Antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications often try to increase the levels of serotonin in our brain similarly. If medication isn’t your first choice, petting an animal can be closely effective.
Adopting in Chicago
Now that we know the mental health benefits of having a canine companion, you might be searching for a place to retrieve one. There are plenty of adoption centers in Chicago to visit for any dog lover. Here are some of the prime locations for adopting in the city.
Red Door Animal Shelter
Located on the far north side of Chicago, Red Door is a highly recommended animal shelter and adoption center. Utilizing private funds, the shelter is focused on relocating abused pets from dogs to rabbits.
There are several benefits from adopting at Red Door. They offer neutering, spaying, and admittance for their pets with the inclusion of pet food for any low-income families. With a vehement no-kill policy as well, this humane adoption location is perfect for any north side resident.
Check out their website at www.reddoorshelter.org
Chicago Canine Rescue
Founded in 2001, this dog rescue has saved and rehousing over 7,000 pets in the Chicago area. The dogs come to the rescue from various places around the area: other animal facilities, overwhelmed families, and rural partners to name a few.
Housing all pets in need of a loving home, this shelter has many great options for adopting. Especially for those averse to getting a puppy, the Chicago Canine Rescue takes in a large number of older dogs. As humane as you can get, this rescue shows an unprecedented amount of love for their animals.
Find more about the dogs, donating, and volunteering at https://chicagocaninerescue.org/
One Tail at a Time
Located right on the edge of Wicker Park, this rescue shelter has a tenacious mission to end pet homelessness. Started in an apartment in 2007, the project has grown into a quintessential adoption location in Chicago.
One Tail at a Time has a long history of intercepting city shelter and rehousing those abandoned dogs. They’ve hosted numerous vaccine clinics and often create temporary housing for sick animals. The persistence in finding dogs a loving home shows in their programs and accomplishments. With many dogs to peruse on their website, there’s definitely a pet for everyone at this rescue.
Check out adoptable pets at their website https://www.onetail.org/
Quarantine can be difficult, but you don’t have to go through it alone. There are animals across the city waiting for a comfortable home to scoop them up. With science backing up the obvious mental health benefits, finding a great dog is more important than ever. If you already own a dog be sure to check out our new pet guide for the Northside of Chicago.
Citation List
Plant Pop Up Shop Coming to 422-424 Melrose!
Residents of 422-424 Melrose, 3240 N Lake Shore, 3260 & 3270 N Lake Shore and Cornelia & Stratford, join us for a plant pop up shop Thursday, July 30th from 4-6:30 pm at 422-424 Melrose. Social distancing and masks will be required.
Thanks to Kehoe Designs and Green Market Garden for hosting the pop up shop!
Get to Know 333 N Michigan Avenue, Wirtz’ Historic Commercial Building
At the corner of Wacker Drive and Michigan Avenue sits 333 N Michigan Avenue, Wirtz Realty’s commercial high rise building. Below are some highlights from the building’s rich history.
- Built in 1928, the Art Deco building was designed by Holabird & Root. Holabird & Root also designed Soldier Field, Palmer House, Palmolive Building and Wrigley Field’s 1937 hand-turned scoreboard and center field bleachers.
- 333 N Michigan Avenue is listed on the National Register of Historic Places by the National Park Service and designated a registered Chicago Landmark by the City of Chicago.
- The initial cost of land and building was $9,000,000.
- The unique shape of 333 N Michigan Ave is often noted. It is sixty feet wide by 200 feet long.
- Near the top of 333 N Michigan Avenue are sentinel-like figures sculpted in stone that stare down at passers-by. There is also intricate metalwork that depict the Roman god Neptune.
- The original Tavern Club counted Frank Lloyd Wright, Mayor Richard J. Daley, Carl Sandburg, and William Wrigley as members.
- The original Tavern Club included an ice-skating rink on the 26th floor terrace.
- The building’s recent multi-million dollar renovation brough The Tavern Club at 333, a new social space and event space on the fourth floor of 333 N Michigan Avenue.
Learn more about 333 N Michigan at www.333michigan.com. Chicagology also has some great historical information, photographs and newspaper articles on 333 N Michigan at https://chicagology.com/skyscrapers/skyscrapers062/. You can find out more about The Tavern Club at 333, including information on space rental for events, at www.tavernclub333.com.
Enjoy Fall with these Great Chicago Events in October
This post was updated on October 8, 2018, with new information on October 2018 events.
Autumn is officially here. Chicago is a great place to be this time of year. While the summer neighborhood festivals have come and gone, there are many great fall events to enjoy. Below are some great events coming up in October.
Lincoln Park Zoo Fall Fest
The Lincoln Park Zoo’s Fall Fest is a great way to enjoy the fall season. The family-friendly event includes a corn maze, hay mountain, hay rides, a ferris wheel, pumpkin garden, an edible garden and more.
The Fall Fest also includes a pumpkin patch, where you can purchase a pumpkin to take home.
The Fall Fest runs through October 28, 2018. It is open from 10 am – 5 pm on Fridays and Sundays and from 10 am – 8 pm on Saturdays. Admission is free, but you do need to purchase tickets for certain activities. Learn more at www.lpzoo.org/fall-fest.
Andersonville Sweetish Stroll
Experience the sweeter side of Andersonville with a crawl that gives you permission to eat your dessert before your dinner. This event features two routes and 20 participating locations. It’s a great way to enjoy the Andersonville neighborhood while satisfying your sweet tooth.
The Andersonville Sweetish Stroll is Sunday October 28, from 2-5 pm. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at nightout.com/events/2018-andersonville-sweetish-stroll/tickets.
Open House Chicago
The Chicago Architecture Foundation’s Open House Chicago (OHC) is the city’s annual architecture festival. Chicago’s most iconic and unique architectural treasures are open to the public for one weekend. You can explore mansions, sacred spaces, theaters, private clubs, hotels, and other places. It’s your chance to check out places in Chicago that are rarely, if ever, open to the public.
Wirtz Realty’s commercial building, 333 N Michigan Avenue, is part of the Open House Chicago festival. Find out more about the historic building at openhousechicago.org/sites/site/333-n-michigan-ave/.
Open House Chicago is October 13-14. Admission is free and registration is not required. Learn more at their web site: openhousechicago.org.
Clark Street Spooktacular 2018
Participating businesses from Armitage to Diversey, and on the south side of Diversey from Orchard to Lakeview, open their doors to trick-or-treaters from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m on Sunday, October 28. After trick-or-treating, there will be a costume contest at HopCat, 2577 N Clark. Clark Street Spooktacular is free and family-friendly.
Crain’s Chicago Business names The Tavern Club at 333 one of Chicago’s Best New Event Spaces for 2018
The Tavern Club at 333 N Michigan has been named one of the best new event spaces of 2018 by Crain’s Chicago Business!
“Once a social club frequented by the likes of Frank Lloyd Wright, Carl Sandburg and William Wrigley, this space on Michigan Avenue has undergone a $60 million renovation—and received the 2017 Chicago Landmark Award for Preservation Excellence—to revive its status as a community oasis on the Mag Mile.”
Learn more about The Tavern Club at 333 at tavernclub333.com.
YoChicago Names Wirtz Residential One of Chicago’s Best Landlords in 2018
YoChicago has included Wirtz Residential in their 2018 list of Chicago’s best landlords.
They say the following about Wirtz:
“Wirtz Residential has more than 80 years of residential ownership and management expertise in the Chicago area. Wirtz has dozens of properties in prime near-lakefront locations, including a broad selection of apartments in Lakeview at 2970 N Sheridan, 529-41 W Wellington, 535 W Cornelia & 634 W Stratford, 3000 N Sheridan, 422-24 W Melrose, 3240 N Lake Shore and 3260-3270 N Lake Shore. Wirtz’ latest offering, 2950 North Sheridan in Lakeview, opened for occupancy in April of 2017.”
Hero Coffee Bar Coming to 2950 N Sheridan
We’re thrilled to announce that Hero Coffee Bar will be opening in the first floor of 2950 N Sheridan in early 2018! This will be their fourth location, with others in the Loop, Roscoe Village, and Bucktown.
Learn more about Hero Coffee Bar at hero-coffee.com/.
333 N Michigan Ave Featured on Chicago Tonight
333 N Michigan Avenue is featured in a recent episode of WTTW’s Chicago Tonight show. The segment discusses the three busts on the corners of the building near the 30th floor. The segment also discusses 333’s history and recent renovations.
You can watch the segment at http://chicagotonight.wttw.com/2017/10/25/ask-geoffrey-what-are-those-faces-michigan-avenue.
333 N Michigan Avenue Takes Part in Open House Chicago
333 N Michigan Avenue will take part in Open House Chicago this weekend, October 14-15. The Chicago Architecture Foundation hosts the seventh-annual event. The free event takes the public behind the scenes at more than 200 of the greatest spaces and places in the city and near suburbs.
Open House Chicago is part of a worldwide movement of free open house events that began in London in 1992. It started as a small nonprofit organization to promote public awareness and appreciation of London’s building design and architecture. Today more than 30 cities on five continents hold similar weekend festivals. Open House Chicago is the largest event of its kind in North America.
333 N Michigan Ave was also awarded a 2017 Chicago Landmark Award for Preservation Excellence by the Commission on Chicago Landmarks. The award honors outstanding projects that involve notable improvements to individual Chicago Landmarks or to buildings within Chicago Landmark Districts.
A recently completed $50 million dollar renovation has added modern amenities, LEED certification, and newly built suites to the Landmark 333 N Michigan building, a beautiful, Art Deco structure designed by Holabird and Root, and built in 1929.
Learn more about 333 N Michigan Ave at 333michigan.com.
