A few photos of One Bennett Park construction in Streeterville (units under contract up to $6 million)

No way I ride in one of those exterior high-rise construction elevators! All amazing photography Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty (on way old Samsung Galaxy)

One Bennett Park (451 E. Grand Ave. Chicago, IL 60611) is a luxury new construction condo and apartment tower in Streeterville.  The location, among the many glassy and classy buildings, is close to the lake, Navy Pier and the recognizable Lofts at River East across the street on 445 East Illinois (not so glassy). I snapped some photos of the One Bennett Park site on Monday. I'm still amazed after all these years how they build these things in tight quarters adjacent to completed buildings.

Great lake of shiny glass buildings in the eastern portion of Streeterville near the lakefront.

The popular Lofts rental apartments across the street to the south at 445 East Illinois. One Bennett Park is also across from the Target store at McClurg and Illinois, Pinstripes, and Cupital.

The One Bennett Park site boasts a large central park at the base of the building.

MREDLLC.com (our MLS) shows units under contract from $1.8 million to $6.2 million. We often visit sales centers with our clients to help them research available options.  Pre-construction buildings do not typically list all there available units. One Bennett Park only shows a handful of listed units on the MLS.

Arts and crafts at Chicago's Children's Museum, Navy Pier

Learning how to work with clay in the Children Museum's classroom last week.

We still enjoy the Chicago Children's Museum at Navy Pier after nearly 10 years of visits.  With four kids now from 9 1/2 yrs old to 15 months we utilize a lot of the family friendly institutions and public parks around the city.  We've asked grandparents, aunts and uncles to think about museum memberships for gifts rather than "plastic stuff".  The Children's Museum and surrounding area offers us a lot of bang for the buck.

The water feature is a hit and allows for some outdoor fun along with the museum.

We can usually get some guests in on our passes and bring our kids' friends to keep everyone busy.  Navy Pier has been going through a lot of renovations and the public park with water feature is a great activity to run the kids tired.  The Streeterville neighborhood at Navy Pier offers a lot of great places to eat along with Olive Park and Ohio Street Beach more outdoor fun.

After the museum we often stop at Ohio Street Beach right near the pier.

"Gaming" at Navy Pier

We often do "touristy" and even quirky things in Chicago...because we can.  Groupon suggested we go to the Chicago Toy and Game Fair at Navy Pier...and we did.  Among other things we took pictures with Storm Troopers, played original board and skill games with kid inventors, slid down bouncy slides and ate CHEEZBORGERS at the Billy Goat Tavern.

Blowing up balloons!

The artist

Working with clay at the Children's Museum, Navy Pier

Fountain of Youth

Playing at Navy Pier

Good Morning Chicago: The artist

Working with clay at the Children's Museum at Navy Pier

Peaceful city views from Chicago Children's Museum at Navy Pier

 It's quieter out there in the big city than in here.  There are several nice views of the city and lake from various exhibits at the museum.

Looking out from the "Water Works" at the Children's Museum, Navy Pier.

Check out information on the Children's Museum HERE.  You may also get half-off admission with a membership at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum. An afternoon at either place guarantees the kids will be sleeping by 7:00PM that evening..

Lincoln Park 2520: New construction on the rise

The tower framing continues at the eastern end of the development site.

Here's a few shots Bob took from last weekend of Lincoln Park 2520. The high-end and unique new construction development is marketed by our brokerage Prudential Rubloff Properties. We are pleased to see an uptick in interest and marketing on the heels of major funding for the 39 floor ultra located high-rise.

One of the more interesting aspects of the development was captured here by Bob reaching above the fence (he's tall). Lincoln Park 2520 preserves the Saint Francis Xavier Cabrini chapel shown here in protective casing.

A rendering of the finished building...

This development will be completed in early 2012. This is a very reasonable time frame to choose your home and make plans to transition to a preferred lifestyle in Chicago's most desirable north side location.

Get use to the cranes!

More Tall Ships photos at Navy Pier

One ticket package included sailing on the tall ships.

I suppose all those ropes do something.

Tall Ships at Navy Pier, great Chicago family day

Our son Ryne got to board the ship from his favorite movie, "Pirates of the Caribbean"!

The "tourist attractions" in Chicago are sometimes best enjoyed by local Chicagoans. Take Navy Pier for instance...The Pepsi Tall Ships Festival is a great time for the family (and singles alike), and you still have through this weekend to enjoy it.

We had fantastic weather and there was plenty to do for the kids in the festival areas. Ryne chants along with "Captain Willie".

I heard one passerby express "This is a perfect Chicago day".

Like many city museums, parks, festivals and special events Navy Pier is fun and easy to get to by Lake Shore Drive, trains, buses or walking for Chicago families.