The Reed Southbank Apartments: Your Ultimate Urban Oasis

Chicago’s South Loop neighborhood has a new showpiece – The Reed luxury apartments. The second installation in this Southbank development masterplan joins neighboring Cooper luxury apartments along the south branch of the Chicago River. 

I’ve been not-so-patiently waiting for The Reed’s construction to be completed, and after several years of anticipation, the doors are finally opening. Located just steps from Printer’s Row, at 234 Polk Street, The Reed luxury apartments are a true urban escape.

Developed by Lendlease and designed by Perkins + Will, The Reed is a vision to behold. Standing at a soaring 41 stories, the building has a mix of rental units and condos: 

• Opened in 2023
• Located at 234 W Polk Street
• High-rise building (41 stories) 
• 440 units (224 apartments and 216 condos)
• 300 parking spaces

The Reed’s industrial-modern design aesthetic draws inspiration from nearby Printer’s Row – a historic pocket neighborhood in South Loop. To say its modern apartments and polished amenities are set to impress is an understatement.

New Luxury Apartments in South Loop 

It’s been a treat to watch the residential development in the South Loop explode over the past several years. My team and I have watched awesome new South Loop apartments pop up all over the neighborhood, and The Reed is an absolute standout.

Get to Know the Luxury Apartments at The Reed 

The Reed has an apartment for every need. Available floor plans include: 

• Studio
• Convertible 
• 1-bedroom | 1 bath 
• 2-bedroom | 2 bath 
• 3-bedroom | 2 bath 

The Reed’s modern residences feature some deliciously posh designs. You’ll find exposed concrete elements, enormous windows, and handsome metal details, all stitched together in an open floor plan. Magnificent views are also included.

The stylish kitchens at The Reed apartments feature stainless steel appliances, black quartz countertops, and flat-panel cabinetry. Undercabinet lighting and modern fixtures warm up the cool gray palette beautifully. 

And, let’s talk about those views. Perched on the edge of the Chicago River, The Reed’s scenery is like no other. The hardest part is deciding whether you want a water or city view! 

You’ll fall in love with each luxury apartment detail at The Reed: 

• Floor-to-ceiling windows
• 9’ concrete ceilings
• Balconies in some units
• 7” wide plank hardwood flooring
• Quartz countertops
• Porcelain backsplash
• Soft close cabinetry
• USB outlets in the kitchen and bedroom

Apartment Floor Plans at The Reed 

Studios to 3-bedroom units, The Reed has a floor plan no matter your needs. Each unit, no matter its square footage, delivers the same effortless elegance. I’ve poured over each floor plan, and here are my two dream units!

New One Bedroom Apartments at The Reed 

Want to rent a one-bedroom apartment near Printer’s Row that has a little extra elbow room? At 755 square feet, this unit makes such great use of its space. Tucked away in the front entry is a huge storage closet and an in-unit washer and dryer. Speaking of closets – check out the bedroom. The walk-in closet will fit your entire shoe collection and then some! 

Walk into the living space, and two treats await. A dining area is a rarity in one-bedroom apartments and you’ll love having a table to sit and enjoy a meal at. And guess what? Your table doesn’t have to double as your desk, because there’s a designated work space built in too! That’s right – no more taking Zoom calls from your bedroom!

The Reed’s Two-Bedroom Apartments 

The Reed has two and three-bedroom apartments with larger footprints too. With loads of natural light and a balcony, this particular two-bedroom floor plan is a standout. The way the primary bedroom is tucked away from the living area is ideal. Built for two (but also pretty sweet for one!), it features two closets as well as a double sink in the master bath. 

The second bedroom is spacious enough to fit a desk and would make a perfect office if you don’t need another bedroom. Over in the open-concept living space, you have a kitchen island, room for a dining table, and indoor and outdoor living.

Southbank Park and Other Amenities at The Reed Apartments 

The Reed’s amenities are on par with the best luxury apartments in downtown Chicago. But, it has something the others don’t – 2-acre Southbank Park, right outside its doors. 

The park, complete with a riverwalk, amphitheater, and sunny lawn space, also has plans for a water taxi stop. Landscaped with native plants, Southbank Park is the definition of an urban oasis.

Resort-Style Amenity Spaces at The Reed

On-site, you’ll find pristine amenity spaces, including: 

• 15,000 square foot resort-style pool deck with:
  • Outdoor kitchens with grills 
  • Fire pits
  • Pool 
  • Dining and seating area
  • Berms for sunbathing
  • Outdoor yoga studio 

• Indoor shared spaces include:
  • Multiple lounges 
  • Indoor bar
  • Fitness club and outdoor fitness terrace
  • Strength studio with free weights
  • Motion studio, ideal for private class programming
  • Sports simulation room
  • Movie lounge 
  • Salon and massage rooms
  • Coworking space with communal seating and private workspaces
  • Bike storage with wash station
  • Indoor private garage parking with electric car charging stations

• Amenity services include:
  • 24-hour concierge
  • 24-hour maintenance guarantee 
  • Away from home services
  • Dry cleaning drop-off & pick-up area
  • Package receiving system with cold storage for grocery delivery

Amenities for Entertaining at The Reed Apartments 

The Reed’s outdoor amenities are all about entertaining. The 15,000-square-foot roof deck is spectacular! Take a dip in the resort-style pool or ease into a deck chair and watch boats cruise along the river. Riverfront living doesn’t get any better than this!

If you want to treat your friends to a day of fun, the pool deck has options from sunrise to sunset. Relax in a cabana, cook a meal in one of the outdoor kitchens, or gather around a gas fire pit. The sweeping park, river, and skyline views set the mood for a flawless downtown Chicago day.

Love a good game night? It’s about to get an upgrade! Step inside The Reed and check out the virtual sports simulator room. You’ll love enjoying this space, particularly during the winter months. 

If you’re in the mood to just chill, duck into the movie lounge (don’t forget the popcorn).  Another favorite gathering spot is the River Lounge bar. With impressive views, it’s the best spot in the neighborhood to enjoy a cocktail – and it’s all yours!

The Reed Apartments’ Coworking Amenities 

The most coveted amenity space these days has got to be a great coworking space, and the designers at The Reed absolutely nailed this feature. 

First, just look at this lobby – it’s maybe my favorite in all of Chicago. The distinctive design elements, soaring height, and natural light create a captivating space. Even though this isn’t The Reed’s designated workspace, it’s the perfect spot to get some work done, host a casual meeting, and get your creative juices flowing.

There are several other lounges and cozy nooks throughout the building that make working from home a dream. The dedicated coworking room, called “The Study”, has private offices and communal space with lots of seating options.

Living Near Printer’s Row in The South Loop 

Sandwiched between three incredible Chicago neighborhoods, The Reed is square in the middle of it all — awesome restaurants, retail, and the downtown business district. And, it’s just steps away from the charm of historic Printer’s Row.

A Dog-Friendly Neighborhood With Green Space

South Loop is a great neighborhood to live in if you have a dog in tow. And yes, The Reed is a dog-friendly apartment! You and your pup will love having Southbank Park right outside your door. You’re sure to make new friends (human and furry alike) as you explore the riverside.

If you’re up for an adventure, walk to one of the neighborhood’s best parks. Dearborn Park is just a few minutes walk from The Reed and offers up plenty of open space to run and play. Or, stroll 15 minutes east to the city’s most famous park – Grant Park. Roam acre upon acre of sprawling lakeside greenspace and activities. There’s even a Bark Park, artfully located next to the tennis courts, which can only mean one thing – stray tennis balls that make great chew toys! 
Live at The Reed, and you can also head down to the nearby Lakefront Trail. Walk, run, or bike the 18-mile path and enjoy everything from sandy beaches to sprawling parks, all as you take in some of the best views of the city’s skyline.

Restaurants to Enjoy Near The Reed Apartments 

The South Loop and Printer’s Row are flush with restaurants, and when you rent an apartment at The Reed, you have lots of favorites nearby:

• Half Sour: Brunch to dinner, a casual spot with great cocktails 
• Sociale Chicago: American bites in a fun atmosphere 
• Paisans Pizzeria: Pizza, pasta, wings, and burgers 
• Umai: The 5-star reviews don’t lie! This Japanese sushi bar is the best
• Dollop Coffee: Spacious coffee shop with delicious eats too

How to Get Around Chicago When You Rent at The Reed  

When you live at The Reed, you may have a hard time stepping foot off of the beautiful Southbank campus. But, if you need to reach parts of Chicago outside of South Loop, public transit is nearby. 

If you’re a frequent flyer out of O’Hare, The Reed is a great apartment to rent at. Its proximity to the CTA Blue Line means you can go from your front door to your gate in under an hour. 

Or take the Blue Line west to the Illinois Medical District. From The Reed, it’s less than a 30-minute commute to the Rush University Medical Center, VA Hospital, The John H. Stroger, Jr., Hospital of Cook County, and The University of Illinois Hospital. 

The CTA Red Line is a 10-minute walk from The Reed too. Zip to the south side, or north to Lincoln Park and beyond in no time flat.

If you prefer to drive, The Reed’s location and amenities are made for you! When you live downtown, getting out of the city can be such a headache. But, The Reed is conveniently located two blocks from the entrance ramp to I-290 and I-90, making a quick escape so easy! Lakeshore Drive is just a few blocks east too. And don’t forget, The Reed has private parking on site, with charging stations available.

The Reed’s Closest Grocery Stores, Retail, and More 

Move into The Reed, and all these everyday conveniences are nearby: 

• Urban Pantry
• Trader Joe’s
• South Loop Market
• Jewel-Osco
• Petco
• HMart 
• Target
• Whole Foods
• CVS
• Walgreens
• Binny’s Beverage Depot – South Loop

Rent Your Next Apartment at The Reed!

Upscale living at its finest – that’s what The Reed’s all about. Throw in the incredible location and signing a lease at these new apartments in South Loop feels like it was meant to be! 
Want to know more about moving to The Reed? The team at HotSpot Apartment Rentals would love to help you in your journey to a new apartment.