When Chicago’s Ranquist Development last teamed up with the architects at Seattle’s Miller|Hull Partnership, the result—156 West Superior in River North—won plaudits from the American Institute of Architects, Architectural Record, and Builder magazine. "That building kept on giving," says Karen Ranquist, who runs the development company with her husband, Bob.

Now Ranquist is partnering with Miller|Hull on another Chicago condo building, this one at 1615 North Wolcott Street. Its steel-beam exterior—there’s even a steel-beam "sky canopy"—encloses clean-lined interiors that feature steel handrails, white oak floors, and what the developer calls "e-nooks"—an alcove for a mini office. At the penthouse level, broad glass walls blur the distinction between indoor space and out.

Developers have already sold two condos in the building, which is scheduled to be ready for occupancy in February 2009. Of the five remaining units, the smallest is a three-bedroom, 1,565-square-foot condo with a 140-square-foot deck that is priced at $699,800. The largest is a 2,300-square-foot three-bedroom condo with another 1,228 square feet of outdoor deck space. Its asking price is $1,395,800. 

Illustration: Courtesy of Miller Hull Partnership LLP