6-May-13 – It is taking less and less time to renovate a residential lobby at Marina City. The new east tower lobby opened on May 1 after a six-week construction project. It took ten weeks to renovate the west tower lobby, which reopened on March 15.

(Above) The outer lobby transitions around the cylindrical core to an elevator lobby at right. (Below) Elevator lobby as seen from the main concourse.

Renovating both the east and west tower lobbies will cost condo owners at Marina City $258,599. Marina Towers Condominium Association approved the projects on November 15, 2012.

In a December 18 memo to residents, former property manager David Gantt said the lobbies “will have a mid-century modern look.” The following week, about 250 unit owners tried unsuccessfully to stop work on the lobbies, complaining of the design and how the project was managed. Gantt resigned on March 4, 2013, amid accusations that previous renovation projects he oversaw went significantly over budget.

(Left) The east tower lobby on March 17 before work started.

The lobby work was done by Milan Construction, which renovated laundry, fitness, and meeting rooms on the 20th floor of each tower in 2009.

(Above) The west tower lobby, which was completed on March 15.

 Related story: More photos of renovated west tower lobby