Optima Lakeview is starting to shine, as the crew from developer, designer, and GC Optima has begun installing the first level of curtain wall, on what I would estimate to be the second floor. But that’s just a guess from street level.

The seven-story, 198-unit T.O.D. will be ready for move-ins next year.

Metra and CTA rides, Zipcars, Divvy Bikes, camera lenses, and comfortable walking shoes add up. You can help offset expenses by making a greatly-appreciated donation to Building Up Chicago.

Optima Lakeview is topped out and moving toward a 2022 opening.

My first visit to Optima Lakeview last week was just in time.

The tower crane is coming down from the topped-out T.O.D. from Glencoe’s Optima. Consisting of 198 apartments and 14,000 square feet of ground-level retail space, with parking for 94 cars and 208 bikes, the seven-story development is expected to open next year.

Optima Lakeview is another role model for do-it-yourself’ers. Optima is handling development, design, and general contractor duties.

Here now, you have your basic construction photos, and then a few shots of tower crane dismantling from March 16.