What Optima does

Optima is a privately held, family-owned real estate development firm founded in 1978 by David Hovey Sr. and Eileen Hovey. The company operates a vertically integrated model spanning ownership, architecture, development, general contracting, sales/brokerage, and ongoing property management, allowing it to retain design control from concept through occupancy. Optima targets affluent individual renters and buyers across two U.S. metropolitan areas — the Chicago metro (Glencoe, Wilmette, and Chicago neighborhoods including Streeterville and Lakeview) and the Phoenix/Scottsdale metro — and is recognized for a design-driven, Modernist architectural tradition codified in its "Forever Modern" trademark.

Its portfolio comprises seven named operating communities and at least one in-development project: Optima Signature (Streeterville, Chicago), Optima Lakeview (Chicago), Optima Verdana (Wilmette), Optima Lumina (Wilmette — up to 128 luxury condominiums and 5,576 GSF of commercial space, currently in zoning/interest-list phase), Optima Kierland Apartments (Scottsdale), Optima Sonoran Village (Scottsdale), and Optima McDowell Mountain (North Scottsdale — a mixed for-sale and for-lease community featuring America's largest private rainwater harvesting system and WiredScore connectivity). The firm sells commercial sub-tenant space to operators including Guidepost Montessori, Reform Studios, Kaleidoscope Juice, SKIN Laser & MedSpa, and GoodVets.

Optima's underlying technology platform is the patented DCHGlobal Building System, a modular architectural kit-of-parts based on a 7'-0" x 7"-0" horizontal module and 21'-0" x 21'-0" structural bay, assembled from 99%-recycled Cor-ten and Duracorr steel and pre-engineered for up to two stories and LEED Platinum Level. Revenue mechanics are split between recurring monthly luxury apartment and commercial rents, and one-time for-sale transactions on condominium and single-family units; pricing is opaque and quote-based, accessed via property-specific microsites and in-person leasing/sales consultations. Distribution combines a digital self-serve leasing layer with high-touch sales galleries and direct leasing consultants, and go-to-market is primarily direct-to-consumer across both Illinois and Arizona.

Name

Optima

Legal name

Optima, Inc.

Website

https://optima.inc

Company type

Private

Founded year

1978

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Optima is a family-owned, vertically integrated real estate development firm that designs, builds, and manages luxury Modernist residential and mixed-use communities in the Chicago and Phoenix/Scottsdale metropolitan areas, using its patented DCHGlobal modular building system.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Luxury Residential Real Estate Development

NAICS

Lessors of Residential Buildings and Dwellings (53111), Residential Property Managers (531311), Real Estate Property Managers (53131)

SIC

Lessors Of Real Property, Nec (6519), Land Subdividers & Developers (No Cemeteries) (6552)

akta.pro primary industry

Multifamily Apartment Property Management (BPAJAFAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Mixed-Use Property Management (BPAJAGAE)

Keywords

• Luxury residential development
• Multifamily housing
• Condominium sales
• Apartment rentals
• Sustainable architecture

Headquarters

HQ city

Glencoe

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Luxury Apartment Rentals: Optima owns and operates luxury multifamily residential communities, generating recurring monthly rental revenue from apartment leases. Residents pay monthly rent for luxury units across properties in Illinois (Chicago, Wilmette/Glencoe) and Arizona (Scottsdale).
2. Condominium and Single-Family Home Sales: Optima sells luxury condominium residences and single-family homes (e.g., Optima Lumina with up to 128 residences, Optima McDowell Mountain) at for-sale prices, generating one-time transaction revenue. Optima serves as developer, architect, general contractor, and sales broker for these units.
3. Commercial Space Leasing: Optima develops and leases commercial/retail space within mixed-use buildings (e.g., Optima Lumina includes 5,576 GSF of destination commercial and retail space), providing additional recurring rental income from commercial tenants.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Optima is a vertically integrated real estate development firm that plans, designs, constructs, and manages luxury residential communities. The company owns, develops, and operates multifamily rental communities and sells luxury condominiums and single-family residences across Illinois (Chicago metro) and Arizona (Scottsdale metro), with additional commercial space leasing within mixed-use buildings.

Product overview

Optima is a design-driven real estate development firm offering a portfolio of luxury residential communities across Illinois and Arizona. The company operates as owner, architect, developer, and general contractor, providing integrated control over development, design, construction, sales, and management. Core products include Optima Signature, Optima Lakeview, Optima Verdana, Optima Lumina, Optima Kierland Apartments, Optima McDowell Mountain, and Optima Sonoran Village—all featuring Modernist architectural design with signature vertical landscaping systems. The company also offers Optima DCHGlobal, a patented prefabricated building system using sustainable Cor-ten steel technology designed up to LEED Platinum Level, enabling net-zero construction in any climate or terrain.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Optima Signature Luxury residential rental community located in Chicago's Streeterville neighborhood, featuring a sleek Modernist skyscraper design with signature vertical landscaping and rooftop amenities.
• Optima Lakeview Luxury residential rental community in Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood offering holistic quality of life with rooftop amenities including a sky deck; the first Chicago multifamily development to earn WiredScore certification.
• Optima Verdana Luxury apartment community on Chicago's North Shore in Wilmette, IL, expressing luxury living with inspired design and natural beauty.
• Optima Lumina Development proposal comprising up to 128 luxury one, two, and three-bedroom condominium residences with 5,576 GSF of destination commercial and retail space, featuring sustainable architecture.
• Optima Kierland Apartments Luxury apartment community in Scottsdale, AZ, near Kierland Commons and Scottsdale Quarter, offering desert oasis living with world-class amenities.
• Optima McDowell Mountain Environmentally friendly residential neighborhood in North Scottsdale featuring America's largest private rainwater harvesting system, offering both apartments for leasing and residences for sale.
• Optima Sonoran Village Luxury residential community in Arizona featuring desert integration design, sculpture garden, and lush landscaping with colors drawn from surrounding terrain.
• Optima DCHGlobal Building System Patented architectural building system that is flexible in both horizontal and vertical directions, sustainable up to net-zero level, multi-generational, built using Cor-ten and Duracorr steel components from 99% recycled metals; pre-engineered for up to two stories and designed up to LEED Platinum Level.
• Commercial Space Leasing Commercial tenant spaces within Optima mixed-use buildings, hosting businesses including Guidepost Montessori, Reform Studios, Kaleidoscope Juice, SKIN Laser & MedSpa, and GoodVets.

Quantifiable outcome

• Optima Lakeview achieved WiredScore certification, bringing WiredScore certification to Chicago multifamily developments.
• +2 more outcomes

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• Wyndham Hotels & ResortsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOptima is listed as one of several operating partners of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts in Mexico. Wyndham's expansion in Mexico was driven by strategic partnerships with operating partners including Alzen, Bel Air, Optima, Grupo Hola, FibraHotel, and Fibra Inn, as well as the introduction of the Wyndham Alltra all-inclusive brand in 2021. The nature of the partnership involves Optima operating Wyndham-branded hotels within Mexico's hospitality sector.
• KnollminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOptima partnered with Knoll, a renowned modernist furniture manufacturer, to design and furnish its office and common spaces. The partnership is featured in the blog article 'Modern Design at Optima with Knoll,' highlighting a shared commitment to modernist design principles and curated furniture selection for Optima communities.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Crescent Heights: National luxury high-rise residential developer and owner-operator with a vertically integrated approach across multiple US gateway cities, directly comparable to Optima's luxury rental and condo model and design-led positioning.
• The Hanover Company: Vertically integrated developer, builder, and operator of premium multifamily communities across the US, comparable to Optima in combining development, construction, and management under one platform.
• Bozzuto Group: Design-forward residential real estate firm that develops, builds, and manages multifamily and mixed-use communities nationally, mirroring Optima's design sensitivity and integrated operating model.
• Kettler: Owner, developer, and third-party manager of luxury multifamily communities with a focus on design quality and urban-infill locations, directly comparable to Optima's vertically integrated residential strategy.
• The Dolben Company: Family-influenced, vertically integrated multifamily owner, developer, and manager focused on luxury urban and suburban apartment communities—analogous to Optima's integrated model and premium positioning.
• Toll Brothers: National luxury homebuilder that also develops luxury multifamily and condominium product, overlapping with Optima on the for-sale luxury residential side of the business.
• Lincoln Property Company: National residential developer and third-party manager with luxury multifamily product across multiple metros, comparable to Optima in combining development with professional property management at scale.

Broad incumbents

• Related Companies: Large, established national developer of luxury mixed-use, residential, and commercial real estate, comparable in product category but broader in geographic scope and capital base than Optima.
• Tishman Speyer: Global developer, owner, and operator of iconic mixed-use and residential properties, overlapping with Optima on luxury urban residential and mixed-use product.
• Hines: Globally diversified real estate developer with significant luxury multifamily and mixed-use activity, comparable to Optima at the category level but operating at a much larger scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/optimainc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/optima-inc.-glencoe
• Instagraminstagram.com/optimainc
• Xx.com/optimainc

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Optima