Chicago Building Next Features a House Dog

Matthew Gilson for The Wall Street Journal.

The latest amenity in apartment living has a fur coat and a wet nose.

Daisy, an 8-year-old Newfoundland, is the “house dog” at Next, a 310-unit apartment building in Chicago’s River North neighborhood that opened in September. Rents range from $1,775 per month for a studio to $6,500 per month for a 1,600-square-foot penthouse.

Daisy belongs to Next developers Randy and Steve Fifield of Fifield Companies, who thought she would be perfect for apartment dwellers.

“People who would love a dog but can’t afford one or don’t have the time can have a comforting animal to give tickles and kisses to,” says Randy Fifield, chairwoman of Fifield Realty Corp.

Daisy has a dog bed in the lobby and a caretaker who feeds and walks her. At night, she retires to the Fifields’ daughter’s apartment, located in the building.

Julianne Sampson moved into Next in November with her two daughters, Vivian, 9, and Olivia, 11. Daisy was a selling point for both mom and daughters, said Ms. Sampson, who is an oncology nurse in pharmaceutical sales for Incyte Corp.

“My girls start off every day with Daisy on the way to school,” Ms. Sampson said. “After school, we purposely stop in the lobby to see Daisy. The doorman and building staff will give us treats to share with Daisy.”

A house dog is just one of the canine amenities at Next that encourage owners to meet and connect. The building has offered “doga” classes, where pet owners do yoga with their pups, and a “Howl-o-ween” party in October. The day before the building’s pool closed for the season, dogs were allowed to jump in for a swim.

Fun aside, Daisy is also put to work. When potential renters visit the building, Ms. Fifield said, “she’ll go up on apartment tours” if they’d like.

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