CHICAGO, IL - According to a RPA (Regional Plan Association) report, Americans’ housing preferences are shifting, with the majority of millennials preferring to live in transit-oriented communities and many baby boomers seeking to downsize in walkable neighborhoods. While demand is high, the supply of new-construction, for-sale housing in walkable, transit-oriented suburban neighborhoods is limited.
In order to cater to these homebuyers, savvy Chicago-area homebuilders like Lexington Homes and Foxford Communities are building condos, townhomes and single-family homes in the heart of suburban downtowns within walking distance to transportation and thriving business districts. Here are three examples:
Lexington Pointe Townhomes, Des Plaines, Ill.
Due to their maintenance-free lifestyle, townhomes are a natural move-up choice for many buyers transitioning from a city apartment or condo to the suburbs. Lexington Pointe, a new community of 58 townhomes by Lexington Homes in the heart of downtown Des Plaines, offers homes with a sophisticated, urban design near transportation and a number of daily conveniences.
Located at 781 Lee St., Lexington Pointe puts residents within walking distance of the Des Plaines Public Library, U.S. Post Office, coffee shops, automotive repair shops, numerous churches, a yoga studio and fitness centers. For commuters, Lexington Pointe is only a two-block walk from the Des Plaines Metra station and a short drive from Interstates 294 and 90.
“While you hear a lot about rental options in suburban downtowns, it’s more unusual lately to find for-sale townhomes like those at Lexington Pointe in such a prime suburban downtown location,” said Jeff Benach, co-principal of Lexington Homes. “We’re offering the walkability today’s buyers are looking for along with our time-tested popular floor plans that are generously sized and include a host of luxury finishes like hardwood floors and granite countertops. The homes have the sought-after open main level design buyers are looking for along with flex spaces like finished lower levels and dens, all at a tremendous value from the $350,000s.”
Lexington Pointe offers two floor plans with two to three bedrooms, 2½ baths and attached two-car garages with base prices ranging from $352,490 to $359,990. The maintenance-free townhomes range from 1,751 to 1,913 square feet.
For more information about Lexington Pointe, call 847-818-0800 or visit www.lexingtonchicago.com.
Lexington Towne at Arlington Heights Single-Family Homes, Arlington Heights, Ill.
While demand for all housing types is increasing in downtown locations, new single-family homes in walking distance of a suburban core are especially rare. Lexington Homes is answering this call with Lexington Towne at Arlington Heights, a new community of 15 luxury single-family homes in downtown Arlington Heights -- which was voted “Best Downtown Atmosphere” and “Best Place To Live” in the northwest suburbs in a recent Daily Herald “Best of the Best Awards” survey.
Residents of Lexington Towne will not only have easy access to a wide variety of upscale restaurants, shops, boutiques, art galleries, theaters and Arlington Heights’ performing arts center, but they’ll also be just a short walk to the Metra station as well as recreation like parks and an indoor swimming center.
“To find new, luxury single-family homes in a well-established, in-town location like downtown Arlington Heights is very unusual,” said Benach. “These are high-end homes with customizable features on the exterior and interior so each home will have its own unique look – we even recently added a new first-floor master suite floor plan for even more variety. What’s best, buyers can walk or bike to quickly reach all the amazing events and activities happening year-round in downtown Arlington Heights, such as Frontier Days Festival, the farmer’s market, art festivals and concerts.”
Located at 909 W. Campbell St., Lexington Towne offers four floor plans, with pricing starting in the mid $700,000s. Homes range in size from 3,003 to 3,761 square feet and offer four to five bedrooms, 3½ baths and two-to-three car garages, per plan. Hallmarks of all home designs are open main floor layouts with spacious great rooms and large eat-in kitchens with ample countertop space and cabinets; laundry rooms and sizable mudrooms off the garage; and separate dining rooms and studies as optional spaces for work and entertaining.
For more information on Lexington Towne at Arlington Heights, visit www.lexingtonchicago.com or call (847) 232-7200.
Foxford Station Condominiums, Western Springs, Ill.
According to the Transit Oriented Development Institute, communities like Foxford Station, a new 28-unit luxury condominium building in the heart of Western Springs, showcase one of the country’s fastest-growing housing trends – pedestrian-oriented mixed-use communities centered around high-quality train systems that make it possible to live a lower-stress life without complete dependence on a car for mobility and survival.
Located at the corner of Wolf Road and Burlington Avenue, Foxford Station will be the first transit-oriented development (TOD) of its kind in Western Springs. The new four-story building will include 3,600 square feet of first-floor commercial space and condominium residences on floors two through four.
Breaking ground this summer with first move-ins expected late 2018, Foxford has seen interest from both millennials and baby boomers. “Millennials love the urban feel of living near shopping, dining and transportation, and boomers value those same lifestyle benefits,” said Peter Brennan, president of Foxford Communities. “Within easy walking distance to the Western Springs Metra Station, Foxford Station will offer residents a quick 25-minute train ride into the city instead of tackling traffic. And its proximity to Interstates 55 and 294 not only offers easy access to the city and neighboring suburbs, but also to Chicago’s Midway and O’Hare airports.
“Western Springs is one of those unique suburban communities with small-town charm and an active downtown with just about every amenity one would need within a few blocks,” he continued. “From mom-and-pop shops like the award-winning Kirschbaum’s Bakery, Casey’s Meat Market and The Fruit Store, to popular restaurants like Davanti Enoteca and the renowned Vie, there’s something for everyone.”
Location isn’t the only desirable feature of Foxford Station. With homes measuring approximately 1,770 to 3,060 square feet, flexible and open floor plans offer spacious living areas that lead to a large private outdoor balcony and/or terrace with ample room for a full-sized grill and patio furniture. Condominium units will offer a variety of floor plans, from two to three bedrooms to two to three baths, with select homes including a den. Current pre-construction pricing ranges from $599,000 to $1,099,000.
For more information about Foxford Station, visit www.foxfordstation.com or call (708) 482-2980.