The Palos area has always been equated with open space. And Lake Katherine View Estates, a new townhome development in southwest suburban Palos Heights, is trying to cultivate that.
”We`re really playing up our surroundings and the 20-acre Lake Katherine has proved to be a big attraction with our buyers,” said John Barrett, president of Chicago Ridge-based Blackwater Construction, which built the development.
”People know that with the lake there, there will always be some open space right outside their doors, a place to get away,” added Barrett. ”For example, the 1 1/2-mile path that goes around the lake is great for people who like to walk out their door and do a little walking.”
The development is also near the green space that parallels the nearby Cal-Sag Channel and is a mile or so from forest preserves and country clubs, said Barrett.
Since opening a year ago, 16 of the 20 units at Lake Katherine View Estates have been sold.
Two floor plans are available at the subdivision, which features brick exteriors on landscaped lots.
The units still available start at $224,900 for the two-story model and $234,900 for the ranch. Monthly assessments are estimated at about $65.
”We`re aiming at that person who has lived in a single-family home all their life and now the kids are finally gone,” said Barrett. ”They`ve got some equity, they`ve got some freedom, and they`re looking for a little luxury.”
The Lakeview is a 2,200-square-foot home with a second floor that can be closed down when not in use, said Barrett.
”The master bedroom is on the first floor,” he said. ”So the two bedrooms upstairs can be used only when the kids or the grandkids are visiting.”
An entry foyer opens to a great room that contains a 17-by-13-foot living room and a 11-by-10-foot dining room. There is a winding staircase that features an open hallway. Height is also added via cathedral ceilings, skylights and elaborate Palladian windows.
Beyond the staircase is the 17-by-12-foot master bedroom, which features two walk-in closets and a master bath. The hallway also connects to a 7-by-11- foot kitchen eating area, which opens up to a 13-by-16-foot family room. The family room features a fireplace and French doors that provide access to a deck.
Off the kitchen eating area is a 9-by-9-foot kitchen, which also has access to a laundry room. Garage entry is through the laundry room. A half-bath serves the kitchen area.
Upstairs are a 17-by-13-foot bedroom and a 13-by-13-foot bedroom, which share a full bath.
The Lakeside is 2,020-square-foot, single-level unit, which, even though it has less square feet, costs more than the Lakeview because it takes up more land.
”This is a true ranch home in every sense of the word and is geared toward buyers who don`t like stairs,” said Barrett. The only stairs in the home are those leading to the basement, he said.
The floor plan begins with a foyer that opens to a 16-by-14-foot living room featuring cathedral ceilings and Palladian windows. The living room is connected to a 10-by-14 dining room.
Off of the dining room is a 12-by-18-foot family room, which has a fireplace and French doors that provide access to a deck. A 18-by-23-foot kitchen, which has a skylight, opens to the family room and provides access to a utility room. Garage entry is through the utility room. A half-bath is also off the kitchen.
A short hallway from the dining room leads to a 15-by-15-foot master bedroom featuring a master bath and two walk-in closets. An 11-by-10-foot bedroom is served by a separate full bath.
An 11-by-12-foot bedroom, which also can be used as a den, is at the front of the home.
Standard at Lake Katherine View Estates are attached two-car garages, carpeting and ceramic tile floors, oak doors and cabinetry, intercom systems and central vacuum systems.
”We added the extras so that in these units there`s very little you can upgrade,” said Barrett. ”About all you can upgrade are the tiling and cabinetry.”
Both homes also have large basements with almost as much square footage as their upper levels.
”We added the large basements from a resale point of view,” said Barrett. ”Plus, if the buyers have grandkids, the basements make great spaces for play areas. Because they have eight-foot ceilings, a few buyers are also finishing off the space for entertaining. Our buyers are also looking for lots of storage space.”
Just as important as the indoor space, said Barrett, is that outdoors.
”What particularly attracted us to this development was the lake and the large amount of green space around it,” said Marilyn Breen, who with her husband, Mike, moved into a ranch model in February.
”We really appreciate having the openness all around us,” added Breen, who lived in a single-family home in Palos Heights for 20 years. ”And the ability to just stroll out of your front door and down to the path around the lake is just wonderful.
”We can see the lake from our bedroom, and later this spring when everything is in bloom, the land is just going to be beautiful,” she added.
Lake Katherine View Estates is just off of the intersection of Illinois Highway 83 (College Drive) and 75th Avenue. The development is open for viewing from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
