Address: Shannon Court, 5011-5021 Valley Lane, Streamwood.
Size: Two bedrooms, two baths; 1,100 square feet.
Rent: $769 a month.
Security deposit: One month’s rent.
Utilities: Heat included; resident pays electricity.
The building: 25 years old; 49 units.
At age 25, this red-brick building in Streamwood could hardly be considered a dowager, particularly after undergoing a renovation that has improved its appearance and added an important safety feature–sprinklers.
Sprinklers are in step with the times as are several of the decorative features now included in these units, which number 49.
The new decor revolves around a neutral palette of either beige or gray, rather than the greens and yellows popular in the 1970s when this building was built. Other features that bring this building up-to-date are added windows to let in more natural light and new cabinets, counters, appliances and carpeting.
The apartment we visited is ample sized and has two full baths, making it a good choice for a pair of roommates. As you enter this apartment, you are standing in a small foyer whose floor is white tile, making it easy to wipe clean. Any muddy shoes could be tucked out of sight immediately in the coat closet located here.
The white tile extends into the kitchen, which is just beyond an open doorway. The results of the renovation are most evident in this 8-by-8-foot space. The appliances, including a beige-colored dishwasher, look so new that you might even think of christening them with a champagne toast.
The champagne glasses could be kept in the Euro-style cabinets that wrap around the room. They are made of light wood and complement the kitchen counter, which also is beige.
If you wanted to enjoy the bubbly while seated, the 9-by-9 dining room is just next door and is brightened by a passthrough window that was cut into the wall during the renovation. The wall separates the dining room from the living room, but the window lets natural light flow into this bright and airy eating area.
To increase that airiness, one might turn on the ceiling fan that is at the dining room’s center. Of course, even stronger cooling measures could be taken on really steamy days by flicking on the air conditioner. This appliance is located in the living room, which measures 13 by 18 feet. Like the dining room, it is carpeted in beige, has off-white walls and, without furniture, looks like an empty canvas waiting to be finished.
A large futon with a patterned cushion and a matching love seat would make this room seem comfortable. A book shelf with some well-loved bestsellers or an occasional table topped with framed photos of loved ones also would add a touch of homeyness.
These photos would be easy to study during the day, when sunlight floods into the room through a large, double window. The view outside is of a large grassy space, weeping willow trees and a pond in the distance. There is also an air conditioner in this room, although it is not in the window and, therefore, does not obscure the pleasant view.
The same view of the grassy area behind the building may be seen from the master bedroom, which is at the end of a hall leading from the living room. This room, which also has a double window and an air conditioner, measures 12 by 14 feet. It is large enough to hold a queen- or maybe even a king-size bed.
The bedroom is adjoined by a full-size bathroom. In between the bedroom and bathroom is a vanity area, which is flanked by two closets and offers a discreet spot for a laundry hamper containing last week’s rumpled clothes. And when you get the time to do the wash, you can use the laundry room, one of which is on each floor of this building.
The bathroom adjoining the vanity area has a white tile floor and a light-colored wood vanity with medicine chest mirror above. The bathtub/shower and the toilet are white.
This color scheme is repeated in the apartment’s other bathroom, which is just outside the doorway to the master bedroom and close to the apartment’s second bedroom. Measuring 10 by 12 feet, the second bedroom is only a bit smaller than the master, has a double window, a double closet, but no air conditioner.
At $769 a month, this two-bedroom apartment is the most expensive in the building. The others range from $579 for a studio, to $679 for a one-bedroom. A two-bedroom with only one bathroom is $739.
Shannon Courts is located near major expressways such as Int. Hwys. 90 and 355. It also offers a clubhouse and outdoor pool.
For rental information, call 708-837-1992.
