With precious little open land available anywhere nearby, the Delaine Farm development in Morton Grove is attracting all types of buyers–empty-nesters, newlyweds, families, singles–anyone who wants new construction in this close-in suburban setting, says sales manager Victoria O’Dea.
On the site of a former horse farm on Beckwith Road, and adjacent to the Linne Woods Forest Preserve, the Delaine Farm development by Elliott Homebuilders will contain 51 customized detached single-family homes and 31 duplex townhomes when complete. Seven single-family home designs offer 2,310 to 3,558 square feet of space, and prices begin from $389,900 to $487,900. Four town home designs will contain from 1,791 to 2,553 square feet of living area and are based priced from $275,900 to $329,900.
The Cambridge, a 3,085 square-foot single-family home, is the open, furnished model at the development. At that size, one envisions a family in the Cambridge, but the floor plan would also appeal to empty-nesters or other small households looking for space to spread out and for entertaining.
Stepping into the spacious, two-story entry, one turns to the right to step down into a rectangular living area. The architectural volume ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows increase the spaciousness of the living room (13 feet by 21 feet) and also add interesting detail. An arch divides the living room from the dining area, which at 13 by 14 feet offers enough leeway to accommodate a sizable table. A long, narrow rectangular window on one wall of the dining area is a pleasing contrast to the floor-to-ceiling window on the other wall.
Another arched doorway leads from the dining area to the kitchen (14 by 13). The kitchen has a long curved counter with a breakfast bar that will accommodate about a half a dozen diners seated on benches. The adjacent breakfast nook (10 by 9) provides a nice bay window view and will accommodate more seating. A large kitchen panty and other cabinetry offer ample storage capacity.
The family room (16 by 17) is just off the kitchen. With a fireplace and with the nine-foot ceilings offered on the first floor, the Cambridge model gives buyers the requisite spaciousness for the heart of the home.
Another arched doorway leads to the den (12 by 10). The same hallway continues to lead toward a small laundry room and the powder room. The laundry room is small by the standards of some luxury homes, but it does contain a window. The powder room is also accessible from the entrance hall, which makes a gentle sweep to the left. Indeed, many of the lines in the Cambridge model curve–arched doorways, radius-style windows, the kitchen counter.
In fact, notes O’Dea, the basement staircase in the model is curved, but it will not be offered in any other plans to be built, because the curve prohibits furniture and other items from being moved into the basement.
The curved staircase leading to the second floor, however, is a feature Cambridge buyers can expect. The landing at the top of the stairs is big enough to accommodate a piece of furniture.
The entrance leads to a loft (12 by 16), which is situated near the two secondary bedrooms, a nice layout for families who want to use the loft as a play area or a secondary family room. At 12 by 12 and 11 by 12, the secondary bedrooms are fairly large, as is the bathroom off the bedrooms, which contains a double sink.
At the other end of the second floor, the master bedroom measures 13 by 22. His and her walk-in closets, a large bath with a Jacuzzi soaker tub and a separate shower round out the luxury offerings that semi-custom and custom buyers now expect in a master suite.
The Cambridge model is based priced at either $474,900 or $479,900, depending on the exterior selected. The more expensive pricetag gives buyers the maintenance-free Dryvit exterior, said O’Dea, which looks like a smooth stucco and doesn’t need to be painted. The other exterior is brick and cedar.
Buyers looking for no-maintenance exteriors can also contract with the development for lawn and landcaping services provided to all town home owners through the homeowner’s association, says O’Dea.
To visit the community, take the Edens Expressway (Interstate Highway 94) to Dempster Street. Go west on Dempster to Waukegan Road and proceed north about six blocks to Beckwith Road. On Beckwith, go east about four blocks to the sales center.
From the Tri-State Tollway (Interstate Highway 294), exit at either Dempster Street or Golf Road and proceed east to Waukegan Road. Turn south from Golf about four blocks to Beckwith or north from Dempster to Beckwith. Turn east and proceed to the sales center.
Delaine Farms is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and from noon until 5 p.m. Sunday. Call 847-470-8000 for additional information.
