The Preserve at Carol Stream combines the pastoral setting of mature trees set back from major roads with the convenience of nearby expressways.
This 285-unit complex in Carol Stream, built in the 1970s, has five, three-story buildings of red brick and forest-green shutters.
The elevator buildings are arrayed in a half-circle around a large open space of mature evergreens and a pond with a wooden bridge.
A new clubhouse with amenities from an outdoor swimming pool, an indoor racquet ball court, a great room with kitchen to a business conference center and 24-hour fitness room adds to the community’s appeal.
The clubhouse is a short walk from the two-bedroom, two-bath model we toured.
The unit’s spacious common area includes the kitchen, dining room and living room.
A hallway that heads left from the front door leads to the kitchen. It is separated from the living room by an island with a faux wood counter and an almond-hued base.
The cabinets are almond-colored with wood trim. The appliances, including a stove, dishwasher and refrigerator, are white. The kitchen is large enough for a small table and chairs.
The 8-by-9 foot dining room is through an open doorway from the kitchen. It has a white ceiling fan marking a space for a table and four chairs. It also has a large window that offers a view of the trees.
The dining room and kitchen abut the 13-by-19-foot living room, which has a sliding glass door at one end. The door opens to a wooden balcony with a black wrought iron railing overlooking the trees and lawn. A room air conditioner is set into the wall.
The bedrooms are down the hallway from the living room.
The 12-by-15-foot master bedroom has beige carpet and a double window with a view of the pond and bridge. It also has a room air conditioner on one wall and a spacious walk-in closet with two sets of shelves and rods.
The closet leads into the master bath, which has a diamond-pattern, beige vinyl tile floor, a vanity and counter in white, a large mirror, a white toilet and a tub/shower.
Next is the smaller bedroom. It is 10-by-13 feet and has a double closet and a double window.
The other full bath is just a few feet from the front door. It, too, has a diamond-pattern, beige vinyl tile floor, a white vanity and counter, a large mirror, a white tub/shower and a linen closet.
The hallway also has a coat closet. All the buildings have laundry rooms on the first floors.
The complex is just a few minutes from the Veterans Memorial Tollway and Stratford Square mall in Bloomingdale. A Metra station in Wheaton is about a 10-minute drive.
Rents for two-bedroom units are $1,055 to $1,090.
For rental information, call 630-653-6200.
Vital stats
Address: 535 Thornhill Drive, Carol Stream
Rent : $1,090 — with one month free on a one-year lease.
Security deposit: $350
Utilities: Resident pays water and sewer and electricity. Gas heat is included.
Parking: Outdoors, unreserved; carports $25 a month.
Pets: $300 security deposit with half refundable plus $25 a month. Limit two pets per apartment. ———-
amannion@tribune.com
