Building a Community That’s a Real Natural

ELGIN, IL, July 31 - Turtles, deer, fox, and coyote roam though 304-acres of pine forest. Trails for hiking, bicycling, and cross-country skiing slope and wind nearby. Two-thirds of the homes back-up into lush wetlands. All those beautiful developments-and more-characterize the area around and within The Preserves at McDonald Woods, a community of 28 large and luxurious single-family homes being built by Grand Pointe Homes. The Elgin-based builder announced the grand opening with three words-"it's a natural"-that perfectly capture the quiet and scenic community.

"You'd have to look long and hard before you found a new-homes community that was as wonderfully green as this one," said Scott Ballard, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Grand Pointe. "Residents will be close to huge, wildlife-rich McDonald Woods and many will be able to see and actually touch the beautiful wetland on the property. Living here will be a welcome refuge from the hustle-bustle of everyday life while still being convenient to shopping and even a nearby commuter rail station."

But nature isn't the only selling point. The Preserves features open, three-and-four bedroom homes with formal living rooms, formal dining rooms, master baths, studies, two-story family rooms, gourmet kitchens, and loads of space-ranging in size from 2,727 to 3,552 square feet (with prices from the $440's). They're homes built with growing families in mind. And all the homes' classic space comes with the attention to detail and craftsmanship for which Grand Pointe-one of the Chicago area's largest builders-is well known.

While the community's six different models are all traditional family homes, they each feature unique touches that give them an appealing contemporary feel. Art niches-places for a prized photo or paining-provide a nice twist on the conventional. Another dramatic touch is one model's skybridge, which connects a two-story foyer and family room. Others include imposing columns separating a dining room and living room; a master suite with its own octagonal sitting room; an octagonal breakfast area connected to a gourmet kitchen; a turret-style dinette; private shower and toilet areas; studies and master suites with double-door entryways; arched openings; and much more.

Meanwhile, Grand Pointe offers buyers plenty of individual choice, encouraging them to add their own personality to the homes through upgrades such as bay windows, skylights, built-in entertainment centers, lofts, extra bedrooms, cathedral ceilings in master bedrooms, three-car garages, and-even-raised-platform Roman tubs in master baths. "Buyers have the flexibility to essentially put their family's personal stamp on their new home," said Ballard.

Distinctive style isn't confined to just the inside of The Preserves' homes. The exteriors can encompass covered entries, large front porches, shutters and coordinating trim, archways, coach lights, and decorative windows such as transoms, half-rounds, and palladians. Each floor plan comes in several exterior variations, producing many eye-catching elevations. Furthermore, Grand Pointe offers a variety of colors and materials (including brick, siding, and Dryvit) to help create diverse streetscapes and pleasing curb appeal.

"With so many special touches, the homes can seem almost custom-made. At the same time, they seem so intimately in touch with their natural surroundings. It's that dual nature that makes The Preserves a unique place to call home," said Ballard.

To see a model of The Preserves, take 294 to Grand Avenue, exit and head west to the sales center, which is located two blocks east of Route 83.

Submitted 7/31/2007