Upscale Hampton in the Park in neighborhood spotlight

A small enclave of upscale homes in Roselle, Hampton in the Park, began when the developer sold 89 lots to several builders for the construction of custom homes.

One of the builders was Palatine-Schaumburg High School District 211, which purchased about 25 lots to teach carpentry and other home construction skills to students in its building trades classes under the guidance of master craftsmen.

Kathleen and John Bennett purchased the first completed school district home and moved there in July 1996.

“Many questioned our decision to buy a home built by high school students, but after watching the final construction on our home, and those built thereafter, we never thought twice about buying our home,” John Bennett said.

“The schools did a great job of building our home and the other school homes. We have no cracks in the foundation, warped window openings or doors that don’t open or close correctly. We really like our ‘school house.’ ”

Hampton in the Park features mostly two-story homes ranging in size from 3,000 to more than 4,000 square feet, with three to five bedrooms, and two- or three-car garages, said Nancy Eisele, a real estate broker with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage. She is currently marketing a home in the subdivision at 1150 Bluebird Lane.

Eisele said the brick masonry construction of the houses, along with mature trees, well-tended yards and good-sized lots, gives the neighborhood at attractive curb appeal.

The Bennetts like everything about their home. They especially enjoy backing to open land with beautiful views, Bennett said. Their finished basement is also a nice amenity with a large family area with built-in entertainment system, large high-definition TV, wet bar with cabinets and built-in dishwasher. A large shop and storage area adds a nice workspace.

Hampton in the Park was to be a semiprivate neighborhood with access for residents and invited guests only. Thus, the “guard” house and beautiful brick walled entry on Flamingo Road comes into view as one enters the community.

“With only one entrance to the subdivision, it maintains a quiet and slower pace for residents, which is one of the benefits of living here,” Bennett said. “The traffic on our streets is really minimal and it is safe to walk the development anytime.”

Through a monthly fee, a homeowners association maintains the common areas, which includes the entry brickwork, gate house, all grass areas not privately owned, a pond and wetland areas within the development, as well as a fence that encloses the development on three sides.

Location is also a big draw. The subdivision sits less than a mile from the Metra station and parking lot, which makes it a desirable spot for downtown commuters.

For airplane buffs, the Schaumburg Regional Airport sits north of the subdivision, and with only light aircraft, it provides entertainment without the noise of large business jets. “Many people like this because pilots and other airline people are crazy about watching planes take off and land,” Eisele said.

For more recreation, the Schaumburg Boomers professional minor league baseball team offers fun for the whole family.

Also, the park district offers several events and festivals throughout the year, including Taste of Roselle, Friday Cruise Nights, Concerts in the Park and more. Even four-legged friends can socialize and exercise at a local dog park.

An abundance of shopping venues is another plus for the Roselle community. The Main Street Shopping District offers shops, restaurants, banks and other amenities. Also, Stratford Square Mall and a large Meijer superstore are nearby on Gary Avenue in Bloomingdale, and Schaumburg’s Woodfield Mall offer other options.

A popular local attraction is Roselle’s Lynfred Winery with its tasting room and bed-and-breakfast suites.

Listing sheet

Price range: $452,000 to $565,000

Age of homes: 13 to 21 years

Schools: Waterbury Elementary and Spring Wood Middle schools in Keeneyville Elementary District 20 and Lake Park High School in Lake Park High School District 108

Parks: Roselle Park District