River Glen sprouts up on farmland in Libertyville

The beautiful two-mile stretch of property just south of Route 120 along River Road in Libertyville is getting a new community of 65 custom, single-family homes called River Glen.

These houses will be built on one of the last remaining parcels in that sought-after area, said Mark Loeb, owner of Interlacken Construction and partner in the River Glen Capital Group, whose River Glen Custom Inspired Homes is building the development.

“The homes we are building at River Glen are primarily aimed at people who want to downsize from the 4,000- to 5,000-square-foot homes they live in now without losing the quality they are accustomed to,” Loeb said. “The homes will feature the same amenities you find in million dollar custom homes, just on a smaller scale.”

Homes at River Glen will average 2,500 square feet and will feature first-floor master suites, but will be entirely custom inside. Many will feature English or walkout basements, which clients can choose to have finished. In fact, Loeb said, the model home, which should be open sometime around Christmas, will feature a wine cellar, half bath and recreation room.

All of the River Glen homes are expected to feature two-car garages, 9-foot ceilings, wood-burning fireplaces, Pella windows, Jenn-Air appliances and hardwood floors throughout most of the first floor, but the floor plans will be entirely up to each individual buyer.

The exteriors, however, are more constrained. Loeb said they will be made of energy-efficient and relatively maintenance-free stone and hardy board with vinyl Pella windows. The homes will be clustered in order to offer as much open space as possible. They will be built on eight cul-de-sacs with large green areas in between so all homes will back up to green areas, not each other. Therefore, how each home fits on its lot has been predetermined.

Lawn care and snow removal will be provided by the homeowners association.

Homes at River Glen will begin in the mid to upper $500,000s, said Loeb, who is a Libertyville native. The first occupancies are expected in the spring of 2016. Four homes are already under contract.

“I have been building homes along this River Road corridor in Libertyville since the 1980s. In fact, I have built more homes in this area than anyone else and I have to say this is a great parcel. It was formerly a farm and it is the nicest piece I have worked on,” he said. “It has great access to the tollway, downtown Libertyville and the Des Plaines River Trail.

“We have noticed a void in the Libertyville market because there really haven't been any nice communities aimed at the empty-nesters and families who want smaller homes with less maintenance but with just as many amenities. That is what we are building at River Glen,” he said.

For more information, call (847) 457-4005 or visit www.riverglenhomes.com.