Neighborhood profile: The Triangle
Charming older homes, a great in-town location and excellent schools draw homebuyers to the Triangle neighborhood in the heart of Mount Prospect.
The Triangle, framed by Central Road, Northwest Highway and Mount Prospect Road, features houses with a lot of character and charisma, said Roseann Schumacher, real estate broker with Century 21 Langos & Christian. "People love the downtown feeling where they can walk to the library, restaurants and the train."
With many homes built in the 1940s, the Triangle is home to a variety of styles including Georgians, ranches, Cape Cods, bungalows, two-stories and older farm homes, along with even older historical homes and some newer houses that have gone up in recent years to replace teardowns.
Seeking good farmland in the mid-1800s, German immigrants Friedrich and Johanna Busse moved to Mount Prospect, where they played an important role in establishing the community. Some streets in the Triangle are named after their grandsons - Louis, Edward, Owen, Albert and George.
Anne Winski, a lifelong resident of Mount Prospect, and her family live in the Triangle in a 1½-story house with a 2½-car garage that was built in 1954.
"I love the quaintness of the area with so many different styles of homes and being able to walk to the shops and restaurants, the farmers market and all the events the village puts on," Winski said.
"We're the third owner of this house, and we've enjoyed putting our own touches in it. We have some unique archways, older hardwood floors, full basement and nice yard. It's a great place for entertaining inside or outside.
"I love the outdoor area and visiting with our neighbors in front of our homes. Everyone is friendly and willing to pitch in and help each other."
The mature, established area feature a lot of nice trees with small to medium-sized homes that typically range from 1,400 to 1,800 square feet with a one- or two-car garage, including many detached garages.
There is a beautiful Queen Anne home on William Street that is owned by a family who has been there almost 70 years, Schumacher said. Many original owners live in the neighborhood, and as homes turn over, younger families are moving in. The area is still affordable for families and includes some good starter homes.
"It's a nice spot for children," Schumacher said. "Owen Park right in the neighborhood has a playground, baseball diamond and basketball court.
"Homes sell very quickly and don't linger on the market. There's a lot of good revitalization going on in the area, and home prices are escalating."
Residents of the subdivision have easy access to shopping at Randhurst Village and Mount Prospect Plaza at Rand and Central roads. The town has a downtown train station and another nearby at Cumberland in Des Plaines, as well as PACE bus stops.
The village's annual events include the Artfest and Bluesfest, Fourth of July fireworks, the Christmas Housewalk, Midsummer Downtown Block Party, Fall Festival/Oktoberfest and several parades. Weekly summer events include a classic car show and farmers market.
For recreation, the Mount Prospect Park District offers a variety of classes, activities and facilities, including the Lions Recreation Center with the adjoining Big Surf Wave Pool, the Mount Prospect Golf Club; the RecPlex with swimming pool, gym, fitness center and more; and the Friendship Park Conservatory with 30 acres of lush landscaping, classes and special events.
Listing sheet
<span class="fact box text bold">Price range:</span> $285,000 to $400,000
<span class="fact box text bold">Age of homes:</span> 70 years old and newer
<span class="fact box text bold">Schools:</span> Fairview Elementary and Lincoln Middle schools in Mount Prospect Elementary District 57 and Prospect High School in Northwest Suburban High School District 214
<span class="fact box text bold">Parks:</span> Mount Prospect Park District