West Point Gardens nears completion of Phase I

Taking a conservative approach to business pays dividends. That is what Pat Curran, president of Hinsdale-based West Point Builders, learned during the Great Recession.

"Don't overshoot your skis," Curran quipped. "That is why we survived even though we had opened West Point Gardens, a 180-acre community in Elgin, about a week before the official start of the recession in 2007."

Curran didn't overextend the family company and, as a result, West Point Builders is expecting to close about 30 homes at West Point Gardens this year and it may also build a custom house or two on scattered-site lots owned by individuals. Last year the company built such a home in Downers Grove, he said.

Four different product lines are included in West Point Gardens, which is built on the site of the former Meier farm. Once completed, it will include 470 homes, including single-family houses in two product lines, attached townhouses and detached townhouses. Phase I of the community is now 85 percent built-out. So West Point is hoping to embark upon Phase II soon.

Single-family homes at West Point Gardens range in price from $239,990 to $329,990, while the detached townhouses now available range in price from $174,990 to $202,990, Curran said. All feature full basements and two-car garages.

"Meier Park in the center of the community is the main amenity at West Point Gardens. In addition, there are several small 'pocket parks' spread around, as well as a pond and bike paths," he said.

His background

Curran started working for West Point Builders when he was a child, sweeping out new homes and cleaning crawl spaces. His late father, Thomas, founded the company in 1957, building homes in Tinley Park, Skokie, Naperville, Crestwood, Park Ridge, Chicago and other communities.

After graduating from Loyola University in Chicago with a degree in business and accounting, Curran went to work for Waste Management's Indiana subsidiary, Republic Waste, because his father did not believe in children going into the family business without working for someone else first.

He finally joined the family business in the mid-1990s. His uncle Desmond, brother Tom and sister Margaret also work for West Point Builders.

His philosophy

"We make sure with each home we build, we pay attention to the details and deliver a home to our customers that is the same quality we would deliver to our own family. We also make every effort to treat people fairly," Curran said.

"I believe in the personal touch. We purposely keep a small footprint so we can maintain the quality construction levels that my father believed in and that I believe in.

"Quite honestly, the fact that we have this attitude is what has allowed us to only build two or three models instead of a whole row of each product. Because we have delivered a great product and treated people well, we have been able to rely on our homeowners to allow us to show prospective buyers through their homes instead of building additional models."

What is your favorite part of the business?

"I like creating happy homeowners and providing space for their families to grow and enjoy. We are on-site at West Point Gardens all the time, so our buyers have gotten to know us and they know that they can always find us if they have a question. Besides, we enjoy talking to them."

What have been the biggest changes in the homebuilding industry?

"The new energy code requirements have had a huge impact. The way homes are built today has made them so energy efficient that it really keeps utility bills low for homeowners. Our HERS ratings today are in the mid to upper 40s and 20 years ago no one's ratings even approached that."

The U.S. Department of Energy has determined that a typical resale home scores 130 on the Home Energy Rating System, or HERS index, while a standard new home is awarded a rating of 100.

"Another big change I have seen involves 'smart' technology. Many homes' alarm systems are connected to apps on people's phones and they are so sophisticated that homeowners can even tell on their phone which of their children has gotten home, based on the code used to turn off the alarm. It is amazing."

What can you say about the company's future plans?

"West Point Builders will continue to deliver homes in the Chicago area that homeowners are happy with and that we are proud to say we built."

For more information about West Point Builders, call (847) 608-1000 or visit www.westpointgardens.com.