Consider buyer incentives at Mainstreet Station

Sales have begun at Mainstreet Station, a luxury 71-unit condominium development under construction at the corner of Main Street and Chicago Avenue in Evanston.

Mainstreet Station features a park-like green roof with more than 6,000 square feet of landscaped space and an outdoor seating area. The development also will contain a private fitness room, community meeting room, storage areas and two high-speed elevators.

The first 15 buyers are receiving special bonus incentives for purchasing a residence in the nine-story building.

Here is a breakdown on the early-buyer incentives:

•Buyers one through five will receive $5,000 toward upgrades, plus condominium assessments paid for one year.

•Buyers six through 10 will receive $2,500 toward upgrades, plus assessments paid for one year.

•Buyers 11 through 15 will receive $2,500 toward upgrades, plus assessments paid for six months.

Assessments at Mainstreet Station include gas for heating and cooking. Assessments range from $169 to $321 per month depending on the unit purchased.

In addition, one of the first 15 buyers will receive a free second parking space -- valued at $25,000 -- via a drawing.

The development offers 13 floor plans that feature 953 to 1,722 square feet of living space. Buyers may choose from a selection of one-bedroom, one-bedroom-plus den, two-bedroom, two-bedroom-plus den and penthouse residences. Pre-construction base prices range from $296,900 to $553,900.

The developer also has designed several combination units with 2,400 to 3,300 square feet of living space.

Plans for Mainstreet Station also call for 8,500 square feet of retail space and secured heated indoor parking for 125 cars.

Ground breaking is expected to begin in fall of 2007. First move-ins at Mainstreet Station are projected for late fall of 2008.

Architects Cordogan, Clark & Associates, Inc. designed a traditional limestone and brick building accented with glazed blue tiles.

One of the larger layouts is Plan 10, a two-bedroom-plus-den, two-bath residence with 1,722 square feet of living space. Buyers who choose this northeast corner plan, priced at $540,900 on the fourth floor, will have 170-square-foot terrace and two balconies.

Guests enter a foyer that leads to the 10- by 10.5-foot den. A washer and dryer are nearby. The 9- by 15-foot eat-in kitchen features custom 42-inch-high furniture-quality wood cabinets with under-cabinet lighting, granite countertops and Kohler Uni-Lever faucet with sprayer and nickel finish.

The standard General Electric kitchen appliance package includes built-in gas oven and dishwasher, space maker microwave over built-in gas cook top, 22-cubic-foot refrigerator with icemaker and garbage disposal.

The kitchen's island bar looks out onto the living/dining area with a balcony located off the east corner of the room. The north side of the room opens to the terrace with views of downtown Evanston.

The two bedrooms and two baths are located on the west side of the residence. The master bedroom is a 12- by 15½-foot room that leads to a walk-in closet. The second bedroom measures 10½ by 12 feet.

Hardwood floors are standard in the living room, dining room, kitchen and foyer. Bedrooms, hallways and closets have carpeting. Closets contain vinyl-coated wire shelves.

Both baths have a choice of vanities with cultured marble tops with two integral bowls, recessed mirror medicine cabinets, ceramic tile floors, Kohler water closet and Kohler Uni-Lever faucets with nickel finishes.

The master bath includes a shower with glass door and ceramic-tiled wall, ceramic-tile floors, king-size bathroom mirror over vanity and linen closet.

Each residence has individually controlled gas hot water radiant heat, central air conditioning and three Category-5 phone outlets. Units are pre-wired for cable, satellite and high-speed Internet.

Building security, fire protection and emergency lighting systems are included along with a telephone intercom/closed-circuit TV system to the lobby.

The Mainstreet Station Condominiums' sales center is at 821 Chicago Avenue, just south of the intersection of Chicago Avenue and Main Street in downtown Evanston.

The office is open Sunday through Friday from noon to 5 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is closed Wednesdays. For information, call (847) 869-1800 or visit www.KatzCondos.com.