Willow Lake luxury homes available for preview sales

Preview sales are under way for luxury villa homes at Willow Lake, a 52-unit development in Lake Forest on Chicago's North Shore.

"The new development will be built on the former Fitzmorris Estate, a 21.6-acre enclave located at Route 60 and Field Court in the western portion of the suburb," says John McLinden, partner in Centrum Properties, the developer.

"Willow Lake will feature two lakes and take its cues from the site's natural elements and setting next to Willow Lake," says Jennifer Arons, senior vice president of marketing for Centrum Properties. An on-site sales center is scheduled to open in September.

The two-story villas -- attached single-family homes -- designed by the Chicago-based architectural firm of Darcy Bonner and Associates, will feature 3,884 to 3,995 square feet of living space in addition to a finished or unfinished basement level. Select units will showcase lookout basements.

Each villa will have a two-car-plus garage with room for guest parking in driveways. In addition, all residences with master bedroom upstairs will have an elevator. The other floor plan has a first-floor master bedroom.

"We've designed multiple floor plans, elevations and color options to maintain a diverse neighborhood," Arons says. "This is achieved by having two footprints and diversified by having different elevations for each footprint, making for a variety of choices."

Preconstruction sales are under way from an on-site sales center, Arons said. Base prices for the villa homes range from about $1.2 million to $1.6 million.

The homes will showcase kitchens with stainless-steel appliances, 42-inch cabinets, 1.25-inch granite counters, work islands and white-oak floors.

Exteriors at Willow Lake will showcase English-Country style architecture highlighted by natural colors and textures, says Jaclyn Schwartz, project manager for Centrum Properties. Rooflines will be accented with natural cedar shingles.

Upper exterior walls of the homes will be stained clapboard siding with an option for cedar shingles or stained stucco. The base of the exteriors will be formed with brick and lannon stone.

One of the most popular floor plans is the Deerpath, a four-bedroom residence with 6,149 square feet of living space, including an optional finished or unfinished basement.

The main level features entry from the attached garage or via a foyer. The foyer leads to a hallway that has an adjoining powder room. To the right of the foyer is the library.

Down the hallway is a kitchen featuring a center work island and access to a laundry room and pantry.

Farther down the hall is the dining room that opens to a living room, creating an open area. The living/dining area has access to a deck.

The main level also has a master bedroom with two walk-in closets and private access to the master bath. The upper level features three bedrooms and two full baths.

The house includes a 2,154-square-foot unfinished basement, or the option to finish the basement with wine storage, another bedroom, a theater room and full bath.

Preview appointments are available at Willow Lake. Register for information at www.centrum.com.

The on-site sales center at Willow Lake is scheduled to open in September at Route 60 and Field Court. The center will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.

For more information, call (847) 735-1400.