Workmanship part of the value
A few generations ago, size was paramount when it came to homes. At its two condominium complexes in Vernon Hills and Lincolnshire, Weiss Development Corp. touts careful design and details as different marks of quality.
At River's Edge, 80 residences in two five-story buildings in Vernon Hills, and Lincolnshire Place Condominiums, 62 residences in a four-story building downtown Lincolnshire, "the value of the home isn't strictly in its size, but in the workmanship, design and materials," said Helen Weiss, vice president of Weiss Development.
"Most of our empty-nester buyers are more concerned that the space is arranged for adult living than its volume," she said.
River's Edge features six two-bedroom, two-bath designs, some with additional dens or formal dining rooms, and one three-bedroom, 2½-bath plan. Sizes range from 1,745 to 2,325 square feet with private balconies, while prices range from $347,700 to $529,900.
The seven floor plans at Lincolnshire Place range from 1,784 to 2,810 square feet with prices ranging from $438,900 to $829,500.
Construction at Lincolnshire Place began in the spring with first residents taking occupancy in late summer 2008. River's Edge has condominium homes available for immediate delivery.
The Ash, the largest plan offered at River's Edge at 2,325 square feet, has two bedrooms, two baths, a circular turret-style den, a formal dining room, a living room and an unusual round gallery near the entrance.
At the other end of the size spectrum is Lincolnshire Place's Plan A, a two-bedroom, 2½-bath model with 1,784 square feet. It has a porch and private entry on first-floor homes and a balcony on upper-level homes. Other Lincolnshire Place floor plans include private rooftop decks, and penthouse units have volume ceilings and wraparound balconies.
Plan C at Lincolnshire Place -- with two bedrooms, 2½ baths and a den in 2,288 square feet -- has a second bedroom suite with a large bay window and private full bath.
The three-bedroom, 2½-bath Hickory floor plan, set as a corner unit on each floor at River's Edge, has a circular main gallery, a 22- by 22-foot Great Room and two private balconies facing east and north.
River's Edge is adjacent to the Half Day Forest Preserve and has a 1.2-acre park with the Des Plaines River to its east.
The Infinity Terrace at Lincolnshire Place is adjacent to the building's exercise and Resident's Club rooms and will offer buyers an outdoor fireplace and grill and a view of ponds, wetlands, woods, and an infinity-edge reflecting pool.
Units at both developments include computer-friendly "I-Net" stations with pre-wired R-6 coaxial cable and Category 5E multi-line telephone outlets, solid-core doors with Schlage hardware, wood flooring in the foyer, and one or two deeded indoor parking spaces with storage.
Kitchens include granite counter tops, maple wall cabinets in a variety of stain options, Whirlpool gas ranges, dishwashers, built-in microwave ovens and side-by-side refrigerators with ice and water dispensers, Kitchenaid disposals and Kohler double-bowl stainless steel sinks.
Each master bedroom suite will feature two walk-in closets and a luxury bath with Kohler soaking tubs and separate showers, as well as Corian vanity tops; mirrored medicine cabinets and full-length vanity mirrors.
The information center for both communities is at River's Edge on the east side of Milwaukee Avenue 1½ blocks north of Route 22; enter on Benjamin Drive. Office hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Call (847) 821-8080 or visit www.WeissDevelopment.com.