Home Builders Association debuts Greater Chicago Home Tour
Judging by the robust response from area homebuilders to the Greater Chicago Home Tour, the Home Builder's Association is anticipating a large turnout as the group debuts its scattered-site showcase of homes spanning three weekends and four counties.
Featuring the best of new housing and remodeled projects, the tour showcases innovative design and state-of-the-art technology and products. You'll visit some very impressive residences priced from $200,000 to more than $5 million.
Opening its doors to the public on Saturday, May 2, and running for three weekends through Sunday, May 17, the tour displays the workmanship of 17 builders and remodelers at 25 sites throughout the suburbs-from River Forest to St. Charles, from Marengo to Spring Grove, from Morton Grove to Libertyville and many points along the way.
Residences feature amenities and design elements to appeal to a wide range of buyer preferences. New construction entries are open throughout the tour, with the remodeled residences open for viewing the final weekend, May 16 and 17. The homes will be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
"Whether you're an empty nester looking for a maintenance free lifestyle, a growing family seeking a home with plenty of indoor and outdoor living space in a top-rated school district, or an established homeowner contemplating renovation of your existing residence, the Greater Chicago Home Tour has sites you owe it to yourself to visit," said Dan Ungerleider, president of the Home Builders Association. "Considering the quality of inventory, the range of options to choose from and available financing, there are some exceptional opportunities out there for buyers right now."
Participating builders are convinced that growing consumer confidence, low interest rates and the quality and workmanship evident in the homes on the tour will generate some real activity this season, with several making the commitment in time and staffing to feature multiple projects.
Toll Brothers, recognized as America's luxury homebuilder, has a major stake in the tour with entries in Elgin, Glenview, Hawthorn Woods, Morton Grove and South Barrington. Wynwood Builders has stepped up to the plate with showings in Crystal Lake and Algonquin; Integrity Homes is featuring two properties in Inverness, and Orren Pickell Designers & Builders is showing both a custom new construction home in Elmhurst and a high-end remodeling project in Northbrook.
"Homeowners are seeking innovative strategies and creative ideas on how they can best suit their needs and family's lifestyle," said Lisa Pickell, Greather Chicago Home Tour co-chair. "And this year's tour represents a great cross section of styles and budgets for both renovation and new construction. Attendees are sure to come away impressed and inspired by the scope of projects showcased."
The Northwest suburbs are well represented on this year's tour, with homes in Kildeer from Arthur J. Greene and Castle Rock, a DBI home in Lakewood, a Gerstad home in McHenry and a Brackmann residence in Marengo. Up and coming Spring Grove features offerings from Mihovilovich and KLM, Empeco is showing in Long Grove, Merit Homes in Libertyville and R. Franczak in Palatine.
Kane County residences enter the mix with two St. Charles sites from SeBern and Michael Vincent, and Oak Park-based Oak Design & Construction opens a recent remodeling project to the public in River Forest.
Marvin Windows & Doors and Verizon Wireless are tour sponsors.
"Marvin Windows & Doors has made a substantial commitment to all segments of the housing industry," said Scott Walbridge, regional sales manager and associate vice president of the Remodelers Council. "In response to market conditions, we've gone to great lengths to continue product innovation and speed up release dates so we can provide solutions to the builders and consumers sooner. In the last six months we've launched the Ultimate Casement family of products so that builders can benefit from the reduced labor time and costs."
Buyers will realize tax deductions generated by the installation of highly energy-efficient new products, Walbridge added.
"We serve both the replacement and the new construction market with offerings that meet the highest standards of energy efficiency and durability, products that will benefit the builders, the homeowners, and the environment," he said.
Free admission at the 25 tour locations includes a copy of Greater Chicago Home Tour magazine. This official magazine of the tour features details of each home. Magazines are available at all Verizon Wireless retail locations, all US Bank branches, at Marvin Windows & Doors showrooms and through the Home Builders Association office in Addison.
More details, hours, directions to the homes and entry blanks for door prize drawings are available at hbagc.com.
Homes on tour
Algonquin
Terrace Lakes
Wynwood Builders
Crystal Lake
Oak Grove
Wynwood Builders
Elgin
Bowes Creek Country Club
Toll Brothers
Elmhurst
Custom home
Orren Pickell Designers & Builders
Glenview
Patriot Commons at The Glen
Toll Brothers
Hawthorn Woods
Hawthorn Woods Country Club
Toll Brothers
Inverness/Barrington
Custom homes:
Winfield Lane
Macalpin Drive
Integrity Homes
Kildeer
Meadowood Estates of Kildeer
Arthur J. Greene Construction
Tall Oaks
Castle Rock Construction
Lakewood
The Reserve
DBI Homebuilders
Libertyville
The Reserve at Merit Club
Merit Homes
Long Grove
Long Meadow Farms
Empeco Custom Builders
Marengo
Brookside Meadows
Brackmann Development Group
McHenry
Liberty Trails of McHenry
Gerstad Builders Inc.
Morton Grove
Crossings at Morton Grove
Toll Brothers
Northbrook
Remodeled home
Orren Pickell Designers & Builders
Palatine
The Heritage of Palatine
R. Franczak and Associates
River Forest
Remodeled home
Oak Design & Construction
St. Charles
Custom home:
Mills Court
Michael Vincent Homes
Prairie Lakes
SeBern Homes
Spring Grove
Thousand Oaks
KLM Builders
Custom home:
Route 12
Mihovilovich Construction
South Barrington
Regency at The Woods
Toll Brothers