Newport Cove in neighborhood profile
Three model cottage homes take center stage at Newport Cove, a planned community that offers year-round, resort-style living with a private 105-slip marina.
Set along Bluff Lake in Antioch, one of the lakes in the famed Chain O' Lakes, the award-winning community by New American Homes features three distinct neighborhoods - the Waterfront, the Estates and the Cottages - all with coastal architecture.
"In the summer, my brother rents a house in the Outer Banks of North Carolina, and that was our inspiration," said Susanne Tauke, president of New American Homes. "Customers tell us our homes really do look like East Coast homes."
The community features 15 acres of open space with beautiful landscaped common areas, swathes of native plants, a waterfront park, walking paths that wind throughout the community and a lighted waterfront walk along the community's shoreline.
The maintenance-free cottage homes feature a first-floor master suite, two to three bedrooms, two to 2½ baths, a basement, patio with option of screened porch, and an attached two-car garage. Models are shown with some optional features.
The Highmeadow starts at $333,000 and offers 1,670 square feet, two bedrooms, two baths, a den (or third bedroom), screened-in porch and two-car garage.
This model's design features a transitional look with a soothing yellow and green color scheme and pear motif.
The kitchen features lots of windows, maple cabinetry with granite countertops, stainless steel appliances and an oversized peninsula with breakfast bar. A planning desk is a plus.
Topped with a cathedral ceiling, the great room offers plenty of seating and a dining area. A stunning display of floor plants and urns is a conversation starter. This room accesses the porch.
French doors open to the den, which has a calming, beachy feel. A cream love seat is inviting and an Auguste Rodin painting adorns the wall.
The first-floor master shows a tray ceiling, sleigh bed with taupe bed cover and a walk-in closet. This room also accesses the porch. The private bath has two sinks, a tub with candle display and walk-in shower with seat.
The second bedroom is outfitted with a day bed.
The Moonriver model starts at $359,000. It is a ranch home with 1,992 square feet, two bedrooms, two baths, den, patio, two-car garage and an elevator that stops at the main floor, garage and basement.
This home features a more contemporary look with an urban flair and a lot of architectural details with a mint green and tan palette and a fishing theme.
"This design showcases a universal design, but quietly," Tauke said. "My sister is a professor of architecture in New York, and she worked with me on the design. It won an award from the National Homebuilders Association for best of 50-plus housing."
The spacious great room offers plenty of seating along with a dining area. The hearth room off the kitchen has more seating centered around a stone fireplace.
French doors bring you into the den where a table for two invites you to play Scrabble or work on a jigsaw puzzle. A built-in wall unit showcases fishing treasures from Tauke's uncle, including fishing lures, a pole and a tackle box handmade from a cigar box.
The kitchen features white and cherry cabinetry with quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances and three-tiered breakfast bar.
A tech niche has a computer station and built-in desk cabinetry. This is a popular feature for the builder.
The master suite looks clean and crisp with a white comforter and white draperies. The suite has two closets and a private bath with a spalike, walk-in shower with two seats.
The second bedroom serves as a guest room.
This house is shown with its English-style basement fully finished with recreation room, full bath and third bedroom.
Also modeled is The Stillwater, starting from $359,000 with 2,215 square feet of space. It features a nautical theme with a red, blue and yellow color scheme.
The sales center at 40492 N. Newport Drive is open from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday or by appointment. For more information, call (847) 726-2727 or visit www.newportcoveonline.com.
Listing sheet
<span class="fact box text bold">Price of homes:</span> Cottage homes, $274,000 to $375,000; custom homes, $400,000 to $900,000
<span class="fact box text bold">Square footage: </span>Cottages, 1,465 to 2,200; custom, 2,200 to 4,200.
<span class="fact box text bold">Schools: </span>Grass Lake Elementary School in Grass Lake Elementary District 39 and Antioch Community High School in Antioch-Lake Villa Area High School District 117.
<span class="fact box text bold">Park district:</span> Antioch Parks and Recreation Department