Customizing charisma brought to luxury townhouses
From the time he was a young boy, Jeff Samuels was fascinated by every aspect of homebuilding, as he learned various trades at his father Stanley Samuels' custom building company.
As president of S. Samuels Homes Inc., Jeff Samuels has continued to design and build unique homes and major renovations around the North and North Shore suburbs.
Most recently, Samuels is building the last 12 luxury townhouses at Victoria Park, a 55-and-older neighborhood in a convenient Libertyville location. (Family members younger than 21 cannot live in the community full time.)
Just two of the six ranch plans and four of the two-story homes with first-floor master bedrooms remain for sale, with prices from the low-$400,000s.
"Although the brick exteriors of the homes mirror the other residences in the community, we have redesigned the interiors with open concept living areas and other features that buyers most want these days," Samuels said. "Beyond the fine-quality-included features, we also offer the opportunity to customize these interiors more extensively than is usually available, based on 40 years of proven creativity and experience.
"I take a hands-on approach with each home, to ensure unparalleled craftsmanship and my personal attention to every detail. I work closely with the buyers as we partner in incorporating their ideas and favorite design pieces, whether they be antiques or more contemporary elements.
"A buyer may come to us with photos from magazines or websites or they may have photos of favorite features from the homes they are leaving, and they ask if we can re-create this effect in their new townhouse. Since we are a custom builder, we do not have predetermined upgrade packages, so buyers have the freedom to visit a variety of suppliers to obtain the exact look and materials they have in mind. We help them find the appropriate suppliers and we then create the customized highlight," he said.
Both townhouse designs include light-filled open concept living areas, gourmet kitchens with a choice of furniture-quality cabinets and granite countertops; solid oak flooring in the kitchens, family rooms, dining rooms and foyers; tile in powder rooms, stained oak railings with painted trim in two-story plans, master baths with deluxe showers, bathrooms with ceramic tile and granite vanity tops with undermount bowl sinks, full basements that can be finished as an option, patios and two-car garages with openers. Fireplaces, finished basements and a variety of other options are available to create a distinctive residence.
The Carlyle ranch, located in end locations in each building, includes a private side entrance and covered porch, 1,700 square feet of living space, two bedrooms, two full baths and optional den. A sampling of features includes a gourmet kitchen with pantry and oversized island breakfast bar, dining room and great room with tray ceiling and plentiful windows.
Offering great privacy for a lower cost per square foot is the 2,270-square-foot Normandy, with two bedrooms and a den, including a first-floor master bedroom, 2½ baths, two-story great room and dining room, gourmet kitchen with island and breakfast bar plus a pantry.
"The two-story Normandy projects a sense of grandeur, with a dramatic sitting/flex space with a striking semicircular overlook as well as two more bedrooms, a spacious loft and a Jack-and-Jill bath," Samuels said. "Whatever the choice, these homes make a statement for those who want a low-maintenance lifestyle without sacrificing the highest standards of luxury and craftsmanship."
Victoria Park is on the north side of Route 137 (Peterson Road), just west of Milwaukee Avenue, and within walking distance from a shopping area that includes Sunset Foods, restaurants and a bank. The community is near the Liberty Prairie Nature Preserve, and is close to the many attractions of downtown Libertyville.
Call Samuels at (847) 417-3170 for more information and to view the model home. Also visit samuelshomes.com.