Neighborhood profile features Libertyville’s Havenwood
Older, charming homes, an abundance of mature trees and a convenient location near schools and downtown draw homebuyers to the Havenwood neighborhood in Libertyville.
Situated on Route 176 west of Milwaukee Avenue and just east of Butterfield Road, Havenwood offers large, two-story homes with up to five bedrooms and 3½ baths, well-tended lawns with beautiful landscaping and great curb appeal.
“Havenwood is a wonderful community of custom homes that people love, have renovated and add on to and stayed,” said Lynn Fairfield, broker associate with RE/MAX Suburban. “This has really helped the value of the neighborhood.
“A funny story — the first home I sold in real estate was on Harms (Avenue) in Havenwood in 1988, and it recently sold again this year. The subdivision has timeless appeal.”
The neighborhood includes Harms Avenue, Havenwood Drive, Dymond Road and Gracewood Drive.
Faith Curtis and her husband, Greg Gola, have completely remodeled the home they purchased 13 years ago. “It’s pretty much a brand new house with old walls on the outside,” Curtis said.
“We didn’t add on to it because it’s plenty big enough and had a marvelous screened porch that we liked. We took down two walls, so it’s open, and the kitchen is on the back of the home.
“It’s a Colonial home that doesn’t look unusual, but when people come in, they’re blown away. It’s a house that everyone loves as soon as they walk in the door. I don’t mean to brag, but that’s what happens.”
Curtis has put a lot of work into the large corner lot that was also a selling point for the home. “I get a lot of compliments on it because I’m a gardener. We have a horseshoe drive with an island where I’ve planted all perennials.”
Curtis has been a longtime Libertyville resident, and she knew the area and was familiar with the neighborhood when they bought in Havenwood.
Curtis likes the location, which she says is in the middle of everything. “It’s a hike, but we can walk to the train; I’ve done it many times. We’re close to downtown and very close to the health club I go to. Very convenient location. There are so many amenities within five minutes.”
Other draws to the subdivision are the huge park with baseball and soccer fields across Dymond Road and good schools that are within walking distance, Fairfield said. “These amenities are important to homebuyers.”
For other recreation, the Libertyville Sports Complex features an indoor events center with all kinds of sports and a climbing mountain, one of the top fitness centers in the area; a softball field with leagues and tournaments and an award-winning golf practice range.
Libertyville’s quaint downtown area with shops, restaurants, boutiques and coffee shops offers the charm and warmth of yesterday that a lot of people like. The ongoing work to restore and preserve historic Libertyville adds to its traditional hometown feel.
In the summer, lunch in the park and dinner in the park are popular activities in which local restaurants set up shop around the downtown square. The park also hosts concerts in the park, Libertyville Days and other events throughout the year
“We’ve seen a lot of changes through the years,” Curtis said. “Downtown Libertyville has really blossomed. It’s so vibrant — a lovely, lovely community.”
Listing sheet
Price range: $400,000 to $750,000
Age of homes: About 45 years old
Schools: Rockland Elementary and Highland Middle schools in Libertyville Elementary District 70; Libertyville High School in Community High School District 128
Parks: Libertyville Park District