Eastchester in neighborhood profile

Thirty years ago, when Jan and Eric Pennacchia looked at blueprints of a new home and saw two walk-in closets in the master bedroom, that's all it took - they were sold on the house.

The couple purchased the home in the Eastchester subdivision in Wheeling even before any models were built. "At that time, it was very unusual to see two walk-in closets in a master bedroom," Jan Pennacchia said. "And we loved it."

The couple enjoys the neighborhood and living in the town where Pennacchia grew up.

"Everyone knows everyone. When people go to the pancake house, (the owner) knows their names," Pennacchia said.

"Our kids and their friends who grew up together still keep in touch. They're all on Facebook, and when they come home for the holidays, they get together. We have a retention pond in the middle of the neighborhood where the kids always had a soccer game or baseball game going. We knew where they were because we could see them.

"This is a friendly neighborhood where a lot of people are outside walking their dogs, pushing a stroller. People always look out for each other; in the winter, we shovel each other's driveway. It's a great small community."

Situated north of Hintz Road and east of Route 83, Eastchester features 66 homes, mostly two-stories with a handful of ranches, typically with three or four bedrooms, 2½ baths and a two-car garage, said Connie Hoos, real estate broker with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage.

"Eastchester is a little treasure of lovely contemporary homes built by Scarsdale Homes," Hoos said. "The neighborhood is very well kept, and people take a lot of pride in their homes and yards. Also, there's a lot of open green space within the community."

"People love the location across from Wheeling High School where kids can walk to school," Pennacchia said. "For those raising a family, it's a very convenient place to live."

Residents are excited that the Wheeling Park District is making big improvements and renovating Heritage Park, which is near the neighborhood and includes 100 acres of nature and recreation. A new sports complex features several sports fields, concession building with restrooms and parking. And a performance pavilion overlooking Lake Heritage will host arts, cultural and music events, including the park district's free summer entertainment series. This is a spectacular renovation with much more in the pipeline.

For golf enthusiasts, the park district's Chevy Chase Country Club is open to the public throughout the year for golf, dining and special events. There is a full-service golf shop and food and drink at the Gable Room Bar & Grill. The golf course offers a variety of leagues, events, instruction and tournaments throughout the season.

The Indian Trails Library is also undergoing an extensive expansion and interior remodeling that will add 14,000 square feet to the building. The added space will include private study rooms, media studio and a training lab for members.

Other area amenities include the Wheeling's popular Milwaukee Avenue "Restaurant Row" and Randhurst Village in Mount Prospect, with its shopping, restaurants and movie theater.

Commuters have easy access to the Wheeling train station, and residents are near I-294. It's a short walk to the bus stop at Hintz Road and Route 83.

Listing sheet

<span class="fact box text bold">Price range:</span> $300,000 to $400,000

<span class="fact box text bold">Age of homes:</span> Built in the late 1980s

<span class="fact box text bold">Schools:</span> Mark Twain Elementary and Holmes Junior High schools in Wheeling Township Elementary District 21 and Wheeling High School in Northwest Suburban High School District 214

<span class="fact box text bold">Parks: </span>Wheeling Park District