Anyone who walks into the lobby of the 90-unit Cumberland Crossing condominium doesn’t have to be sold on its location.
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People who head for the sales office are there precisely because this 9-story building is exactly where it is: minutes away from O’Hare by car or the CTA Blue Line, a block south of Interstate Highway 90 and about as far west as you can get and still have a Chicago address.
The lookers and buyers, so far, already know about the roar of the planes overhead and the frequency of flights to and from one of the world’s busiest airports. The traffic and high decidel levels that might be downers for others apparently are music to the ears of those who want to be as close to O’Hare as possible: The people who pilot or service the aircraft, the people who work in the terminals. Flight attendants, managers, electricians and pilots are among those who’ve already contracted for condos, along with varied employees of the city who are required to live in Chicago and prefer its fringes. Some empty-nesters just like the area–noise or not–because it’s long been their neighborhood.
It helps, though, that sales manager Tom Rhodes gives a convincing open-and-close demonstration with the balcony’s sliding doors and explains all the sound-absorbing “triple glazing” and “drywall-over-soundboard” construction processes that cut some of the outdoor sound effects.
Rhodes, in fact, is rather unusual in the sales arena. He points out things you might not ask, either because you don’t know some of these mysteries of home building, because they’re “little things,” as he calls them, or simply because they’re sort of off-the-wall–actually, very often in the walls or under the floors.
While he’s good at calling attention to the size of walk-in closets and what makes a particular floor plan popular, Rhodes is also full of the behind-the-scene elements that can make life more pleasant.
He casually asks if you noticed the front and rear paver brick entry walks: “They’re heated so there won’t be any ice or snow buildup in winter.” While noting that all the balconies have outdoor carpeting, he also adds that there are radiant heat coils in interior floors adjacent to balcony doors or windows “to take the chill off the wall.” He runs his finger down the side of the bathroom mirrors and says “beveled.” It’s a nice detail.
It’s also standard. Rhodes is one of those rare sales types who readily differentiates between upgrades and standard amenities–before you have to ask.
There are more hidden assets: The building has a backup generator to keep at least one elevator and the hallway lights working when ComEd isn’t. Bathroom walls, especially around tubs and showers, are re-enforced so that grab bars can be added in the future, if necessary.
Just a few more of those “little things”: The lobby intercom/TV is low enough to accommodate a person in a wheelchair, while electric outlets are higher from the floor than usual for easier reach; phone and TV jacks are on a bedroom’s opposite walls.
Now, about the big things: There are 10 models (three decorated) open to walk through. All but two have curved or angled half-walls between kitchens and great rooms or living/dining rooms, giving that great open feeling to the most lived-in rooms.
The two one-bedroom, one-bath floor plans seem ideal for the singles (from their 20s up) and some empty-nesters (up to their 80s) who prefer compact living space.
My favorites–the Kensington and the similar though larger Manchester–are empty and, unfortunately, not conducive to photography. But, take a look. Both have long foyers, angled to the living room, which has its dining room off to the far corner, resulting in an L shape. Both plans have kitchens with their open walls facing the dining rooms, adding wall space to the living room. Bedrooms are at opposite ends of the unit; closets are very large; laundry rooms have more space than others.
The decorated Dartmoor II and the Laurel are fairly similar in layout: entry, kitchen/dinette to one side; living area ahead; bedrooms in the other direction. But, the Laurel has strong advantages: It’s almost 150 square feet larger but has a second bathroom and separate living and dining rooms (Dartmoor has a great room).
Laurel has another plus, though an upgrade: Potential buyers can see what Norwood Builders can do with built-ins. A wall of cabinets/shelves/TV space handles storage quite handsomely.