Towns and neighborhoods rife with teardowns are proof of the adage that “what’s old is new again.”
After a period of growth followed by a number of years of stability, the advantages of an area–good location, mature trees, good schools–are rediscovered and construction begins anew.
The phenomenon can be controversial and painful to long-time residents –I know because I live in a teardown zone–yet it also bespeaks an area’s vibrancy and regeneration.
Suburbs with upscale reputations like Hinsdale, Glen Ellyn, Glencoe and Winnetka have grabbed the headlines with well-publicized efforts to come to grips with such changes but the phenomenon is moving just as rapidly–perhaps more so– through places once known for moderate-priced homes.
Among the suburbs seeing this transition are Elmhurst and Lombard. The trend has prompted Hartz Construction, which in recent decades has been in the production-housing business, to jump into the fray.
After decades of building several dozen subdivisions and 8,000 homes, most recently in the $225,000 to $500,00 range, the 50-year-old family-owned company has a new venture.
Dubbed the Elite Collection, it currently has two floor plans with more to be added, aimed at buyers who want to build a customized house on one of 50 sites scattered in the two towns’ neighborhoods. The base price is about $758,000. If a buyer already has architectural plans, Hartz will build to suit on one of the sites.
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“This is new in that we have not done this in a long while,” said Suzanne Hamilton, director of marketing. But it is also old for the company, she added, because, “it is how the company did construction in 1958, when it started.”
The floor plans are “custom designed for Elmhurst and Lombard” to meet local zoning requirements, Hamilton said. “We are creating a home that is two to three times the size of the existing homes, but conform to the lot sizes.”
Though the company continues to build new developments, the rapidly changing housing stock in these suburbs offers a unique opportunity,Hamilton said:
“There is demand for these houses. As land diminishes you have people who want to remain in a community, but also want a larger home.”
Elmhurst dates back to the mid-1800s, but it flourished with the explosion of suburbanization following World War II. Much of the housing stock is smallish by today’s standards, well-tended brick Cape Cod and ranch-style homes popular 40 to 50 years ago.
The town’s Web site mentions its founding on the prairie, but the community today has an abundance of green lawns and mature trees. It also has a lively downtown, is home to a four-year liberal arts college, a symphony, a history museum and an art museum.
It’s most enduring appeal, however–and that of neighboring Lombard–is its proximity to major highways, rail lines and other transportation amenities.
Hartz salesman Glenn Dye said early shoppers to the company’s furnished “spec home” model on busy York Road have been current residents of Elmhurst who like the community and are trying to decide whether to renovate or buy new.
Early buyers have been Chicagoans who like the suburb’s easy access to the city, O’Hare Airport and the shopping and entertainment in nearby Oak Brook. The buyers typically want larger quarters in a quiet community with some greenery, he said.
The model is the four-bedroom Allerton with 3,200 square feet of living space. The four-bedroom Bainbridge with 3,300 square feet is nearing completion in a different neighborhood. Three other homes are in various stages of construction, according to Hamilton.
The Allerton has a brick and stone front and sits well back from the street, a plus for privacy on busy York Road. The deep setback and extensive landscaping minimize its larger size and help it blend with smaller neighbors.
I count that as a definite plus because a hulking newcomer overshadowing modest existing homes has all the appeal of a neighborhood bully.
The long driveway leads to the front door and a tight turnaround provides access to the three-car side-load garage that juts in front of the house. According to Dye, the three-bay garage has been a particular hit with browsers.
Inside the front door, the staircase to the second floor divides the 13-by-16 1/2-foot living room from the 13-by-13-foot dining room. Though the living room has real walls, this floor plan has wide walkways and hallways that provide an open, airy feeling. The dining room is open and is defined by two pillars and a coffered ceiling.
The sight lines from inside the front door are open to the two-story family room at the back of the house behind the dining room.
Visitors are likely drawn to the 21-by-15-foot space by the stone fireplace and the large windows overlooking the back lawn.
To the right of the family room is an 11-by-12 1/2-foot family dining area which has doors to the back yard deck. A peninsula counter on the opposite side of the room divides the eating area from the 11-by-16-foot kitchen.
Between the kitchen and garage is a comfortably sized laundry/mud room with enough space for full-sized appliances, a sink, a counter for folding clothes and a decent closet.
A powder room and study, 13 by 15 feet, is behind the living room on the other side of the main floor.
The master bedroom suite, above the living room and study, takes one side of the second floor. A bridge walkway, overlooking the family room, connects the master suite to the three bedrooms and bath at the other side of the second floor.
The master suite includes the bedroom, 13 by almost 21 feet, generous his-and-hers walk-in closets and a master bath with both whirlpool and large shower. This is a big, wide open bath with the commode in one corner.
The so-called linen closet is tiny. The two sinks are on either side of the door into the bath, allowing each spouse space for a morning routine. And there are two nice details. The sink with a dressing table is next to a window for maximum natural light for a woman to put on make-up. And the half-moon window over the whirlpool is high enough that a bather will not be exposed to the neighbors.
At the other end of the second floor are three secondary bedrooms and a hall bath. The latter is comfortable and has two sinks and realistic linen closet. The smallest of the bedrooms is roughly 11 1/2 by 10 1/2 feet, according to the floor plan.
It has a closet across one wall with wide doors that pull open. I like the concept, and especially the solid core doors, but they are so big they are likely to bang furniture in this room.
This is a house with a lot of space (especially if one counts the full basement) and a straightforward, usable floor plan.
The base price is $768,900 but, with upgrades and without the displayed furniture, this spec home stickers at $990,900. At $240 a square foot, it’s not inexpensive. With upgrades, it is pushing $350 per square foot.
I like that the builder has taken pains to tuck this particular dwelling amidst established trees. One can sit in the family room and see the green branches of a mature tree through the windows.
However, customization means more than a choice of granite for countertops. It means such basics as window placement for light and privacy. That means not looking directly into an existing home or missing, by a few inches, a wonderful view.
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Will the plan work as well with the established foliage on another site? How will it coordinate with the homes of other neighbors? Those are questions buyers who build in teardown zones need to consider carefully.
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Elite Collection by Hartz
Address: 770 York Rd., Elmhurst
Developer: Hartz Construction
Phone: 630-242-8681
Web: www.hartzhomes.com
Description: Two single-family house floor plans with four bedrooms, 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 baths in 3,200 or 3,300 square feet with basement and attached two- or three-car garage. Prices from $757,900. Prices as of April 22.
Amenities: Nine-foot first floor ceilings; hardwood floors in dining room, foyer, living room and family room; central vacuum system; solid core doors; 42-inch upper kitchen cabinets and granite countertops; whirlpool and deck.
Neighborhood: Near downtown Elmhurst, shopping, dining, parks. Easy access to Metra rail service, major highways.