Mount Prospect Named Best Place to Raise Kids

Two Norwood Communities Located in Mount Prospect

More people are quickly discovering what Norwood Builders has known for years—that the Village of Mount Prospect is a great location for new homes and now the best place in America to raise kids, with the latter recently announced by BusinessWeek magazine.

Among hundreds of towns in the U.S., the publication voted Mount Prospect tops when it comes to raising children. The study looked at towns with at least 50,000 residents and household incomes ranging from $40,000 to $100,000 and based the results on several key factors. These included affordable homes, quality school performance, safety, a desirable cost of living, good air quality, racial diversity, impressive job growth, plentiful parks and recreational facilities, low crime statistics and more.

“I’m thrilled to hear this news, but actually not surprised,” said Bruce Adreani, president of Norwood Builders, which is selling semi-custom row homes at Founders Row and luxury condominiums at The Emerson at Village Centre—both located in Mount Prospect. “This is an excellent, tight-knit community populated by caring families, hardworking professionals and bright, active children. It has a small-town charm all its own and a neighborly feel of camaraderie, brotherhood and community involvement.”

The town shares an undeniable communal sense of civic and school pride. Prospect High School, ranked 12th among all Illinois high schools, has won three state football championships over the last eight years and 26 straight grand champion marching band titles. And other schools within and around Mount Prospect served by District 214 are also highly acclaimed.

Indeed, the prospects for Mount Prospect have never looked brighter — thanks in no small part to the big efforts of Norwood Builders, which has helped put modern-day Mount Prospect on the map for shoppers seeking a low-maintenance, new construction home near the heart of town.

“Norwood Builders has been at the heart of Mount Prospect’s redevelopment activity for the last several years. It started prior to 2000 when we stepped in and completed the Clocktower development, which sold quickly and demonstrated that there was a demand for the type of upscale, attached homes we specialize in that are close to transportation and local amenities,” Adreani said.

Aside from the village’s family friendly attributes, one of the biggest reasons Norwood Builders chose to focus its efforts on Mount Prospect was its transit-oriented, easily accessible location.

“Residents can walk to all of the downtown amenities, including public transportation, neighborhood shops and restaurants,” said Adreani.

The developer’s partnership with the village has resulted in several highly successful residential and mixed-used developments over the years, including the Shops and Lofts at Village Centre, The Residences of Village Centre (all since closed out), and Norwood’s newest communities Founders Row and The Emerson at Village Centre.

Founders Row
Founders Row features 14 historically inspired, semi-custom row homes in the heart of the downtown district. Inspired by Lincoln Park’s McCormick row homes, Gold Coast showcases and other Chicago landmarks, Founders Row brings downtown style to the suburbs, said Adreani.

“Every Founders Row residence is unique,” said Adreani. “We provide the opportunity to customize any home to a buyer’s preferences, as you’d expect in a home of this caliber. We can make it happen so long as what the buyer wants is structurally and mechanically possible.”

A new row home model recently ed for touring and is one of two exciting home styles available at Founders Row. Both designs  with three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, a full expansive basement and two car garages—some of which can accommodate lifts to store additional vehicles. Among the numerous standard amenities are granite or Corian countertops, nickel-finished hardware, security and intercom entry tems, hardwood floors throughout the main living areas, formal staircases, fireplace, nine-foot ceilings, kitchen island and breakfast bar, and ultra master bath with a soaking tub and separate shower.

Base prices range from $899,900 to $904,900 (all prices subject to change without notice), and sizes span 4,446 to 4,536 square feet—making Founders Row among the largest attached new construction in the area.

“Founders Row recalls a classic, bygone era both esthetically and stylistically. The memorable architecture of H. H. Richardson and other practitioners from the Arts and Crafts era helped inspire the buildings’ design. The community was meticulously styled to evoke an unmistakably urban ambience that would mesh perfectly within the co of a suburban village,” said Adreani.

Founders Row is a 2008 award-winning community recognized by the Mason Contractors Association of Greater Chicago. Double-wide walls and reinforced masonry construction ensure a virtually impenetrable sound barrier and extra privacy for residents. Yet, although these homes are located in the heart of Mount Prospect, “the vastness of their size and solidity of construction provide owners with a very private, quiet retreat,” said Adreani.

Outside, personal living space is bestowed by bluestone patios that overlook private landscaped back yards, while the areas between the two buildings that comprise Founders Row reveal an extensively landscaped courtyard.

Residents appreciate the new Village Hall and Library campus, Caribou Coffee, Canta Napoli Restaurant, Oberweis Dairy and LePeep Restaurant. A dry cleaners and various shops, banks and restaurants are also close to home, along with several area parks, the RecPlex recreation center, an outdoor wave pool, two golf courses, outdoor skating rinks, tennis courts, and much more. Additionally, the Mount Prospect Metra train station is two blocks away and easily within walking distance from Founders Row, providing access to downtown Chicago and destinations in between.

To visit the new Founders Row model in Mount Prospect, take Route 83/Elmhurst Rd to Rt. 14/Northwest Highway east to Emerson and turn north two blocks. The model is located at 5 S. Emerson Street and is  Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. or by appointment. For more information on Founders Row, telephone (847) 577-0100 or visit www.NorwoodBuilders.com.

The Emerson at Village Centre
Also nestled comfortably within downtown Mount Prospect is Norwood Builders’ Emerson at Village Centre. Set on the corner of Emerson Street and Busse Avenue, this community of 52 upscale condominiums and duplexes is designed in a contemporary prairie-style brick exterior and sports a handsome curvilinear architecture on the top floor.

Fourteen distinctive condominium designs are available at The Emerson. Each provides one, one-plus-den, or two bedrooms, one to two baths, balcony and/or terrace (depending on the plan ed), and 887 to 1,566 square feet. Two 2-story duplex style residences are also available in two different designs offering 1,242 or 1,688 square feet, each including two bedrooms, one-and-a-half to two-and-a-half baths, oversized balcony and/or terrace. Base prices range from $215,900 to $495,900.

“The Emerson fills a demand for new construction condominiums in a desirable downtown suburban setting—one within walking distance of so many area attractions,” said Adreani. “Among these are the Mount Prospect Metra train station, the library, and numerous neighborhood retailers and restaurants.”

Currently, shoppers can take advantage of two exciting incentives. For starters, first-time buyers at The Emerson can qualify for the government’s $7,500 tax credit. This allows any buyer who has not owned a home during the past three years and is a taxpaying U.S. citizen to take a $7,500 tax credit, if they close before July 1, 2009 (for more details and provisions, visit www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com). In addition, Norwood Builders will match Uncle Sam’s $7,500 credit with an extra $7,500 credit of its own for a limited time. Buyers can apply the Norwood $7,500 credit toward their home’s purchase price or use it toward options or upgrades such as upgraded cabinets, granite countertops and stainless steel appliances in the kitchen.

The Emerson at Village Centre is located at 100 S. Emerson in Mount Prospect. To reach the community, take Rt. 83/Elmhurst Road to Rt. 14/Northwest Highway east to Emerson and turn north approximately one block. Hours are noon to 6 p.m. on Monday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday (closed Thursday and Friday). For further details, please call 847-577-0100.

Norwood Builders, an exclusive marketing agent, has an enviable 55-year history bringing thousands of single-family and condominium homes to the marketplace throughout Chicago and its suburbs. Norwood Builders’ commitment to quality living is evident throughout its communities, which features fine craftsmanship and top-of-the-line materials. Norwood Builders currently has new homes available in Mount Prospect and Roselle and is coming soon to Park Ridge and Wheaton.

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Norwood Builders Opens Exciting New Furnished Row Home Model at Founders Row in Mount Prospect

A new decorated model home just opened at Founders Row in Mount Prospect, a community of 14 historically inspired, semi-custom row homes in the heart of the downtown district.

Inspired by Lincoln Park’s McCormick row homes, Gold Coast showcases and other Chicago landmarks, Founders Row brings downtown style to the suburbs. Designed in a ‘cottage revival’ style, with a charming blend of traditional and contemporary furnishings, décor and colors, the new model showcases the gamut of inclusions, workmanship and range of customizations one can make in a Founders Row residence.

“From the white painted balustrades on the staircase to the bead boarded bench in the mud room to the marble surround of the fireplace, all the details were carefully designed to give potential residents a precise representation of the outstanding value, bountiful size, impeccable craftsmanship and uncompromising luxury of these homes,” said Bruce Adreani, president of Norwood Builders. Details in the model also include a loaded kitchen with a butler’s pantry, center island, granite and butcher block countertops, stainless steel appliances, decoratively glazed cabinets and so much more.

The new model offers three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a two-car garage and 4,446 square feet spaciously shared over four levels. The main floor features an entry foyer, formal living room with a built-in gas log fireplace, separate dining room, butler pantry, fully applianced gourmet kitchen, expansive family room, powder room, and mudroom. The next level up houses a master suite with whirlpool tub and walk-in shower, two additional bedrooms, second full bath linen closet as well as a convenient laundry area. The third level boasts over 500 square feet of flexible bonus space, modeled as an entertainment room, game room and adjacent home office for two. This level also has a full bath. A full basement rounds out the interior and is ideal for a future recreational, fitness and/or storage area.

“Inside, no two homes are exactly alike,” said Adreani. “We offer extensive customizing possibilities, as befits homes of this caliber. If what the buyer wants is structurally and mechanically possible, we can make it happen.”

Loaded Gourmet Kitchens

The new model is one of two exciting home styles available at Founders Row. Both designs with three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, a full expansive basement and two car garages—some of which can accommodate lifts for additional vehicles. Among the numerous standard amenities are granite or Corian countertops, nickel-finished hardware, security and intercom entry systems, hardwood floors throughout the main living areas, formal staircases, fireplace, 9’ ceilings, kitchen island and breakfast bar, and ultra master bath with a soaking tub and separate shower. Base prices range from $899,900 to $904,900 (all prices subject to change without notice), and sizes span 4,446 to 4,536 square feet—making Founders Row among the largest attached new construction in the area.

Aesthetically and stylistically, Founders Row harkens back wistfully to a bygone era. The design of the buildings was inspired by the robust architecture of H. H. Richardson and other practitioners from the Arts and Crafts era. The development was carefully designed to a decidedly urban feel that would fit comfortably within the co of a suburban village, said Adreani.

Highlighted by custom brickwork, arched doorways, bluestone steps and patios together with soaring peaked rooflines, the two and three-story residences at Founders Row are a towering presence that compliment the stature of the nearby village hall, library and other civic neighbors.

Founders Row is a 2008 Award winning community recognized by the Mason Contractors Association of Greater Chicago. Double-wide walls and reinforced masonry construction ensure a virtually impenetrable sound barrier and extra privacy for residents. Yet, although these homes are located in the heart of Mount Prospect, “the vastness of their size and solidity of construction provide owners with a very private, quiet retreat,” said Adreani

Outside, personal living space is provided by bluestone patios that overlook private landscaped back yards, while the areas between the two buildings that comprise Founders Row feature an extensively landscaped courtyard.

Award Winning Masonry Construction

Mount Prospect was recently named the best place in the nation to raise children, according to Business Week magazine. The village beat out thousands of towns and cities across the country to claim this coveted spot. Among the most heavily weighted qualifiers were school performance, safety and affordability.

Mount Prospect Area highlights—each within walking distance—includes the new Village Hall and Library campus, Caribou Coffee, Canta Napoli Restaurant, Oberweis Dairy and LePeep Restaurant. A dry cleaners and various shops, banks and restaurants are also close to home, along with several area parks, the RecPlex recreation center, an outdoor wave pool, two golf courses, outdoor skating rinks, tennis courts, and much more. Parents will also appreciate the area’s acclaimed District 214 schools.

In addition, the Mount Prospect Metra train station is a short two blocks away and easily within walking distance, from Founders Row, providing access to downtown Chicago and destinations in between.

To visit the new Founders Row model in Mount Prospect, take Route 83/Elmhurst Rd to Rt. 14/Northwest Highway east to Emerson and turn north two blocks. The model is located at 5 S. Emerson Street and is noon to 6 p.m. Monday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. For more information on Founders Row, telephone (847) 577-0100 or visit www.NorwoodBuilders.com.

Norwood Builders, an exclusive marketing agent, has an enviable 55-year history bringing thousands of single-family and condominium homes to the marketplace throughout Chicago and its suburbs. Norwood Builders’ commitment to quality living is evident throughout its communities, which features fine craftsmanship and top-of-the-line materials. Norwood Builders currently has new homes available in Mount Prospect and Roselle and is coming soon to Park Ridge and Wheaton.