IN THE PRESS

Publication: Herald News (IL)
Date: October 21, 2006

Flexibility Is Key With New Cedar Plan at Buckingham Orchard

There's a new way to spell flexibility and it's called the Cedar model, available at Buckingham Orchard, the Dearborn-Buckingham Groups luxury townhouse community in Lombard.

The Cedar can be configured at least three distinct ways, including one configuration that highlights a first-floor master suite. The Buckingham Orchard townhouse community is located near old Route 53 and North Avenue in Lombard and features 34 townhouses, with pre-construction base prices starting in the $340,000s. A decorated model is scheduled to open in November.

"Our new Cedar floor plan is one of the most flexible and innovative layouts available at any townhome community in the Chicagoland area," say Christopher Coleman, president of The Dearborn-Buckingham Group. "We took our time in creating a floor plan that will meet the needs of the widest range of buyers, from those who want the convenience of a first floor master suite, a home that offers two luxury master suites or for those buyers looking for something in-between. The Cedar can be configured in at least three distinctive layouts. Since introducing this plan this month, our response to its flexibility has been outstanding."

Buckingham Orchard is a 34-home community consisting of architecturally distinctive, two-story townhouses in a lushly landscaped court-style setting. As a low-maintenance community, outdoor landscape maintenance is included in the affordable monthly association fee.

Three floor plans are available, the new Cedar model measuring 1,730 square feet, the Birch model at 1,660 square feet and the Ash model sized at 1,750 square feet. Both standard and end-unit locations are available, with each home including a full basement and central air conditioning as standard. Pre-construction base prices being in the $340,000s depending on building location and selected floor plan.

The Dearborn-Buckingham Group will be opening a fully furnished and professionally decorated model at Buckingham Orchard shortly, where buyers can still receive up to $5,000 in free options for their new townhome. Complete details are available from the sales center.

Each townhouse at Buckingham Orchard boasts numerous included features. Each home has two to four bedrooms; a convertible loft; up to three full baths; a full basement; central air conditioning and a full-sized two-car garage. Every home also highlights a luxurious owner's suite, with walk-in closet and private full bath. Approximately 70 percent of the homes also include look-out or daylight basements.

The new Cedar floor plan comes standard with a first-floor master suite. As an end-unit design, this configuration includes a covered front entryway that opens into the enlarged two-story great room with angled staircase. The great room flows into the kitchen with optional center island. Adjacent to the kitchen and tucked into the corner for privacy is the master suite, with a box bay window, walk-in closet and private full bath.

The first floor also includes a laundry room with entry to the garage and a centrally located powder room.

Upstairs, the Cedar has a unique stepped-down landing, which leads to the oversized family room or to the secondary bedroom and loft. The hallway overlooks the great room below. A large storage room near the top of the stairs can also be converted into a laundry room.

"When the Cedar is configured to include the first floor master suite, the entire design of this home lives like a single-family design. The second floor family room is separated from the bedroom and loft areas for privacy and since this room is so large, it can be used in a wide variety of ways, from a home theater to an exercise space or as the dining room when the entire extended family comes for Thanksgiving dinner," Coleman said.

A second available layout for the Cedar is having the family room on the first floor, in place of the master suite and placing the master bedroom upstairs in its own private spot. When designed like this, the second floor master includes a spacious sitting area, a walk-in closet with window and a master bath with dual bowl vanity and soaking tub.

A third configuration for this model is keeping the family room on the first floor and creating a dual loft second floor, where the second loft is created from the sitting area of the standard second floor master suite.

With either of these configurations, the standard loft located in the corner can also be converted into a third bedroom.

Still another optional configuration for the Cedar is the creation of dual luxury master suites on the second floor. In this layout, the rear loft and secondary bedroom becomes one large master suite with walk-in closet and private bath. On the other side of the second floor, a second master suite is created, with its own walk-in closet and private bath.

"Another thing to remember about the Cedar is that with the flexibility we have designed into this home, a buyer could actually create three separate bedroom suites, each with their own walk-in closets and private baths, or first and second floor master suites with loft space and so-on. Buyers could also specify first and second floor family rooms. The possibilities are truly amazing and being able to have this kind of choice in a townhome is unheard of. When you add in the fact that the Cedar also has a full basement, the value of what Buckingham Orchard has to offer really shines through," said Coleman.

Every townhome at Buckingham Orchard includes standard such as 9-foot first-floor ceilings (with volume ceilings in select rooms, per plan); ceramic tile or oak hardwood flooring in the entry foyers; classic white painted Colonist six-panel doors and trim with premium hardware; decorator selected wall-to-wall carpeting and designer light fixtures are all included features. Decorative architectural niches or plant shelves are also found in select plans.

The kitchens showcase Aristocraft cabinetry and a complete GE appliance package that includes an under-cabinet spacesaver microwave; a self-cleaning gas oven and range; built-in multicycle dishwasher and compartmented stainless steel sink with single-lever faucet, vegetable sprayer and disposal.

The baths include custom wood vanities, full width vanity mirrors and brand name plumbing fixtures by Kohler.

Buyers have also been attracted to Buckingham Orchard because of the neighborhood's location. The community is close to transportation, including the downtown Lombard Metra station. Connections to Interstate 355 are minutes away; as are major arterial roads like North Avenue, Route 53 and Route 38 (Roosevelt Road).

For townhome buyers who enjoy spending time outdoors, Buckingham Orchard is within walking distance to the Great Western Trail, which is part of the 60-mile Illinois Prairie Path.

Buckingham Orchard is in Lombard, near old Route 53 and North Avenue. To visit, take I-355 to North Avenue, east to Old Route 53, south approximately one-half mile to Pleasant Lane, west to the sales center. The sales center is open noon to 5 p.m. Friday through Tuesday; closed Wednesday and Thursday. For more information call (630) 261-9404.