IN THE PRESS

Publication: The Sun(IL)
Date: April 7,21 & 28, 2006

Buckingham Orchard showcases the best in townhome living

Townhome buyers looking for a convenient, close-in location in an intimate neighborhood setting with superb floor plans will find what they're looking for at Buckingham Orchard in west suburban Lombard, a townhome community by the Dearborn-Buckingham Group.

Buckingham Orchard is located near old Route 53 and North Avenue in Lombard and features just 22 townhomes starting in the $340s. The floor plans at this community emphasize easy living with luxurious inclusions, giving these homes a custom single-family livability along with a maintenance-free lifestyle with no outdoor landscape chores to worry about.

"Buckingham Orchard continues our philosophy of building homes in established, close-in suburbs with schools recognized for their achievements, a wide array of parks and recreational amenities and quick access to transportation," said Christopher Coleman, president of The Dearborn-Buckingham Group. "Buckingham Orchard builds on the success of our nearly sold out Buckingham Meadows community in Lombard, which featured single-family homes."

At Buckingham Orchard, buyers can choose from two very well equipped floor plans that each underscore luxurious townhome living.

The townhomes at Buckingham Orchard are two-story designs offered in two different floor plans. The Birch measures 1,660 square feet and the Ash is a 1,750 square foot home. Both standard and end-unit configurations are available. Pre-construction prices begin in the $340,000s depending on building location and floor plan size a decorated model will open this summer.

Each floor plan has two or three bedrooms; a convertible loft; 2.5 baths; a full basement and a two-car garage. Every home features a deluxe Owner's Suite, with walk-in closet and private bath. Approximately 70-percent of the homes also feature look out or daylight basements.

The Dearborn-Buckingham Group has created a quiet and intimate neighbor hood setting at Buckingham Orchard. The community has only four townhome clusters, with four to six units each, carefully placed along a single street with a beautifully landscaped cul-de-sac turnaround. A professional landscape plan complements the mature wooded surroundings.

The townhomes highlight many architectural details, with engaging rooflines; brick trim on the first floor; covered entryways with columns; decorative shutters and elegant window openings with keystone accents that combine to present a classic and stylish appearance.

"As a builder who also crafts custom and semi-custom homes, we have included in the townhomes at Buckingham Orchard many single-family home touches, like a plant shelf in the entry foyer or a kitchen with a center island. These inclusions really help set our designs apart from other townhomes in Chicagoland," Coleman said.

The Ash is an end-unit model that measures 1,750 square feet and features and open floor plan with large windows. This home has two bedrooms; a loft that can be converted into a third bedroom; a two-story living room; a formal dining room and a family room open to the eat-in kitchen.

The two-story entry foyer highlights the angled staircase and also features a plant shelf. The family room flows into the kitchen, which features a center island and breakfast bar, corner pantry and sliding glass doors that lead to the rear yard.

On the second floor of the Ash, a bridge-style hallway gazes down into the living room and foyer below. The loft next to the stairs can be converted into a third bedroom, or used as a computer center, sitting area or exercise room. The loft and secondary bedroom are located near the hall bath, while the laundry room is located at the top of the stairs.

The Ash's Owner's Suite has a row of windows for plentiful sunshine and is available with a vaulted ceiling. As oversized walk-in closet with window and a private full bath with a tub/shower combination, water closet and linen storage complete the master suite's accommodations.

The Ash also has a full basement, which can easily be finished off to add even more living space, plus a full sized two-car garage. This plan is pre-construction priced in the $340,000s.

Standard interior features of the townhomes at Buckingham Orchard are 9-foot first-floor ceilings (with volume ceilings in select rooms per plan); ceramic tile or oak hardwood entry foyers; classic white painted Colonist six-panel doors and trim with premium hardware; decorator selected wall-to-wall carpeting and designer light fixtures. Decorative architectural niches are also found in select floor plans.

The kitchens highlight custom wood cabinetry and a complete GE appliance package that includes and under-cabinet spacesaver microwave; a self-cleaning gas oven and range; built-in multi-cycle 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 like Kohler or Moen. Each master bath features an available dual bowl vanity, walk-in shower and separate soaking tub.

The townhomes at Buckingham Orchard also come standard with central air conditioning; a 50-gallon hot water heater; gas forced-air heating; high R-value whole house insulation; insulated steel garage and front entry doors; insulated single-hung windows plus maintenance-free aluminum gutters, downspouts, soffit and fascia.

Convenience touches include prewiring for three Category 5 telephone/broadband internet connections and three cable TV / broadband internet outlets; ventilated wire closet shelving and laundry closet hook-ups for a full sized washer and gas dryer.

"We also provide a wide variety of options that townhome buyers may not expect to find, such as deluxe trim packages in oak or pine; poplar or oak stair rails; a wide choice of flooring options including ceramic tile and hardwood; Corian or solid surface kitchen counters and bath vanities, plus fireplaces in a variety of locations," said Coleman. "We also offer a home theater option with built-in surround sound speakers in the Birch floor plan at Buckingham Orchard."

Buckingham Orchard is located in Lombard, near old Route 53 and North Avenue. The sales center is located in the Dearborn-Buckingham Group's recently sold out Buckingham Meadows neighborhood. To visit, take Interstate 355 to North Avenue east to Old Route 53 south approximately a half mile to Pleasant Lane, west to the sales center. The sales center is open from noon to 5 p.m. Friday through Tuesday; closed Wednesday and Thursday. Call (630) 261-9404.