Chicago Condo Directory

The West Wind Estates, a single family residence development in Minooka, has opened up two furnished and decorated models to begin preconstruction sales. With more than 20 floor plans to chose from in the complex, five of which include ranch designs, there are options available to suit the needs of families who want or need space to grow. Every unit features three or four bedrooms, from two to 3 1/2 baths, a complete basement, a large formal dining room, a family or great room, and a down-home brick exterior. Truly a great place for a growing (or grown!) family.

Other features that might be available depending on the floorplan and standard amenities include air condition and heating (dual-zone), tray or vaulted ceilings in the master bedroom, sun rooms, dinette, den, and a living room.

Price at the current preconstruction prices range from the upper-$200,000s to the low-$400,000s, surprisingly affordable for a property of this size. Square footages range from 1,760 to 2,900 for ranch layouts and 2,400 to 3,700 for the two-story style. Lots are also available in quarter- to half-acre, mostly in cul-de-sac areas.

If you’re interested in other condos that are in a pre-construction status, check out pre-construction condos in Chicago for a wide variety of listings.

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Prestigiously located at Fifth and Washington, The Fifth Royal Oak designed by Brininstool & Lynch of Chicago, is a beautifully crafted building with a glistening exterior. Near the Skylofts project, which is crafted by Solomon Cordwell Buenz of Chicago and Neumann-Smith of Southfield, the pair make a marvelous and contemporary pairing that enhance the Chicago skyline with a modern look and feel.

If you go north and downtown, you’ll see a different spectacle altogether. New condo buildings in that area tend to resemble a late 17^th century Paris. This kind of architecture seems to be catching on recently. It seems that more often, a Disneyland-like psuedo-historical style is the choice preferred by new home builders, and a good number of buyers.

There are a good number of people who dislike the contemporary styles. A contingent tend to demand columns and gardens and fancy entryways and consider modern buildings an eyesore. To them, shiny new spires “pollute” the skyline, and they’d prefer a faux historical look.

While this sort if look is by no means unappealing, it seems a bit out of place and an odd request in a modern world filled with cell phones and portable computers—or combinations of the two, like the iPhone! With all these modern trappings, it seems a bit unusual that people would demand a living space that looks like it comes from an era emerging from the bubonic plague.

Of course, this sort of situation is hardly new. With the advent of better materials and construction methods, technically better, anyway, many feel that the soul and humanity has been pushed out of dwelling spaces. Some perceive the sharp lines and often dull colors as soulless. Still, it seems odd as “traditional” styles were also centered around the needs and technology of the day, and modern methods are no different.

This has created an unusual architecture style, possibly best described as “Disneyesque”. Much like the theme parks, modern materials and methods are used to create a fake version of buildings that look rather old, despite being new and made out of materials not available at the time the building is supposed to look like it was built in.

While this sort of building might be fine for some, we think the Royal Oak has come up with a great compromise. Rather than emulate old and inefficient spaces and designs, it seeks to have the modern flair and creativity while maintaining a vibrant energy. The towers and spaces are beautiful and livable, without making the neighborhood feel like a theme park.

If you’re interested in moving into a new development, there are some great Chicago Condo listings no matter which style you prefer.

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