Local News
Flexible Plans Offer Variety of Structural Options to Customize Townhome Living at Kensington Homes’ North Grove Crossings in Sycamore and Yorkshire Square in Aurora
Think the flexibility to make structural changes is an advantage offered only to buyers of custom single-family homes? Not so with the townhomes offered by Kensington Homes in popular communities like North Grove Crossings in Sycamore and Yorkshire Square in Aurora.
“Kensington’s flexibility can be traced back to our roots as a custom home builder, where we learned about the strong desire of home buyers to stamp their own personalities on their homes in both decorative and practical ways,” said Scott Pjesky, chief operating officer of Kensington Homes, “Through the years, we have continued this tradition of offering a variety of options in our semi-custom single-family homes and we believe it is just as important for townhome buyers to have this opportunity when planning their new homes.”
Two Kensington Homes’ communities in different geographic areas share the same benefits for buyers seeking the carefree lifestyle with freedom from exterior maintenance.
North Grove Crossings, at Route 23 and Peace Road, is situated in a country setting of fine homes, with easy access to the booming services along the Route 23 corridor north from Int. Hwy. 88 and DeKalb. North Grove Crossings includes 110 townhomes in The Townes, priced from $175,490 to $186,490, as well as The Reserve, 164 single-family homes priced from the $270,000s. Models are available for viewing.
The elegant tone for the upscale community is set by the limestone and wrought-iron entry monument, curving streets and sidewalks as well as a six-acre park with a pond, picnic shelter and playground.
The Townes include three two-story plans ranging from 1,463 to1,762 square feet, with two or optional three bedrooms, lofts, bonus rooms, 2 ½ baths, full basements and two-car attached garages.
“Buyers are delighted with the choices that are available when purchasing these already beautiful floor plans,” said Cheryl Bonk, vice president of sales and marketing. “For example, the affordable Auburn design, with two bedrooms and a loft, can be expanded to a three bedroom plan and have an expanded master bedroom with a huge walk-in closet that is truly spectacular for a townhome plan. The Baybrook can be modified to have a bonus room added above the garage which can become a third bedroom, fitness center or home theater.
“The Chesapeake can have a third bedroom in lieu of the loft and a breakfast nook box bay window adds an extra two feet to this inviting area. And, of course, accents such as fireplaces, volume ceilings, niches and a variety of other deluxe upgrades can really turn these townhomes into luxurious, comfortable residences that can be enjoyed for many years,” she said.
Yorkshire Square in Aurora offers an innovative variation on attached home living, with its 206 urban-style rowhomes in a lavishly landscaped neighborhood setting centering on a five-acre park. Base prices range from $245,990 to $249,990, and two model homes are open for viewing.
The charming community offers a park-like setting within a convenient urban area. It is distinctive for its boulevard entry and upscale convenience retail area. Walking trails wind through, and provide scenic views of mature trees and wetlands that border the community. The spacious park features a lake, pond, gazebo and a pavilion.
“Because of its proximity to the extensive amenities and commuter train service in the Route 59 area around the Westfield Fox Valley Shoppingtown Mall, Yorkshire Square has special appeal for professionals who appreciate urban design and convenience in the suburbs,” Bonk said. “The rowhomes themselves offer such creative flexibility in choosing structural options.”
Distinctive rowhome exteriors feature covered porches, rooflines with gables and dormers and color-coordinated vinyl siding with aluminum soffits and fascia.
The 1,702-square-foot floor plans include large great rooms with optional fireplaces; kitchens with pantries and breakfast rooms; rear cedar decks overlooking landscaped courtyards; second-floor master bedrooms with large walk-in closets with windows and private access to compartmented baths; and two bedrooms and a loft. Lower level garden basements include storage rooms, large utility rooms and two-car garages.
The Windsor features a breakfast room in the rear opening to a deck, while the Talbot offers the great room in the rear for ease of indoor/outdoor entertaining. The kitchen and breakfast nook are in the front of the Talbot, with a pass-through to the great room, a serving peninsula and breakfast bar.
“In addition to the floor plans offered, each home can be adapted in other ways,” Bonk said. “While the basic floor plans offer two bedrooms and a loft with one bath, buyers may choose three bedrooms and two baths, or dual master suites with two baths. The English basement space can be converted to a study or home theater, or left unfinished as storage. And, in addition to these design changes, a wide variety of personalizing options are available.
“First-time home buyers and other home shoppers who may have a limited idea of what townhome living can be should make a visit to these communities. We have an attractive selection of ‘Ready & Waiting’ homes for those who wish to move quickly and attractive financing programs are available through our preferred lenders. This is the ideal time to buy.”
A family-owned company, Kensington Homes was founded in 1993 with a “Simply Better” philosophy of creating lifestyle communities and providing a superior home building experience at an outstanding value. Father and son, Steve and Scott Pjesky, together with the Kensington Homes team, have forged a tradition of excellence and innovation resulting in Gold Key Awards for excellence in housing design, and the Nationals 2003 regional award for marketing excellence. Kensington Homes was recently named to Professional Builder Magazine’s “101 Best Companies to Work For” in the nation for the third year in a row.
North Grove Crossings is located at Route 23 and Peace/Plank Road, about five miles north of I-88. Sales center hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday; noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday; and closed on Wednesday and Thursday. For more information, please call (815) 899-3151. Also visit other exciting Kensington Homes communities on mykensingtonhome.com.
To visit the Yorkshire Square sales center, take I-88 west to Route 59, south to New York Street, west just past Frontenac. The sales center is open daily 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. and is closed on Wednesday and Thursday. Please call Yorkshire Square at (630) 585-7650 or visit on-line at mykensingtonhome.com.
