Condo owners find allure in mid-rise buildings

Through the decades, stars ranging from Audrey Hepburn to Woody Allen to Jerry Seinfeld have become famous for portraying the glamour of living in the city. Hollywood seems to love urban life.

Many condo buyers must feel the same, judging from the numbers of buyers who seek urban-style living while remaining within the suburbs.

Two condo developments in Oak Lawn offer big-city advantages. For starters, there is the civilized pleasure of short jaunts for shopping instead of long hauls in a car. Add in the advantage of easy access to downtown Chicago, plus nice mid-rise views overlooking the city scene. In all, these condo owners find a winning, and sophisticated, way of life.

New owners in the Foxwoods Condominiums quickly see the convenience of downtown-style living.

"Our ideal Oak Lawn location also plays an important role for these buyers at Foxwoods," said Mary Doody, Foxwoods sales representative. "We are just minutes from the Chicago Ridge Mall and the Rock Island and Norfolk & Western commuter stations. Foxwoods is nestled in an upscale residential neighborhood of luxurious single family and exceptional maintenance-free housing."

Foxwoods, where every condominium is a light-filled corner unit, offers distinctive floor plans. The free-flowing plans include two bedrooms (one a luxurious master suite), plenty of closets, two full baths, large living room, formal dining room and oversize kitchen equipped with major appliances.

Units also come with large private balcony with extra storage area, in-unit laundry room, central air-conditioning and much more. Indoor parking areas or separate enclosed garages are available. The units are priced from the low $200,000s.

These stately five-story elevator buildings offer extraordinary top-floor units with outstanding views of Chicago's famous skyline. These premium units offer soaring cathedral ceilings and an optional fireplace.

Today's sophisticated buyers are looking for something more than run-of-the-mill condominium designs. These buyers want unique floor plans, an ideal location and outstanding value. At Foxwoods, the high quality construction, exceptional floor plans and an ideal Oak Lawn location satisfy the needs and desires of today's most discriminating buyers. Add affordability and it's easy to understand why buyers are choosing the Foxwoods condominiums for their new homes.

If you are a seasoned homebuyer, who understands a great value, or a young professional first-time buyer looking to building up equity instead of rent receipts, then a visit to the ideally located Foxwoods Elevator Condominium community has exactly what you have been looking for.

To begin a carefree, virtually maintenance-free lifestyle, visit Foxwoods and tour the professionally decorated model. The model/information center is at 5500 W. 115th Street (enter at northeast corner of 115th Street and Central Avenue). The model is open daily from 10 to 5 p.m., on Sundays, noon to 5 p.m. and Wednesdays and Thursdays by appointment. For more information, call (708) 396-8678, or visit the website at www.DremcoHomes.com.

First-time homebuyers are a major driver in the home marketplace, and that fact is especially true in the case of condo buyers.

To appeal to this group, as well as young families and empty nesters, Morningside Group has announced the opening of a new model at Prairie Town Center in Oak Lawn. The fully decorated model represents a two-bedroom, two-bath home totaling 1,335 square feet.

Off 95th Street at Cook Avenue, Prairie Town Center draws many kinds of buyers to the city-style living found at the development's central Oak Lawn location. The Metra train station is just a short walk away for easy access to downtown, as are a variety of stores and restaurants.

Homes at Prairie Town Center available for move-in range from $192,900 for a one-bedroom, one-and-a-half bath, to $322,900 for a two-bedroom, two-bath home (prices subject to change without notice). The price includes one heated, indoor parking space and an individual storage locker. Exterior parking is also available.

Most kitchens and baths at Prairie Town Center have granite countertops, and kitchens boast 42-inch upper cabinets. Residents have nine-foot ceilings in all living spaces, per plan; and walk-in closets or dressing rooms in master bedrooms, per plan. All residents enjoy their own private balconies.

Prairie Town Center's first building has been a great success, with more than 80 percent of the initial offerings already sold out. Occupancy began in spring 2008.

Freshline Grocery, Starbucks Coffee, Potbelly Sandwich Works, Citibank, Dunkin Donuts, the Vino Tinto wine bar, Cold Stone Creamery, Al's Beef, Nancy's Pizza and Hollywood Video are within a three-block radius.

Prairie Town Center is a joint venture of Chicago-based builder and developer Morningside Group and Oakbrook Terrace-based Mid-America Development Partners. Morningside Group also served as program manager for the Oak Lawn Transportation Center Redevelopment, consisting of a new Metra station, an 821-space municipal parking structure and retail development.

The Prairie Town Center Information Center is at 5239 W. 95th Street in Oak Lawn. Hours of operation are Monday through Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sundays, noon to 5 p.m. Call 708/857-2900, or visit www.PrairieTownCenter.com. Living urban-style