Sun Publications, New Homes section
April 23, 2004

Hobson Villas gives residents perfect lifestyle

After a long wait, the perfect set of circumstances has combined for Naperville residents Jeanne and Wayne Marquardt to become homeowners at Hobson Villas.

Located at 75th Street and Wehrli Road in Naperville, Hobson Villas is being developed for active adults 55 and older by Kensington Homes. The community is the answer for the Marquardts, who like many Villas buyers want to streamline their lifestyle yet stay in the acclaimed suburb.

"We first became aware of Kensington Homes when we saw the Village at Stonebridge in the golf course community on the east side of Aurora," said Wayne, a real estate broker. "We were very impressed with the quality of Kensington's homes, but at the time our two girls were still at home with us and we really weren't ready to downsize. Regretfully, we passed on that opportunity but we have kept informed about Kensington Homes communities and kept in touch with the Kensington staff."

"When Hobson Villas was announced, we were delighted that our favorite builder was offering homes in Naperville with freedom from exterior maintenance. We added our names to the interest list, and were among the earliest buyers."

The 42 luxury Villas are attached in sets of two, and half of them are already sold. They include first-floor master bedrooms, full basements and two-car garages.

"We were able to choose a beautiful location on a cul-de-sac overlooking mature trees and lavish landscaping being added by Kensington Homes," Jeanne said.

"We're so delighted with the views that we opted to put a screened-in porch on our home for maximum enjoyment of our yard."

The Marquardts selected the Ashton ranch design, a home with approximately 1,706 square feet of space, two bedrooms with baths, great room, formal dining room, kitchen with island, full basement and two-car garage.

"With the homes attached in sets of two, each home has an end location and plenty of windows," Jeanne said. "Our home has 12-foot or vaulted ceilings throughout, and with the large windows, it has a wonderful airy atmosphere. And, so many luxurious features are included in the homes that we didn't need to add too many options. In addition to the screened-in porch, we added some glass doors to the beautiful standard 42-inch kitchen cabinets, and we removed the half wall between the great room and the dining room and added archways to define our spaces."

"The floor plan is so open that it gives us plenty of flexibility to expand seating and dining space when we entertain and when our daughters and their families come to visit. We also were pleased that the basement is included, because we intend to finish the space and we're having a bathroom roughed-in for the future," she said.

Wayne is an experienced real estate broker who visits hundreds of homes each year and is well versed in quality construction and amenities.

"Hobson Villas are built with custom quality inside and out," Wayne said. "The exterior cedar and stone accents are beautiful, as are the architectural copper standing roofs. Landscaping is abundant with large trees and shrubs. The community is well arranged with a low density and upscale curb appeal."

"Inside, the homes have trim packages with four-inch deep moldings, two-panel doors, granite countertops in the kitchens and European height vanities in bathrooms, security systems and sprinklers," he said. "And, these are just some of the features that project a luxurious atmosphere and custom quality."

The Marquardts are not due to move into their home until May but already they feel comfortable in the community.

"We are receiving great service from the Kensington staff and consider them friends," Wayne said. "We recently attended a cocktail party hosted by Kensington Homes for Hobson Villas buyers and prospective buyers, and we met a congenial group of people, many of whom are also Naperville residents. We are really looking forward to moving in and enjoying an exciting but more leisurely lifestyle in our villa."

Four floor plans are offered at Hobson Villas, three of which have additional living space on the second floor. The homes range in size from 1,706 to 2,937 square feet with first-floor master suites. Buyers may customize the homes in a variety of ways by choosing a study instead of a living room, a home office rather than a dining room or a bedroom instead of a loft. An array of options is available at the Kensington Homes Design Studio. Prices including standard luxury features begin from the mid-$400,000s, and a model home is under construction.

The Hobson Villas include many custom-influenced amenities. They include volume first-floor ceilings; upgraded 4-inch wide trim moldings and arched two-panel doors; hardwood floors in First-floor living areas; carpeting in bedrooms and second-floor areas; stone fireplace surrounds with ledgestone hearths plus television niches and media centers; Pella clad windows; 90-percent efficient heating and 12-seer cooling plus air cleaner; home security system; and other environmentally-friendly features.

Kitchens feature natural stone granite countertops, richly detailed 42-inch cabinets, hardwood floors, cast-iron sinks and faucets with pull-out sprays, soap dispensers, disposals, ice water lines and premium GE stainless-steel built-in appliances including a double oven, cook-top, microwave and dishwasher.

Baths boast stone look ceramic tile floors and walls in tub and shower areas, oversized Kohler whirlpool tubs, European height vanities with designer faucets and marble tops, with pedestal sinks in powder rooms.

Exteriors boast architectural shingles; French Country-influenced stone and brick masonry designs; decorator integral sculpted muntins per plan; designer stone and cedar exterior columns at front entries; siding above the brick and maintenance-free soffits, fascia and corner boards. The homes include paver patios or decks, sprinkler systems, and a landscape design with plants that include large parkway trees and fully sodded homesites.

Founded in 1993, Kensington Homes is a family-owned company, has earned multiple Gold Key Awards for excellence in housing design and the National 2003 regional award for marketing excellence. Kensington Homes was previously named to Professional Builder Magazine's "101 Best Companies to work for" in the nation for a second year in a row.

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