After landing a job that required more commuting into Chicago, Erin Fiegel decided it was time to move from Aurora to a suburb closer to the city. She found an ideal location just minutes from Interstate 290—The Enclave at Mill Creek. The community of low-maintenance new homes is being developed by Meritus Homes at the intersection of Army Trail Boulevard and North Mill Street in central DuPage County.

Erin had been considering a move for about a year and researching in earnest for about three or four months when she came across The Enclave at Mill Creek. Browsing the typical real estate listing websites, she narrowed her scope with the help of a friend who had moved to Addison a few years earlier.

“One of Meritus Homes’ Quick Move-In Homes at The Enclave at Mill Creek popped up in a search and it had everything I wanted, in particular a great location,” she said. “So I visited the community, walked through the home, and toured the model. The rest is history.”

Prior to purchasing, Erin also looked at existing houses in the western suburbs, including recently renovated ones in mature neighborhoods and houses that she could rehab herself. Ultimately, the fact that The Enclave at Mill Creek offered new construction in the area she sought tipped the scales.

“It’s rare to be able to get the location you want and the option to build new,” she said.

Erin chose a Waterleaf ranch, which has 2,154 square feet of space, three bedrooms, two baths, and an attached two-car garage.

“The main living area is comparable to what I had in my townhome,” she said. “But the space is configured differently. The open layout where the great room, living room, dining room, and kitchen all flow together is well thought out and functional for both everyday living and entertaining.”

A large center island and walk-in pantry are highlights of the kitchen while Erin added a fireplace in the great room to create a focal point. Also on the main level is a flex room that can serve as a hobby nook, library or den, depending on the homeowner’s lifestyle. The first-floor master suite with its private bath and walk-in closet is a relaxing place to unwind. Two additional bedrooms, a full bath, and laundry room complete the first floor.

One of the most exciting things about finding new construction in a mature area is that homebuyers don’t have to compromise and settle for someone else’s tastes or décor, like they would with a resale house. Instead, they can pick from a wide array of selections, finishes and options to match their personality. And Erin did just that adding a few upgrades to her Waterleaf such as the gourmet kitchen. Her homesite also accommodates a lookout basement, which she upgraded to a deep pour basement with the thought of finishing the lower level in the future.

The Waterleaf is one of four designs Meritus Homes is offering at The Enclave at Mill Creek. Ranch plans have 1,603 to 2,154 square feet of living space; two, three or four bedrooms; and two full baths for base prices that range from $394,900 to $443,900. Second-story options add 866 to 1,090 more square feet of living space, one or two bedrooms or a loft, and another bath on the upper level. This brings the square footage up to 2,620 to 3,077 with base prices that range from $472,900 to $493,600.

When complete, The Enclave at Mill Creek will feature a total of 87 homes. A few remain in Phase I and sales now are underway for Phase II.

Erin’s home is in Phase II, which is set back over a bridge and adjacent to open space and trees—an unusual find for an established suburb. Overall, the property boasts abundant green space, including Westwood Creek, three ponds and a scenic sitting area. More than two thirds of the homes back up to nature.

“Usually, if you want open space around your home you have to move farther away from the city,” she said. “So to have this pocket where I have views of the neighboring woodlands and wetlands is rare.”

Another factor swaying Erin’s decision to choose The Enclave at Mill Creek was the low maintenance lifestyle. With career and free time competing for her attention, she is happy to not have to worry about shoveling snow or doing yard work. The homeowners’ association will perform all lawn care for her homesite as well as maintain common area landscaping and even handle snow removal on her driveway. Coming from a maintenance-free townhome, Erin was accustomed to this more carefree lifestyle.

This is Erin’s first time building a new home, though she is familiar with the construction industry working in the marketing department of a commercial general contractor. She felt the process went very smoothly with everyone at Meritus Homes being transparent throughout the entire construction cycle.

“Not only did they walk me through every step, they have been incredibly pleasant and responsive, as well,” she said. “They have made what many claim to be a stressful ordeal an exciting experience.”

She is impressed that the homes at The Enclave at Mill Creek are built to the exacting standards that signify a Meritus home. For example, interiors have nine-foot first-floor ceilings, decorative touches such as rounded drywall corners and brushed nickel finishes, central air conditioning, and full basements.

Exteriors are designed to complement home styles in the surrounding neighborhoods with traditional architectural details such as brick or optional stone accents, gables and ornamental trim that create interesting rooflines, and windows and classic embellishments on garage doors. Covered entries provide shelter from inclement weather. Front, side and rear yards are fully sodded plus a landscaping package is included with each new home to give it instant curb appeal.

The Enclave at Mill Creek is just north of Army Trail Boulevard and west of North Mill Road in Addison. The community’s entrance is on the north side of Army Trail Boulevard at Links Drive and the sales office is located at 758 Fairway Drive. (Enter 601 Army Trail Boulevard into GPS system to find the site.)

Two decorated models are open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

For more information on The Enclave at Mill Creek, call (331) 225-3646 or visit www.MeritusHomebuilders.com.

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Just the right size. That’s how Ken and Sandy Siok described the Marigold at The Enclave at Mill Creek. The community of low-maintenance new homes is being developed by Meritus Homes at the intersection of Army Trail Boulevard and North Mill Street in an established area of central DuPage County.

A comfortable ranch with 1,754 square feet, the Marigold has everything the couple wanted—an open concept layout, single-level living, and it’s detached. Sandy loves the kitchen with its abundant cabinets, big center island, full suite of stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, and elegant touches. She also likes how it flows into the dining room and family room. This modern design allows for flexibility for everyday living and entertaining.

“It just feels like that’s the way a home is supposed to be,” said Sandy, noting that they toured other models at The Enclave at Mill Creek but always came back to the Marigold.

In all, Meritus Homes is offering four designs at The Enclave at Mill Creek. Ranch plans have 1,603 to 2,154 square feet of living space; two, three or four bedrooms; and two full baths for base prices that range from $394,900 to $443,900. Second-story options add 866 to 1,090 more square feet of living space, one or two bedrooms or a loft, and another bath on the upper level. This brings the square footage up to 2,620 to 3,077 with base prices that range from $472,900 to $493,600.

Empty nesters, the Sioks like the luxury master suite with his and her closets plus a private bath—a feature their old house did not provide. And for when family comes to visit, the second bedroom and adjacent full bath are on the other side of the home. The space can be used as a library, office or den, as well.

“This is our first newly built home and we were excited to pick out our finishes and add our own personality,” said Ken. The Marigold was exactly what Ken and Sandy desired yet they still added many upgrades in an effort to duplicate the look of the model, which they absolutely adored. They also invested in several options that were not cosmetic but structural, like a front porch elevation and deep pour basement.

“It’s a blank slate to work with,” said Ken of the basement, which he plans to finish at a later date so the grandchildren have their own play space. “And thanks to the taller ceiling, it won’t feel like a basement when done. Our goal is to create a family room with big screen TV, bar, pool table, and play area.”

The couple also chose a premium homesite on a cul-de-sac in Phase II of The Enclave at Mill Creek even though it meant waiting a little longer to move. Overall, the property boasts abundant green space…including Westwood Creek, three ponds and a scenic sitting area…with more than two thirds of the ranch-style homes backing to natural and open areas. Phase II is tucked back over the bridge and their site abuts open space so it has the privacy they were accustomed to coming from a large yard of nearly an acre. Unlike at their old house, The Enclave at Mill Creek’s homeowners’ association will perform all lawn care for their homesite as well as maintain common area landscaping and even handle snow removal on driveways.

“With fewer outdoor chores, we’ll have more time to spend with the grandchildren,” said Ken. After all, the move to The Enclave at Mill Creek was to be near family, specifically the couple’s three children—a daughter in Glen Ellyn and two sons in Elmhurst.

“It’s a smart idea to get closer to our nine grandchildren because Sandy helps out on a regular basis,” said Ken, noting that the couple is relocating from Arlington Heights where they had lived for more than 30 years.

“It was a big decision because we’ve been in the northwest suburbs and Cook County for the entire 44 years we’ve been married,” he continued. “Now, at The Enclave, we’re less than 10 minutes from our daughter and 15 minutes from our boys.”

Plus, being within minutes of Interstates 355 and 290 as well as Ill. Hwy. 83/Kingery Highway makes it an easy drive to work for Ken who is an insurance agent.
Still learning about the area and DuPage County, Ken and Sandy have been impressed with all the local amenities they have found—like restaurants, forest preserves, recreational opportunities, entertainment, and everyday conveniences. Plus, shopping at Oak Brook Center, Yorktown Center and Woodfield Mall are all about the same distance away.

The Sioks had been looking for about six months when they finally took the plunge at The Enclave at Mill Creek. Sandy and her daughter, however, had identified the community nearly two years earlier—before any foundations were even in the ground.

“Once the homes started to be built, we were very impressed,” she said. Exteriors have classic elements such as brick and stone accents, and some have covered entries or front porches to provide shelter from inclement weather. Front, side and rear yards are fully sodded plus a landscaping package is included with each new home to give it instant curb appeal.

“Then we walked into the model and were sold, even though new construction was not originally the plan,” she continued.

“The people at Meritus Homes are great to work with,” said Ken. “They made the process stress-free since we had not done this before. They were patient when guiding us with selections so we never felt overwhelmed. Everyone has been professional, cooperative and engaging. It’s been a very positive experience.”

Even so, Ken felt the need to research things himself. He spent time talking to homeowners who already lived in Phase I at The Enclave at Mill Creek and received nothing but 100 percent positive responses.

“It’s been really fun to see the neighborhood start to take shape,” he said.

When complete, The Enclave at Mill Creek will feature a total of 87 homes. A few remain in Phase I and sales now are underway for Phase II.

Two decorated models are open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. The sales office is located at 758 Fairway Drive, just north of Army Trail Boulevard and west of North Mill Road in Addison. The community’s entrance is on the north side of Army Trail Boulevard at Links Drive. (Enter 601 Army Trail Boulevard into GPS system to find the site.)

Read the original article HERE