The Enclave At Mill Creek Offers Low-Maintenance New Homes In DuPage County
Being able to create a home that perfectly suits your lifestyle is one of the main advantages new construction has over resale. That’s exactly why Renzo and Franca Fontana decided to build a brand-new Waterleaf from the ground up at The Enclave at Mill Creek.
The Meritus Homes community, now in Phase II, is an unexpected oasis in the heart of DuPage County. It features 87 low-maintenance homes and abundant green space, including Westwood Creek, three ponds and a scenic sitting spot. The Fontanas’ site is adjacent to a pond and backs up to the creek, giving the family a sense of seclusion and relaxation.
The Waterleaf is one of four ranch plans that offer 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 $413,400 to $457,400. 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 $496,925 to $520,650.
“The Waterleaf has everything we want and need,” said Renzo. In addition to an open layout, the secondary bedrooms and full bath are separated from the owner’s suite in the 2,154-square-foot ranch. This is the ideal setup for Renzo and Franca, whose son Michael also lives in the home. The family is using the third bedroom as a study where Michael can go to watch television or get on his iPad. Additionally, wide hallways make it easy for Michael to maneuver his wheelchair.
“What was most important to us was that Meritus Homes was willing to make semicustom changes to accommodate Michael’s wheelchair,” said Renzo. For example, they built a ramp in the garage, enlarged the doors to Michael’s bedroom and bath, and expanded and added a seat to his shower. “Everyone at Meritus Homes was extremely helpful and responsive. The entire home buying and building process went remarkably smoothly.”
The Waterleaf’s open-concept layout also is perfect for entertaining.
“We had our first big family gathering recently and the open floor plan made everyone feel comfortable,” said Franca. She added that the high ceilings in the family room make the space live larger and expansive windows along with white cabinets make the kitchen feel light and bright. The basement is huge, too, and offers plenty of storage and play space for the couple’s grandchildren.
“We were at a stage in life where a ranch was appealing,” Renzo explained. “It was becoming more difficult to get Michael and his wheelchair up and down the stairs so single-level living was at the top of our new-home wish list.”
The couple also wanted to be closer to their grandchildren in Elmhurst. After living in their two-story Fox River Grove home for more than 30 years, they were ready to leave behind the yard work, pool and deck upkeep—and stairs—in favor of a more carefree lifestyle.
“We had planned on moving once we were both retired, but the pandemic caused Franca to be laid off from her job,” said Renzo. “After casually looking for a house for about a year, this gave us the push to do it now.”
While the couple did much of their home searching online, the sales center at The Enclave at Mill Creek was open so they were able to come out and tour the models. They signed a contract in April and closed on their new home in October…a few weeks ahead of schedule.
Coming from McHenry County, Renzo and Franca are impressed with all that DuPage County has to offer. Nearby are numerous restaurants, shopping centers and entertainment opportunities along with forest preserves. DuPage County has very good special needs programs, as well. Living at The Enclave at Mill Creek means that Interstates 355 and 290 plus Ill. Hwy. 83/Kingery Highway are all just minutes away, making travel around the suburbs, and even into the city, convenient and easy.
With so many benefits, it’s no wonder residents are moving to the community from towns as far away as South Barrington, Palatine, Arlington Heights, Schaumburg, and even Chicago.
“The people here are really friendly,” said Renzo. “We’ve mapped out a 3-1/2-mile path through the neighborhood where Franca and I walk and Michael rides his recumbent bike on a regular basis. Everyone who sees us out and about waves and says hi. It’s a warm sense of community here.”
The Fontanas have more time to spend enjoying outdoor activities thanks to the low-maintenance lifestyle at The Enclave at Mill Creek. For a monthly fee, the homeowners’ association handles lawn care for all homesites as well as maintains common area landscaping. Front, side and rear yards come fully sodded plus a landscaping package is included with each new home to give it instant curb appeal.
To complement the established character of DuPage County, exteriors have classic architectural styling and decorative elements such as brick and stone accents, and some homes have covered entries or front porches. Interiors have nine-foot first-floor ceilings, Colonist doors, decorative touches such as rounded drywall corners and brushed nickel finishes, central air conditioning, and full basements as standard features.
All homes at The Enclave at Mill Creek are built to the exacting standards that signify a Meritus home. This includes Tyvek® house wrap, ice and water shield protection for the roof, a damp-proofed foundation, 40-gallon high-efficiency water heater, R-21 wall and R-49 ceiling insulation, and 2-by-6 exterior wall construction.
Two decorated models are open at The Enclave at Mill Creek from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
The community’s entrance is on the north side of Army Trail Boulevard at Links Drive and the sales office is at 758 Fairway Drive in Addison. (Enter 601 Army Trail Boulevard into GPS system to find the site.)
For more information, call (331) 225-3646 or visit www.MeritusHomebuilders.com.
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