Homebuilder/Hotel Promotion Lets Buyers Live at Willow Lake in Lake Forest, Ill., Stay at Downtown Chicago Waldorf Astoria

Chicago-area homebuyers seeking a top suburban location without straying too far from the sights and sounds of downtown Chicago can now enjoy the best of both worlds at Willow Lake, a community of 52 semi-attached luxury residences in Lake Forest, thanks to a new incentive offered by Northbrook-based Red Seal Homes.

The promotion, a partnership with the Waldorf Astoria Chicago, gives buyers four two-night weekend stays per year* at the premier Gold Coast hotel during their first two years of homeownership at Willow Lake.

“While our buyers have already decided a Lake Forest address is the right fit for their day-to-day lives, many have a lifestyle where they are frequently downtown attending social or work functions, spending time with their adult children who live in the city, or simply taking advantage of Chicago’s many cultural and entertainment offerings,” said Brian Hoffman, an executive with Red Seal Homes. “For those who really enjoy the city but don’t want to live there full-time, this promotion is a fun way to give them a bit of downtown luxury and the experience of having an ‘in-town’ residence as a complement to their home at Willow Lake.”

Hoffman noted that these same buyers also appreciate the convenient maintenance-free lifestyle of the luxury semi-attached homes at Willow Lake. “Maintenance-free living has extremely broad appeal among today’s buyers, particularly in a sought-after area like Lake Forest,” he said. “We see a number of move-down buyers who raised their family in the area and want to remain close to friends and family who live nearby. A low-maintenance home gives them the flexibility they want at this stage of life, making it easy to travel or spend a couple days in the city without worrying about whether yard work is taken care of or, during the winter months, whether sidewalks have been shoveled.”

The appeal of maintenance-free living is not limited to downsizers and empty nesters, Hoffman added. “We have many busy professionals who simply don’t want to spend their free time on upkeep,” he said. “Similarly, families whose weekends are already booked solid with their kids’ extracurricular activities appreciate having one less thing on their to-do list – all while enjoying the space and finishes of a high-end single-family home.”

In order to appeal to a variety of buyers drawn to Willow Lake’s desirable location and lifestyle amenities, the community offers seven floor plans measuring from 2,491 to 4,338 square feet. Homes feature two to four bedrooms, 2½ to 3½ baths, attached two-car garages and full, unfinished basements. Buyers can choose from a ranch plan, master-down design or traditional two-story layout, with prices starting at $800,000.

“In a well-established suburb like Lake Forest, the market inventory includes a lot of older resale homes, many of which require substantial updates,” said Hoffman. “Yet even after a renovation, it can be hard to replicate the experience of living in a newly constructed home. Buyers at Willow Lake not only enjoy the latest trends in design – everything from open first-floor layouts to mudrooms, second-floor laundry rooms and loft areas, and en-suite secondary bedrooms – but also have the ability to tailor the home to their personal needs and tastes. This can be done through optional features such as an elevator, screened-in porch or patio, or master suite sitting room.”

Additionally, homes at Willow Lake come complete with an included package of high-end interior finishes, including a gourmet kitchen with granite countertops and built-in stainless steel appliances; fireplace with 12-inch marble tile surround; crown molding in the first-floor living spaces; site-finished oak hardwood flooring throughout the main living areas; porcelain and ceramic tile in the bathrooms, mudroom and laundry room; an oak staircase with oak railing between the first and second floor, per plan; and 9-foot ceilings throughout the home, including the basement. Exterior details include cement board siding with brick or stone accents, cedar shake-shingle roofing, and concrete driveway accented with a paver border.

Residents at Willow Lake enjoy water rights for two on-site lakes in the community, where they can enjoy fishing, kayaking and canoeing. Situated on land that was originally part of an estate belonging to department store mogul Marshall Field, Willow Lake features a natural setting including many of the estate’s original wetlands and mature trees. Willow Lake also connects directly to the adjacent Middlefork Savannah Forest Preserve, which features 640 acres of green space and a network of walking paths, and is across from Conway Farms Golf Club, which hosts the PGA’s BMW Championship (formally known as the Western Open).

The community also offers convenient access to shopping and dining destinations in downtown Lake Forest, less than 3 miles away. In addition, Willow Lake is close to major employment centers and quality schools. The community borders the prestigious Lake Forest Academy and is served by Lake Forest School Districts 67 and 115.

For more information on Willow Lake or to schedule a tour, call Karen Schmid, Willow Lake Sales Manager, at (847) 722-8016 or visit www.rswillowlake.com. The sales center is located at 1771 Westbridge Circle in Lake Forest. To learn more about Red Seal Homes, visit www.redsealhomes.com.

* Waldorf Astoria Chicago reservations are based on availability, and certain black-out dates apply. For details, contact the Willow Lake sales team.

About Red Seal Homes:

Over the last 81 years, Red Seal Homes has built more than 50 residential developments and more than 6,000 residences in the Chicago area. Since its founding in 1934, Red Seal has established itself as one of Chicago’s most acclaimed builders, winning prestigious awards on an annual basis.