As a recognized leader in the realization of trends that truly benefit the homebuyer, Residential Homes of America (RHA) has created a TOD in north suburban Grayslake that embodies the spirit and function of this new concept linking where someone lives to how they get to work.  Living at RHA’s Alleghany Trail at Village Station townhome community means a quick walk to the Lake Street Metra station for fast trips to downtown Chicago or other suburbs.  RHA is selling the final phase of 72 luxury courtyard style townhomes at Alleghany Trail, priced from the low $200s, with decorated models open for tours daily. 

“Buying a new home is the biggest investment of most people’s lives and it’s more than just getting a high quality, beautifully appointed home.  Where someone lives and how convenient or accessible the home is to public transportation, shopping and services has become extremely important, especially since we are dealing with record high gas prices with no abatement in sight,” said Ann Danner, president and owner of Residential Homes of America, Inc. (RHA).  “In designing Alleghany Trail at Village Station, we wanted to create a transit oriented development that would allow residents to save money on their commute, allow them an easy way to take mass transit and also to lessen the community’s impact on the environment.  All of these factors are reality at this neighborhood.”

Transit oriented developments fall into the category of ‘new urbanism’ and ‘smart growth.’  According to the popular on-line encyclopedia Wikipedia.org, “a transit-oriented development is a mixed-use residential or commercial area designed to maximize access to public transport often incorporating features to encourage transit

ridership.  A TOD neighborhood typically has a center with a train station…with progressively lower-density development spreading outwards from the center.  TODs generally are located within a radius of one-quarter to one-half mile from a transit stop, as this is considered to be an appropriate scale for pedestrians.”

Anyone visiting Alleghany Trail will realize this community meets the accepted definition of a TOD and residents who work in downtown Chicago or other suburbs enjoy the daily efficiency and cost-savings of taking the train to work on Metra, one of the nation’s premiere commuter rail systems.  Alleghany Trail is located within walking distance to the Lake Street Metra station in Grayslake, one of two Metra stations that serve the community.

Residents of Alleghany Trail can choose from a variety of departure and arrival times from the Lake Street station, with one-way trips to Chicago’s Union Station running about 75 minutes.  The Lake Street Station serves Metra’s Milwaukee District North line between Chicago and Fox Lake. The station is located on Lake Street south of Route 120.  Taking the train allows commuters valuable working time on their laptops or Blackberry devices or giving them time to catch up on reading, correspondence or personal matters.

“In addition to the many benefits of taking the train to work, from lessening the impact on the environment if hundreds of individuals where to drive, to giving commuters time to decompress without having to pay attention to driving, the cost savings are tremendous.  At a minimum, taking the train will save anywhere from $30 a

week to $100 per week or more, which on a monthly basis adds up to considerable savings,” Danner said.

Another benefit of the new urbanism that Alleghany Trail embodies is the proximity to shopping and dining that this community offers.  Alleghany Trail is within walking distance to Grayslake’s historic shopping district known as the Village Center.  Located in the heart of the village, this area features antique lighting, vintage storefronts and friendly small business owners.

Alleghany Trail also provides outstanding convenience and beauty within the neighborhood itself, with a true maintenance-free lifestyle where lawn care and snow removal are automatically taken care of.

Buyers can choose from four different floor plans at Alleghany Trail, each design a flexible courtyard style townhome sized from 1,471 to 1,944 square feet.  The plans include two to three bedrooms, 2-1/2 baths, lofts, finished lower levels with bonus rooms, private balconies or decks and attached rear-loading two-car garages. 

Two of the layouts are offered as end-unit designs, with one home highlighting two separate master suites, each with its own full bath and walk-in closet.  Prices start in the low $200s, with each floor plan on display as a beautifully decorated and furnished model.

The transition from TOD to a residential neighborhood starts the moment a resident of Alleghany Trail steps off the train and walks back to the entrance of the community.  The landscape features walking trails, a pond plus a two-acre neighborhood

park with gazebo.  There are also 45-acres of park district property adjacent to the community, which has been planned to include sports fields and other attractions.

“The concept of Alleghany Trail as a TOD has been a big success and one that more and more buyers will come to appreciate in the months ahead.  We’re proud to be on the cutting edge of residential development in bringing our customers a community that has the potential to benefit them in a multitude of ways.  I suggest buyers take the train to Grayslake and walk over to Alleghany Trail so they can experience all the convenience and lifestyle this neighborhood has to offer,” said Danner.    

Residential Homes of America, Inc. has been recognized for the highest standards of quality and integrity with the Diamond Builder Designation from the Home Buyers Warranty Corporation for its superior workmanship and spotless claims record.  RHA

is the only homebuilder in Illinois to receive the coveted award which is a one-time only, lifetime award given only to those builders who have demonstrated at least a five-year track record of offering the highest standards of construction, design and customer service in their markets based on strict criteria.

Alleghany Trail at Village Station is located in north suburban Grayslake.  To visit, take I-94 north to Route 120, west to Allegheny Road, then one-half mile south to Station Park Drive.  Follow the signs to the sales center on the east side.  The sales center and models are located at 6 Thomas Court and are open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from Noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday.  Call (847) 231-5200 for more information or visit rhahomes.com.