When developer Tom McGrath left the healthcare industry to “follow his bliss,” he had one goal: He wanted to build quality homes in Chicago while leaving as small an environmental footprint as possible.
That’s just what developer McGrath is doing with a building renovation in Chicago’s Bucktown neighborhood.
McGrath’s goal is that the project, located at 1610 N. Honore St., becomes the first speculative-built Chicago home to earn LEED Platinum status from the U.S. Green Building Council.
“I’m a new developer, and I know I chose the worst time to enter the real …

Last January, while many developers were taking a wait and see approach to the spring condo market in downtown Chicago, brokerage firms Belgravia Realty Group LLC and @properties instituted an aggressive sales and marketing program to sell the remaining homes at 565 West Quincy in the West Loop.
Nine months and 120 sales later, 565 West Quincy is far and away Chicago’s best selling condominium development of 2010. Today, less than 40 of the 241 units remain, and Belgravia and @properties anticipate selling out the building by spring 2011.
565 West Quincy …

$5,795,000 Co-op commission 2.25% 1st M, 1.75% 2nd M, 1% on balance
Situated on 3.4 acres in Lake Forest, this recently renovated 1929 English country estate was built by architect Edwin Hill Clark. The five-bedroom home features a kitchen designed by Christopher Peacock and outfitted with Sub-Zero and Miele appliances, a great room with Cathedral ceilings and a stone fireplace, a library with built-in cabinetry and a bay window and a sunroom with limestone-arched windows and access to a terrace. Outdoor amenities include a tennis court and patio.
For more information, contact …

$675,000 Co-op Commission 2.5% -$150
This three-bedroom, two-bathroom penthouse is located in a four-story building with an elevator. The kitchen features Aiko cabinets by Arclinea, built-in Sub-Zero refrigerator with dual drawers, Miele oven, stainless steel dishwasher and granite countertops. The master bathroom includes a Jacuzzi whirlpool tub as well as a Terrazzo shower with bench. A finished terrace is located on the rooftop with skyline views accessible from unit. Other features include in-unit laundry, four-car parking, two indoor heated garage spaces and one tandem outdoor space.
For more information, call Michael Bauknecht …

Ravenswood – $949,000
Co-op commission 2.5%
This four-bedroom, three-and-one-half-bathroom single-family home is located in historic East Ravenswood. The home features a blend of contemporary and traditional architecture, and is placed on an oversized 33-by-165-foot lot. The renovated gourmet kitchen has granite countertops, brushed stainless steel appliances, a bi-level island with informal seating, fireplace, dry bar and space for a table. There are hardwood floors throughout and floor-to-ceiling windows. The master suite features vaulted ceilings, a large deck overlooking the yard, a two-sided fireplace and a large walk-in closet with built-in organizers. There …

Carpentersville – $864,000
Co-op commission 2.5%-$150
This 5,700-square-foot contemporary home has four bedrooms and four and one-half bathrooms. The eat-in kitchen has stainless steel appliances, a Bosch dishwasher, Sub-Zero refrigerator, a Viking six-burner cooktop and a Fisher & Paykel double oven. There is also a large center island, recessed lighting and nine-foot ceilings. Upstairs, on one end of the home there are two bedrooms with a “Jack & Jill” bathroom in between, and on the other end is a teen or guest suite with a full private bathroom and a walk-in closet. …

Portage Park – $199,990
Co-op commission – 2.5%
This two-bedroom condo located on the second floor has been updated inside of a vintage building. The kitchen has 42-inch maple cabinets, granite countertops and ceramic tile. The refurbished bathroom has a Kohler deep soaking tub and there are hardwood floors throughout. There is a sunroom and an outdoor deck off of the kitchen. The home has central air conditioning and a storage locker in the basement. There is free laundry and easy street parking. The location is …

River North – $1,899,000
This penthouse unit is located inside Contemporaine, an American Institute of Architect award-winning building. The southeast corner penthouse unit has floor-to-ceiling windows and wraparound terraces. Views of the city can be seen from the 20-foot atrium. This former model features Bulthap dark wood cabinetry, as well as Sub-Zero and Miele appliances. The expansive master suite has a spa-style bath, and there are custom interior wall coverings throughout. This boutique elevator building has a private code to access the 11th floor, the location of the penthouse.

Co-op commission: 2.5% – $100
This 2,800-square-foot, three-bedroom, two-and-one-half-bathroom custom home is located in the Longbow Creek subdivision in Lockport. The home has a 23-by-12-foot sitting room off the master bedroom and a 14-by-13-foot bonus room with a separate entrance on the main floor. The great room has soaring ceilings with natural light and neutral colors throughout. The home also has a large basement, a handcrafted fireplace and a two-and-one-half-car garage. The tree-lined street is minutes away from the Heritage Corridor Metra Commuter Train, I-355 extension, shopping, parks and award-winning schools. …

Lakeview – $2,449,000
3741 N. Lakewood has a restored 110-year-old greystone façade, with all-new construction inside. The five-bedroom, four-and-one-half-bathroom home has a custom handcrafted grand entry staircase, gourmet kitchen with pro-series Euro-style appliances, master suite with Paloma Picasso grass-cloth walls, master bedroom with custom mosaics, Perin/Rowe/Rohl antique hardware and a roof deck with sound and Bill Blass lighting.
The single-family home designed and built by Trianon Development is located in the Blaine School District. The 5,500-square-foot home has three-quarter-inch white oak flooring, 8-foot …