Des Plaines - Luxury residences with exceptional views abound at three R. Franczak & Associates’ developments in northwest suburban Palatine and Des Plaines.     

“A handful of available residences and penthouses offer amazing picturesque views of green tree-tops and woodlands with virtually no obstruction from other buildings,” said Katie O’Brien, sales manager for R. Franczak & Associates.  

The Preserve of Palatine includes 94 luxury condominium residences in two architecturally stunning buildings. Residences overlook scenic wooded open spaces as well as a pond.     

“The Preserve of Palatine offers the best of both worlds—a convenient downtown Palatine location and the quiet, wooded area it borders,” said O’Brien.      

The Preserve of Palatine has more than 95-percent occupancy. The remaining condominiums in the 42-unit North Building offer a wide selection of distinctive floor plans. Prices range from $339,900 to $349,900.

The Preserve of Palatine provides condominium buyers great scenic views of the extensive land plan and lavish landscaping taking advantage of the community’s adjacent woodlands, she said.

A few condominium plans featuring north facing views at The Preserve of Palatine are the following:

Residence 403 at The Preserve is a Pine design, a 2-bedroom, 2-bath model residence with 1,659 square feet of living space. The Pine, priced at $309,900, is a spacious floor plan which showcases a split-bedroom layout and walk-in closets in both of the large bedrooms, open kitchen with a peninsula and birch cabinetry, granite counter-tops and stainless steel appliances. Cherry wood flooring is also included throughout the living areas.

The newest model at The Preserve, Residence 304, is a Mahogany floor plan, which will be ready for occupancy later this spring. Featuring 1,655 square feet of living space, 2 bedrooms, 2 baths and a den, this home includes upgraded maple cabinetry, exotic wood flooring in the living areas and kitchen and many other high-end finishes. It is priced at $349,900.      

“From the inside, buyers have views of lush greenery and quiet, tree-lined suburban streets which is very peaceful,” said O’Brien.

The Preserve of Palatine also features Franczak’s signature construction with a stately exterior and designer-decorated formal lobbies. The eye-catching architecture at The Preserve of Palatine features dramatic brick turrets on the northwest and northwest corners, as well as a brick and limestone façade and a grand arched entryway.     

The town of Palatine also offers many recreational attractions including the Palatine Trail, a bicycle, hiking, and nature trail, which extends through the Palatine Park District. Combining a paved trail with designated side streets, Palatine Trail provides access to schools, Harper College, neighborhood parks, Palatine Hills Golf Course, and several other northwest suburban bike trails.  

The Palatine Park District has some 48 parks and facilities. There are about five of these parks within walking distance of both The Preserve of Palatine and The Stratford of Palatine. Also nearby is the Senior Center at 505 S. Quentin Road.     

Also in Palatine is The Stratford Condominiums, a 5-story luxury development by R. Franczak & Associates located near the Town Square Park at the intersection of Palatine Road and Smith Street.     

The Stratford at 190 West Johnson Street will include 32 condominiums. Five different 2-bedroom, 2-bath designs are available ranging from 1,362 to 1,594 square feet of living space. Prices range from $289,900 to $369,900.

The Stratford's rich architectural design incorporates an illuminated cupola that rises from the top of the building. The unique landscaping design, which includes a park-like plaza centered by a water feature also adds to the ambiance and appeal of The Stratford of Palatine.

Buyers looking for a home with impressive views can choose from one of the following plans at the Stratford of Palatine.

* Residence 208 is a Birch with 2-bedrooms, 2-baths and 1,481 square feet of living space. This is currently the sales office and offers a scenic view of the park and tree lined streets.

Priced at $349,900, this split-bedroom plan features a dramatic entry foyer with views of the island kitchen and impressive great room with access to the balcony. This unit showcases painted warm neutral backdrop with camel and chocolate colors, copper-colored Tiger hardwood floor, dark-espresso mission-style oak-cabinets kitchen cabinets and granite island and counter-tops.

Residence 203 is a Hamilton plan with 2-bedrooms and 2 baths with 1,594 square feet of living space. It has been one of the builder’s most popular designs. This Hamilton has impressive southern views of the lush tree lined Johnson Street.

The home also includes a full-size dining room, living room, kitchen and dinette, cabinetry with a built-in dinette buffet, balcony, laundry room and foyer.  The kitchen has been modified from the Hamilton floor plan in previous developments to allow for a more open flow into the living room.

Priced at $369,900, the Hamilton was professionally decorated and blends many contemporary features with traditional accents.  Some of the luxury upgrades include sandstone maple custom kitchen cabinets, stainless steel appliances, Corian kitchen and bath countertops, Mahogany wood floors in living areas, upgraded ceramic tile and carpet.

R. Franczak also offers condominiums with amazing views at The Waterford Condominiums located on the site of the old Des Plaines library building at 799 Graceland Avenue near downtown Des Plaines. In an effort to incorporate some of the old with the new, R. Franczak restored the old library’s famed cupola and made it the centerpiece of the Waterford development.

The Waterford offers a choice, 2-bedroom and 2-bedroom-plus-den floor plans with 2 baths and 1,405 to 1,731 square feet of living space. Prices range from $295,900 to $359,900. More an 90 percent of the residents have already moved into their condominiums.

“R. Franczak & Associates offers urban-like interiors with impressive scenic views of tree-lined streets at The Waterford, said Lynne Gregg, sales manager for R. Franczak & Associates.  “These remaining plans have some of the best views.”

A sampling of some of these residences that offer inspiring views include:

* Residence 510 is an Abbey 2-bedroom, 2-baths split floor plan model with 1,444 square feet of living space, special 10.6-foot ceilings and 8-foot solid doors.

Priced at $324,900, this home features a seven-foot kitchen granite peninsula overlooking a 28-foot living/dining room with hardwood floors creating an open great room feel. Bedrooms are on either side of the great room for maximum privacy.

“The Abbey showcases views of the landscaped courtyard, signature cupola and tree lined boulevard of Graceland Ave,” said Gregg.

• The Monaco. Residence 403 is an exceptional end-unit plan at The Waterford which features a “Spa”-tacular luxury master bath. It has 2 bedrooms, 2 baths and 1,731 square feet of living space. The Monaco is priced at $339,900.

The Monaco has an impressive 18-by-16-foot master bedroom features an amazing master bath with whirlpool and spa shower, and room-sized walk in closet.

“For example the spa shower in the Monaco creates a mini-escape into a luxury retreat without ever leaving home,” said Gregg. “The spa shower allows you to surround yourself in water to soothe aching muscles and relax in a stress-free atmosphere. The sensual experience leaves you feeling rejuvenated.”

The Monaco also has hardwood wood floors through the foyer and main living spaces, Verde peacock granite countertops in the kitchen, 42-inch antique white custom cabinetry, an upgraded stainless-steel appliance package and custom 3-inch window and door casings and 5-inch baseboards with white two-panel doors.

Examples of some of the luxury appointments included in all R. Franczak & Associates residences: a stainless Steel General Electric appliance package, which includes self cleaning gas range, 21.8 cubic-foot refrigerator, dishwasher, built-in vented microwave and a full-size washer and dryer in white.

Buyers also have a selection of Corian or three-quarter-inch granite counter tops in the kitchen and custom cabinetry.

Other standards include: wood or ceramic kitchen flooring, white colonist or oak trim package, brushed nickel hardware by Schlage; lighting package, kitchen islands per plan; mini-blinds on windows; wood-wrapped windows with deep sills and an indoor heated parking space and storage room.

Since 1967, R. Franczak & Associates has a long history of building in Des Plaines and Palatine with more than 3,000 condominiums built.

* The sales center for The Preserve of Palatine is located at 435 West Wood Street, just off of Quentin Road in Palatine. Sales office hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends and by appointment pm weekdays. For more information, please call 847-705-2220, or visit www.rfranczak.com.

* The Stratford of Palatine sales center is at 190 West Johnson Street and is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.  For more information call 847-705-6238 or please visit: www.rfranczak.com.

* The Waterford Condominium sales center is located at 799 Graceland Avenue in Des Plaines. It is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call 847-297-6769 or visit our website www.rfranczak.com.