Crescent Court Expected To Help Energize Elmhurst’s Main Street Program

Although it is not part of downtown Elmhurst’s official Main Street program, the new Morningside Crescent Court condominium community is expected to help invigorate efforts to revitalize downtown Elmhurst.

The new residential complex being developed by Chicago-based Morningside Group will bring scores of additional customers to the central business district, and provide aesthetic improvements to enrich the downtown experience.

“While we may be regarded as an adjunct to the state-run Main Street program, I believe we will contribute significantly to its success, ” said David Strosberg, president of Morningside Group. The firm, which specializes in suburban downtown residential and mixed-use developments, recently completed Museum Square, another condominium building adjacent to Elmhurst’s central business district at Adelaide and Cottage Hill streets.

The Illinois Main Street program is administered by the office of Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn and is modeled after a program created by the US National Trust for Historic Preservation. Its mission is to preserve historic downtowns like Elmhurst’s and encourage business growth.

Its accomplishments thus far include transforming the obsolescent York Theater in the heart of York Street to a multi-screen facility with state-of-the-art technology. The improved York Theater building has attracted a Starbucks coffee shop and other tenants occupy adjacent storefronts, including Enzee Boutique, a women’s apparel shop. And two more cinemas are being built behind two stores.

“If nothing else, we’ll be bringing dozens of neighbors who will be patronizing these entertainment and retail facilities for their own convenience. Their presence may also help to attract other retail or entertainment operations to the area, ” said Strosberg.

Morningside Crescent Court, a community of 123 luxury condominium residences, will cover four acres adjacent to the Elmhurst Historical Museum and the historic bank building at the corner of York and Park Avenue. The property will see extensive improvements during the construction process. One of the benefits will be the formation of a half-acre park that will also help enhance the Main Street plan.

The second phase of Crescent Court, due to begin soon, will offer 56 one- and two-bedroom floor plans, ranging in size from 937 to 1,518 square feet; buyers may combine units for even more living space. Five floor plans will be featured, with pre-construction base prices ranging from the mid-$200,000s to the upper-$300,000s (prices and availability subject to change without notice). The first phase of 67 residences sold out within eight days in October.

The pair of five-story brick-and-stone buildings (one in each phase) will exhibit a prairie-style high-end architectural design and each will include private, heated indoor parking on the first level, as well as storage lockers and a fully equipped exercise room.

Sound transmission from the hallways and from other surrounding residences will be minimized by specific construction practices, such as the use of foot-thick precast concrete floors and six-inch concrete masonty walls between residences and in corridors. The design also includes barrier-free common areas, a “looped” hot water supply system for hotter water faster, and a closed-circuit monitoring system for secure building entry.

Each unit will feature 8’9″ ceilings in living areas (per plan), large private balconies, oversized patio doors and solid-core entry doors with deadbolts, and oversized maintenance-free wood casement windows. Other details include laundry hookups within each unit, as well as individually controlled radiant heating and central air conditioning, pre-wired telephone, cable and high-speed Internet access, and walk-in master bedroom closets.

Kitchens will offer furniture-quality cabinetry (including 42-inch upper cabinets), solid-surface counter tops, ceramic tile backsplashes and flooring, Koehler cast iron double-bowl sinks and Maytag appliances — such as 21 cubic-foot refrigerators with icemakers, dishwashers, self-cleaning gas ranges and built-in microwave ovens. Baths will feature ceramic tile floors and surrounds and cultured marble vanity tops on furniture-quality cabinets; master baths have two sinks and offer a choice of cast iron tub, deep soaking tub or separate shower. Top-level units have the option of including skylights in the kitchens.

In addition to the York Theater building, the Elmhurst Historical Museum is a neighbor, and the new community is just a few minutes walk from the Elmhurst Art Museum, Elmhurst College, Wilder Park, and the Metra station for an easy commute to downtown Chicago.

The 3,000-square-foot New Homes Gallery serves as the sales center for Crescent Court and is situated on the second floor of the existing bank building at 105 S. York Street, at the corner of York and Park Avenue. Hours are from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. For more information, call (630) 834-8720 or visit www.morningsideusa.com.