CHICAGO—It took Jeff Benach, co-principal of Chicago-based Lexington Homes, about three years to sell the 39 Lexington Square homes he built in the south side neighborhood of Bridgeport just before the recession hit. But the housing market has changed for the better, and the company has already sold 50% of Lexington Square3, a community of 20 three-bedroom townhomes it will soon begin building.

Located between S. Morgan and S. Sangamon streets, Lexington Square3 is just west of US Cellular Field. The community offers the same two floor plans used by the company at Lexington Square and Lexington Square2, its two earlier townhome projects, both of which are sold out. The homes range in size from 2,216 to 2,507 square feet and have base prices starting around $380,000. Once it finishes this third phase, Lexington will have built and delivered a total of 83 townhomes in the neighborhood.

“Over the past six years, Lexington Homes has helped transform this area of Bridgeport into a family-friendly community,” says Benach. “Our Lexington Square communities have been a big draw for those looking to move up from a condo or apartment to a larger, yet affordable, home in the city. And, almost all of them have been young families, which has created at least two significant baby booms over the past four years.”

“It's really turned into a tight-knit community,” he adds. “On any given warm Friday night you can see Lexington Square families bring out the kids' toys and a trampoline and congregate for a pizza party.”

The homes come standard with three bedrooms, 2½ baths, large eat-in kitchens, living and dining rooms, family rooms, rooftop decks and attached two-car garages. According to Benach, one of the most desirable features of the townhomes is the amount of outdoor living space, which includes fenced-in front yards and full-size balconies off the kitchens.

“Typically, townhomes in the city may have one or two of these outdoor features, but to have all three is pretty rare, especially for under $400,000,” he says. “And once people take in the views from the rooftop deck, including the fireworks at US Cellular Field and the downtown skyline, they're blown away.”

 

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