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Like daughter, like mother
Both get condominiums at Elk Grove Village conversion
Chicago Sun-Times
by BILL CUNNIFF 4/13/07

Rennetta Stecks was part of the first graduating class at Elk Grove Village High School in 1968. She has lived in the northwest suburb for most of her life. Stecks spent a few years in nearby municipalities (and even a few months in Wyoming), but she ultimately came back to the hometown -- with a condominium at the newly converted Terrace of Elk Grove Village.

"It was everything I was looking for," she said. "The property is neat and well-maintained, and just really appealing with lots of trees. I felt comfortable right away because the Terrace is located in an established neighborhood just across the street from nice single-family homes."

The complex is comprised of eight buildings, with a total of 427 units. Condos have 1 or 2 bedrooms. Stecks selected a 1-bedroom design. "I found it to be very roomy, with great closet space," she said. "I especially look forward to sitting on my balcony and enjoying my treetop view."

Development amenities include an L-shaped swimming pool with a sundeck (which was completely re-done last summer) and a new fitness center. The clubhouse features seating areas with plasma televisions, a billiards room and a business center.

RDM Development redid the building lobbies and elevator surrounds with marble flooring, new lighting and furnishings. Building corridors also were enhanced with designer carpeting and fresh paint. But for Stecks, the pricing was the deal clincher. "The pricing was extremely reasonable," she said.

Meanwhile, her mother, Irene Stecks, also decided to buy a condo at the Terraces. She selected a 1-bedroom plan, downsizing from a 5-bedroom single-family home.
"My niece is an interior designer, and she measured all of my furniture and cut out little pieces that she place onto the floor plan. I was so thrilled when she told me, 'Auntie, you can take all your favorite things!' " she said. "The kitchen is very spacious with a soffit that I will use to display all of my blue and white oriental plates," she said. "I also like that I will be able to place my kitchen table and chairs there for informal dining. I'm also looking forward to enjoying the patio. "I have two etageres that I will place in the kitchen and dining room," she said. "My two bookcases fit perfectly, as well as my couch, several tables and many decorative things. My husband made beautiful tapestries by hand, and I plan to put one in each room." Her daughter's condo is in a nearby building.

Prices begin at $102,900. Units have 1 or 2 bedrooms. Sizes range from 600 to 1,100 square feet. One assigned outdoor parking space is included with each unit. About 340 of the 427 condos have been sold.

Terrace of Elk Grove Village. RDM Development, (847) 437-7200.