Chicago Tribune
August 2007

When Jason Baker sized up his housing options, he found himself wincing at the thought of tossing rent money down the drain.

That was all the motivation the 29-year-old single needed to purchase a one-bedroom, one-bath condo at Grand Bend at Green Bay, a new 49-unit condominium building west of downtown Evanston. “Honestly, I was tired of writing a rent check every month that got me nowhere,” he recalls of his decision to buy. “I’ve been renting in Evanston for about three years. It looks like I’m going to be here for a while, and I like Evanston. It’s got the 20-something demographic, lots of entertainment and restaurants. I do see it as a good investment.”

Reflecting on the housing status of his peers, Baker says he may be something of a minority as a single male home buyer.

“My contemporaries back East from college haven’t gotten to the point where they can make a purchase,” he says.

If men are from Mars and women from Venus, it also appears they’re light years away from one another in their willingness to become homeowners while single.

Anecdotal evidence that single men trail single females in home buying is backed by solid quantitative proof.

The National Association of Realtors reports single women currently make up better than one in five home buyers. The association’s 2005 survey of 7,800 home buyers and sellers found single women comprised 21 percent of all home buyer households, far outstripping the 9 percent registered by single men. Both trailed married couples, which made up 61 percent of the market.

A recent study by Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Studies noted that there are more unmarried women in the population, more women are delaying marriage and more women are forming their own households. Those factors help account for the $550 billion of real estate purchased by unmarried females between 2000 and 2003, the Harvard study concluded.

Talk to home builders, and many will tell you they just don’t see as many single men as they do single women buyers.

Agreeing that single men finish a poor second to single women in home buying is Pam Albrecht, vice-president of sales and marketing for Northbrook-based Ferris Homes, developer of Baker’s new home, Evanston’s Grand Bend at Green Bay.

“We find a lot more single women buying, as opposed to single men,” she said. “And in our Evanston community, that seems to be holding true… It is about 8 percent that single males comprise of the total numbers.”

Albrecht considers it surprising that more single men aren’t buying homes, given the financial logic of doing so.

“It’s just odd that it’s a low number, to be honest, because many males are good with math skills, and recognize the investment return”. she said.

Some male buyers dread the perceived permanence linked to home buying, but not Baker. He doesn’t see his new condo being a barrier to mobility in the years ahead.

“One of the important aspects of choosing new construction was that I could turn around and sell it in a couple of years, which I anticipate doing,” he said. “When the time comes to move up and out, I was looking for a place that wouldn’t be difficult to sell, It is an EXCELLENT INVESTMENT.”

Pioneer Press
May 2007

Northbrook-based Ferris Homes Grand Bend at Green Bay project is proving to be the most exciting and spacious condominium project in Evanston, with prices that are amazing prospective buyers. The Grand Bend building, when completed, will be a six story structure with 49 individual residences, offering buyers one, two and three bedroom units and all the amenities that every Ferris homebuyer has come to expect.

According to Drew Ferris, President of Ferris Homes, all ages and prospective buyers are thrilled with the exciting choices available to them at Grand Band at Greeen Bay.

“The response to the project has been strong, by first time buyers as well as those who are very experienced. The design of the building, the amenities offered and the pricepoint have all been components of our success with this project and our entrance into Evanston,” he continues. “In every aspect, the response from the market has been enthusiastic.”

And with good reason. Grand Bend at Green Bay is an eyecatcher. The building features a gracefully curved brick exterior. The recently completed top, 6th floor has put in place a unique addition to the surrounding area that is both pleasant as well as quite remarkable. Floor plans at Grand Bend are typically larger and include finishes that competitors consider optional. Value, design and great location add up to a winning combination.

Most enticing for buyers are the private terraces and brushed steel and glass balconies that each unit will offer as well as the nine foot floor to ceiling windows throughout the unit that give as much light in as possible and allow buyers to have incredible views of outside. Units boast gourmet kitchens, with a fabulous, functional layout. The kitchens feature state of the art stainless steel appliances, granite countertops and Wellborn 36 inch oversized upper cabinetry, all included as standard features. The units also include hardwood floors throughout the foyer, kitchen, hallways, living room, and dining room, beautiful full size fireplaces are available in most units are included and professionally selected window treatments are included throughout all the condominiums.

The building itself boasts secure, deeded indoor parking for each unit, lobby intercom telephone access with video monitors, individual storage spaces, a professionally decorated lobby and many other perks.

“The Grand Bend at Green Bay offers buyers the best of everything,” says Ferris. “Our project is in the heart of Evanston and offers the buyer everything — city energy, amenities and attractions all with the just the right amount of suburbia mixed in,” continues Ferris. Grand Bend at Green Bay is located near shopping, Lake Michigan, Northwestern University, the train, and the highlights of downtown Evanston.”

Spacious floor plans begin at 915 square feet for the smallest 1 bedroom, 1 bath unit with the largest unit being 2055 square feet. Pricing for the units start range from $300,000-$700,000 penthouse unit. Monthly association fees, which cover building insurance, interior and exterior maintenance, landscaping, snow removal and water and gas utilities range from $159 to $424, depending on the unit.

For more information on Grand Bend at Green Bay, interested parties can visit the Sales Center, located at 1131 Emerson Street in Evanston. Sales center hours are Sunday and Monday, noon to 5 pm, and Tuesday through Saturday 10am – 5 pm. For more information, calls can be directed to 847.491.1600.

New Homes
June 2006

The standout feature of the new Grand Bend at Green Bay condo development in Evanston is its curved brick exterior, although you’d never guess it by looking at the frontal rendering of the building, at 1228 Emerson St. (at Green Bay Road).

The curvaceous design of the six-story building was inspired by a prominent arc in nearby Green Bay Road, according to Pam Albrecht, vice president of marketing for developer Ferris Homes.

The shape of the building isn’t merely cosmetic, but extends to the design of the 49 condos, which feature curvilinear terraces and balconies up to 700 square feet, according to Albrecht. Large windows offer views of the tall trees that surround the development and Lake Forest-based architectural firm, Goldberg Downey has included a common courtyard in the building she said.

The one- to three-bedroom condos range from 915 to 2,055 square feet. Features include hardwood floors, KitchenAid appliances, Moen faucets, granite countertops, Wellborn cabinetry and washer/dryer hook-ups. Master baths have five-spray Body Spa bath showers, Moen fixtures, fireplaces and soaking tubs per plan. The building includes elevators, secure deeded indoor parking and individual storage.

The development is located about five blocks from downtown Evanston and within walking distance of an El stop, a Metra station and Northwestern University.

At press time, the condos were priced from the $240s to the $730s. Sales began May 7 and five units were purchased on the first couple of days, according to Albrecht.

Construction is underway and the first occupancy is scheduled for fall 2007.

Pioneer Press Evanston Review
April 2006

EVANSTON, IL: Northbrook-based Ferris Homes has broken ground and begun construction on what will be architecturally unique and spacious condominium project in Evanston, with prices that will simply amaze prospective buyers. The Grand Bend at Greenbay building features gracefully curved architecture that has been designed to fit the location. The Grand Bend Building will be a six story structure with 49 individual residences, offering buyers 1, 2 and 3 bedroom units and 1 or 2 baths and offer all the included features that are the hallmark of every Ferris home.

“The response to the design of the Grand Bend building has been strong and extremely favorable, says Drew Ferris, president of Ferris Homes. “Ferris Homes is always pleased to bring innovative ideas into the marketplace and the community has responded enthusiastically to our product in Evanston.”

Each unit will include luxury offerings as standard including oversized 700 square foot private terraces that are 8 x 12 feet and nine foot floor to ceiling windows throughout the unit to allow as much light in as possible and allow buyers to have incredible views of nearby trees. Units will boast gourmet kitchens with state of the art KitchenAid appliances, granite countertops and Wellborn 36 inch oversized upper cabinetry. Master baths include 5 spray Body Spa showers. The units will offer hardwood floors throughout the foyer, kitchen, hallways, living room, and dining room, beautiful full size fireplaces in most units are available and professionally selected window treatments throughout all the condominiums.

The building itself boasts secure, deeded indoor parking for each unit, lobby intercom telephone access with video monitors, individual storage spaces, a professionally decorated lobby and other public areas and many other perks.

“The Grand Bend offers buyers the best of everything for buyers by being located near shopping, Lake Michigan, the beach, the train, and the very best amenities of downtown Evanston .The project is the perfect blend of city energy and a suburban pace, ” continues Ferris.

Spacious floor plans begin at 915 square feet for the smallest 1 bedroom, 1 bath unit with the largest unit being 2055 square feet. Pricing for the units start as low as $249,900 and range upwards to $734,900 for the most expensive penthouse unit. Monthly association fees, which cover building insurance, interior and exterior maintenance, landscaping, snow removal and water and gas utilities range from $159 to $424, depending on the unit.

According to Drew Ferris, president of Ferris Homes, “Grand Bend at Greenbay is a contemporary product with an intimate atmosphere nestled in the booming Evanston neighborhood. This development will provide the best living space and unit amenity package currently available in today’s market.”

For more information on Grand Bend at Greenbay, interested parties can visit the Sales Center, located at 1131 Emerson Street, at the corner of Emerson and Ridge.

Sales center hours beginning May 1st are Sunday and Monday 12pm - 5pm, Tuesday , Wednesday and Saturday 10am - 5pm. Interested parties can also come in and visit by appointment on any Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. For more information, calls can be directed to 847.491-1600 or by visiting www.grandbendatgreenbay.com.

For information on other Ferris Homes communities, visit either www.ferrishomes.com or to visit decorated models in Ferris Homes Liberty Grove community in Libertyville, visit www.liberty-grove.com. For over 10 years now, Ferris Homes of Northbrook has been dedicated to building distinctive communities of custom and semi-custom homes. Every Ferris home is built to the customers’ individual tastes, on time, within budget, and resulting in the very best value for the investment. During construction, rigorous quality control, coupled with a strong customer orientation drives both customer satisfaction and an outstanding product. Ferris Homes accepts only the very best products and materials for their homes. They partner with trade contractors who focus specifically on pride in workmanship. The mutual commitment for superior results has earned Ferris Homes awards and recognition from the Home Builders Association of Greater Chicago, Kohler Co., and a growing reputation for excellence from those who matter most, their customers.