Studio only the start at Four Lakes

By Annemarie Mannion | Tribune staff reporter

July 29, 2007

Any Chicago-area apartment complex that has a ski hill is out of the ordinary. And the mass of trees surrounding the hill at Towers at Four Lakes in Lisle provides a rustic backdrop and adds to its distinctive qualities.

The leafy setting -- along with the ski hill -- makes it feel like this pair of eight-story buildings are in a forest preserve. While the hill waits for winter, 10 sand-volleyball courts at its base were used for a recent tournament.

The adjacent towers, which contain a total of 476 units, are down the road from the athletic venues. The red-brick buildings, constructed in the late 1980s, also share the sprawling property with low-rise condos.

Amenities are as plentiful as the trees at Four Lakes, which also features jogging and walking trails, lighted tennis courts, four swimming pools, a pub-style restaurant and concierge service to accept packages, arrange for maid service and help renters manage their lives.

Other options for relaxation are a 24-hour fitness center in one of the towers and a patio with a fire pit and grill overlooking one of the lakes.

That lake also is visible from the studio apartment we toured. It can be seen from the area designated on the floor plan for living, dining and sleeping. This first-floor unit has just 500 square feet, but it includes a coat closet, walk-in closet and pantry to make the most of its space. In addition, each apartment has storage outside the unit; bike storage is provided in the attached garage.

The front door of the model opens into a beige-carpeted foyer with a double coat closet.

The next door opens into the bathroom with a white tile floor, a white vanity with floral lights above and a white tub/shower.

Many of the apartments at Four Lakes recently have been renovated with new carpet, counters, cabinets and appliances. That gives the kitchen an updated look.

The kitchen is at the end of the hall from the foyer. It has an island with a cherry wood base and a granite counter in cream, gray and black. The island separates the 7-by-8-foot kitchen from the living, dining and sleeping area.

The kitchen also has cherry wood cabinets, a cream-colored ceramic tile floor, stainless steel double sink and appliances including a refrigerator, stove, microwave and dishwasher. The pantry is on one wall.

The storage space provided by the pantry surely would be appreciated by residents, as would the walk-in closet. Across from the kitchen on the other side of the hall, are shelves and clothing rods.

The 18-by-10-foot living, dining and sleeping area is brightened by a double window with an eastern exposure and a sliding-glass door on an angled wall. They also provide a view of a lake and trees.

The sliding-glass door leads to a balcony that overlooks one of the community's man-made lakes with a center fountain. The balcony is large enough to hold a bistro-style table and two chairs.

Returning to the living area, a space just under the double window is the perfect size for a love seat.

The other side of the room would be a good place to put a queen-size bed; an entertainment center would fit on the wall opposite the bed. This area's other border is the island. Pull a couple of stools up to that for your dining area.

Each building at Towers of Four Lakes has a laundry room on the first floor. There is a Metra station in Lisle, and the complex is a few minutes drive to the North-South Tollway.

Remodeled apartments range from $799 to $874 for studios and $999 to $1,059 for one- bedroom units. Rent for apartments that have not been updated is about $100 less.

For rental information, call 630-964-6800.

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Vital stats

Towers at Four Lakes, 5800 Forest View Rd., Lisle

Size: Studio

Rent: $814

Security deposit: $1,000 or a $175, non-refundable surety bond

Utilities: Resident pays electricity, heat, water and sewer and for trash collection.

Parking: A space available immediately in the attached indoor garage is $15 a month; or the space will be free for residents who go on a waiting list for about two to three months. There is outdoor, unreserved parking on the roof of the garage.

Pets: Cats are allowed, as are dogs less than 25 pounds. A $500 pet deposit is required plus a $350 non-refundable pet fee and $20 a month pet rent.

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amannion@tribune.com