OAK BROOK – Dennis Keller grew up on the north side of Hinsdale, while his wife, Connie, was raised on the south side of what is now known as Oak Brook.
They have been married for 48 years, still live in Oak Brook and vividly recall a time when the the area wasn't nearly as commercialized, and open space was still available.
One of those last open spaces is Templeton Reserve, a 55-acre parcel of land in 35th Street and immediately adjacent to Breakenridge Farms, which Connie Keller's grandfather purchased in 1922.
About 2.5 years ago, the Keller family purchased Templeton Reserve after its previous developer ceased operations. The land is a mix of two, three and four acre estate homesites.
"It's probably one of the biggest, continuous pieces of property in Oak Brook for sure," Dennis Keller said.
The open land features mature trees, wetlands and six ponds. Bronswood Creek runs through the property, and Oak Brook Farms is immediately east of the reserve.
"It's not pancake land like so much of Illinois," he said.
His family purchased the reserve because of the proximity to their property, then developed the land to tie in with the rest of Oak Brook and the character of the neighborhood.
Oak Brook Public Works director Mike Hullihan said just like with any developer, the village worked closely with the Keller family to make sure each phase of the development met village requirements and the subdivision ordinance, as well as its land management and storm water ordinances.
"They met or exceeded all of our requirements," Hullihan said, explaining that the Kellers took particular care in treating and turning it into a "a first class development."
"He also put in a considerable visual and sound barrier in the form of an earth berm instead of relying on a sound wall. That feature is pretty impressive."
That 20-foot sound barrier berm was added in the summer of 2013 by Keller, his son David and their development team on the western edge of the property to help isolate sound coming from Route 83.
Sales are now underway for the 55-acre Templeton Reserve, and so far one of the 20 homesites has been sold. Homesites range in size from two to over four acres and are priced from $2.3 to $3.9 million.
Templeton Reserve school children will attend Brook Forest Elementary, Butler Junior High and Hinsdale Central High School.
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Know more:
For more information about Templeton Reserve, visit www.templetonreserve.com.