Cheri and Bob Mena are combining two units for an extra-large condominium -- at Optima Old Orchard Woods, a development in Skokie. The couple also is getting another condo there for their daughter.

For 18 years, Bob and Cheri and their daughter, Suzanne, have resided in a single-family home in Skokie.

"We weren't actively looking for a new place," Bob said. But they were intrigued about the condo development's location by the Harms Woods Forest Preserve. So they added their name to the interest list, and they were invited to the office on the first day of preview sales.

"It was like being at the Jewel food store the day before a holiday," Bob said. "The condominiums were selling so fast that we hurried to choose the particular condo we wanted -- on the eighth floor, facing south, with a great view.

"Because our home is a combination of two plans, we also have two parking spaces in the heated garage," he said.

The couple plans for their daughter, Suzanne, to move into her condo after she graduates from college.

Bob and Cheri plan to use the fitness club and the sun deck at Optima Old Orchard Woods. But before they settle into their new home, they have to "thin out" accumulated belongings from their single-family home.

"We're making a double move, first into a rental apartment for the next year, and then into our home at Optima Old Orchard Woods," Bob said. "We figure we'll downsize about 50 percent of our things, but we're taking it all in stride. We're ready to streamline. We're very excited about living at Optima Old Orchard Woods."

Altogether, Optima Old Orchard Woods will have 691 units in three towers (each with 20 stories). Each tower will have its own two- story, glass-enclosed lobby and fitness center on the penthouse floor, featuring views of the Chicago skyline and the forest preserve. Recreational facilities include a swimming pool and a sun deck.

Eighty percent of the units in the first building, Oak Tower, have been sold. First move-ins are scheduled for spring 2006.

Sales have begun at Elm Tower, the second building phase. Maple Tower will be the third building phase.

Prices start at $280,000 for 1-bedroom condominiums. Two-bedroom plans begin in the mid-$300,000s. Three-bedroom units start in the $460,000s.

One heated garage space is included with each condo, and additional spaces are available.

Optima Old Orchard Woods, Skokie. Pre-construction sales are being handled at the Optima Inc. office at 1741 Maple St. in Evanston. Optima Inc., (847) 570-9500.

ZION. The 100th home has been sold at Shepherds Crossing, a development of single-family homes in Zion.

"The key to the [development's] success is the rare opportunity for a new single-family home in Lake County in the low- to mid- $200,000s," said Michael Menas, president of Deer Point Homes. "Reaching this sales milestone is a real testament to the need for quality new-construction homes in the area."

The builder plans 239 single-family homes. Base prices range from the $210,000s to the $260,000s. Eleven floor plans are sized from 1,575 to 2,467 square feet. Houses have 2 to 4 bedrooms, 2 or 21/2 baths and 2-car attached garages.

The 1,656-square-foot Oxford floor plan, priced from $225,990, has 3 bedrooms, 21/2 baths and an attached 2-car garage.

A half-wall, flanked by a set of columns, separates the living room and family room. "Columns have become popular in new-home interiors because they serve as an architectural feature that really shapes a room by defining the space without closing it off with a wall," Menas said.

"The loft in this floor plan provides flex space that is highly sought after by many of today's home buyers," he said. "It can serve as a reading nook, a homework area or a computer room." A fourth bedroom is optional instead of the loft.

A two-story foyer, an island kitchen and family room are highlights of the Devon. The 2,279-square-foot Devon, with 4 bedrooms, 21/2 baths and an attached 2-car garage, is priced from $246,990.

The kitchen opens to the family room. "Cooks aren't isolated in the kitchen while the rest of the guests are in the next room watching movies or playing games," he said.

The Devon also features a second-floor laundry room. "That eliminates the need for residents to haul laundry up and down stairs," Menas said.

Shepherds Crossing, Zion. Deer Point Homes, (847) 746-5123.

DARIEN. Preconstruction sales have begun at Violet's Farm, a town- house development in Darien.

Fairfax Darien LLC, the builder, plans 26 units. Base prices range from $349,000 to $409,000. Sizes range from 1,950 to 2,350 square feet. Town houses have 2 or 3 bedrooms, 21/2 baths and attached 2-car garages.

Standard amenities include formal living and dining rooms, breakfast rooms, granite countertops and second-level lofts. One plan has a first-floor master suite.

Townhomes of Violet's Farm, Darien. Fairfax Darien LLC. (630) 518- 4760.

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