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and an appreciation for locally grown organic food, says Stickland, a lifelong equestrian who also imports specialty Holsteins from Germany. To map out the ambitious project and get develop- ment rolling, Stickland teamed up with her brother, John DeWald, a developer and the owner of John DeWald & Associates (jd-assoc.com) in Encinitas, California. DeWald anticipates that home and lot packages will range from $800,000 to $2 million. The first model home will be on view this spring. "It's the lifestyle of being connected to nature, sus- tainability, and good food that is drawing lots of people to Serosun Farms," says DeWald. "We seem to be attracting lots of foodies and chefs because good food is a luxury item." Four of the first 14 lots have sold, with construction beginning this spring. The master plan calls for three open acres of restored and preserved land for every acre developed, and DeWald is assembling a list of preferred architects, builders, and vendors with expertise in sustainable practices and green products to execute the plan (homebuyers can also work with professionals of their choice). One architect on the list, Jeffrey Funke of Funke Architects in Chicago (funkearchitects.com), designed the model home, a modern farmhouse that showcases a number of available features, including a geother- mal energy system that taps underground water for heating and cooling; solar panels on the roof for elec- tricity; high motorized windows that open to let out rising heat in the summer; and automated appliances as well as lighting and HVAC systems controllable through the owner's smartphone or tablet. Other fea- tures will be made of nontoxic and recycled materials, like the bamboo flooring and repurposed cabinets. "If it's a weekend place," says Funke, "they could type in a living scene from their iPad or phone on their way out, and everything will be functioning in their home as they want it by the time they get there." Unlike at most developments, owners can design a unique home—Serosun does not mandate that they choose from several cookie-cutter styles—but the structure must have a farmhouse look and comply with basic green standards. "More sophisticated buyers are looking for sustain- able features in high-performance homes," says DeWald. "It's less of a 'granola' thing to do and becom- ing more mainstream among the luxury crowd." 45W489 Berner Road, Hampshire, 847-683-4796; serosunfarms.com MA "SuStainaBility attRactS people WHo knoW tHat living in a HigH-peRfoRmance Home iS a luxuRy, not a SacRifice." —jane stickland clockwise from top: A state-of-the-art equestrian center is one of the draws at Serosun Farms; an organic vegetable garden will be a boon to those seeking locally grown produce; natural wetlands and 100-year-old oak trees create a serene setting. SuStainable living Three new communities where luxurious green living is a given. Tryon Farm. a small-scale community in michigan city, indiana, this development spans 170 acres (120 of them preserved), with more than 20 lots still available. owners are free to install all the deluxe high-performance features they'd like in a maxi- mum 2,500-square-foot home. 1500 Tryon Road, Michigan City, 301-455-5257; tryonfarm.com EcoSquarE chicago. under construction on the near West Side, this 150-unit development will have single-family homes, townhouses, and condos on a fve-plus-acre property that will meet the require- ments for energy Star 3.0 certifcation set by the uS Department of energy. Grenshaw and Campbell Streets, 773-252-3177; smarttechhomes.com PrairiE croSSing. an hour north of chicago in grayslake, this eco-conscious, 677-acre property boasts 359 homes and condo clusters; the surrounding commu- nity features a working organic farm, a charter school, and horse stables. Illinois Rte. 137 and W. Casey Road, Grayslake; prairiecrossing.com 122 michiganavemag.com haute property News, Stars, and trends in real estate