West Suburban Real Estate Blog

Butterfield in Aurora is a collection of neighborhoods.

We lived here from 1988 to 1994 and have sold upwards of 250 properties in this development. Among the many things that people like about this neighborhood are: easy access to I88 (even easier with the new ramps on Bilter/Ferry) being north of the expressway eases congestion, terrific district 204 schools and the Illinois Prairie Path which runs along the western edge of the neighborhood.

Originally started in 1977 when the Levy Corporation (known for  developing 1 Mag Mile, the restaurants Spiaggia & Bistro 110 and their quality food service to public venues)  formed the development group called DuPage Property Ventures and started developing the area. At one point in time the Chicago Bears had an option on some of the commercial land for a potential Stadium. The commercial section of the area starts west of Eola and extends in places to RT59.

The first builder in the neighborhood was Jim Joyce. He had two distinct collections of homes, unfortunately he was a victim of the extremely high interest rates of the early 1980′s.

The Cavalcade of Homes was hosted along Blue Spruce and Pine Tree Court in 1983. Cambridge, Pulte, Sundance, Keim, Bigelow and United Development all built homes to show off to the masses. Ironically, it would be four of those companies who, in later years, would complete the neighborhood.

Pulte took over the southern portion of the neighborhood (White Barn to Big Woods) in 1983/84 and it was renamed “Bristol Woods at Butterfield”. They also built ”Country Oaks at Butterfield”  The very well run townhome development.

It was in the mid 80′s that the park became an issue. the sign “future school and park site” was looking a bit bedraggled. District 204 had repeatedly said the site was too small for a school and the township line runs right down the middle of the field.. meaning that two park districts were responsible. Fortunately for the residents, the two taxing bodies worked things out and the terrific Fox Valley Park District took over., developing a wonderful park for the neighbors to enjoy

Bigelow was known for their super energy efficient design in upscale luxury homes. In 1985 Perry Bigelow decided to transfer those skills to a more affordable home. They built a large section of the north end (Southlight at Butterfield) of the subdivision as well as townhomes (Cinnamon Glen at Butterfield) Known for their homes without furnaces, Bigelow built with 2X6 exterior walls (more insulation) and used the Apollo Hydroheat system which uses the already heated water from the hot water heater to help heat the home.

On a blind drive out from Chicago my wife Lisa and I  followed the billboards to the Bigelow homes and loved them. We decided to eat something (at Triffany’s, now known as Omni) and talk,  it was while we were on our way back that Lisa and I discovered United Developments “Sycamore Woods at Butterfield” and fell in love with the house we purchased on Ptarmigan Court. United Development sold over 90 homes in the area, we always wished that we had gotten one of the lots backing to the Big Woods Forest Preserve. We loved that house and our neighbors.

In the early 90′s Bigelow ran out of gas, they had 6 lots left for single family homes and they had lost interest in this type of development, it was distracting them from building their new concept “Hometown” developments (Aurora, Oswego & Romeoville) They hired me to sell the lots.

The six lots were all on Blue Spruce and Evergreen, great streets and locations. A small custom home builder by the name of John Mclaughlin bought all six. I sold four of them to folks from the area. When Bilter Road was relocated that left space for another townhouse cul de sac (Preston Court) and Bigelow came back to finish up the townhomes, they sold a few at auction to get things going, but that was ill advised as we were able to sell all we had in a normal manner through the MLS. The market had changed.

Things settled down after that. There were disputes about setting up special service areas for taxes for the maintenance of the parkway and entrances. The neighbors rallied, meetings were held and the neighbors won that battle. It was Democracy at its finest.

Cambridge Homes had to assume that burden when they bought the remaining land. Cambridge bult condos, townhomes and single family homes. They did it quickly and successfully. Perhaps this is why, after the brutal market of the last few years, they are still in business.

Below, I am including the neighborhood of Ginger Woods because it enjoys many of the same benefits  of location, even though it is not “technically” part of Butterfield. These are upscale custom homes built by Traditions and Sterling Builders, well regarded local builders with an eye for detail. Some of the neighborhood attends Naperville/Aurora District 204 but at the county line Ginger Woods changes school districts with some of the children attending the highly regarded Batavia Schools.

Showing properties 1 - 5 of 65. See more The Butterfield Subdivision.
(all data current as of 7/29/2010)

1. $499,000 : 2743 Nicole Cir, Aurora
   
   2 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

   Size: 3,100 sq ft

   Lot size: n/a

   Year built: 2008

   Parking spots: 2

   Walk Score™: 28
   
2. $199,800 : 2675 Fieldstone Ct, Aurora
   
   3 beds, 1 full bath

   Size: 1,374 sq ft

   Lot size: n/a

   Year built: 1980

   Parking spots: 2

   Walk Score™: 20
   
3. $274,900 : 2353 Handley Ln, Aurora
   
   3 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

   Size: 1,720 sq ft

   Lot size: n/a

   Year built: 2001

   Parking spots: 2

   Walk Score™: 12
   
4. $1,295 : 2314 Scott Ln, Aurora
   
   2 beds, 2 full baths

   Size: n/a

   Lot size: n/a

   Year built: 2003

   Parking spots: 1

   Walk Score™: 14
   
5. $479,544 : 2707 Nicole Cir, Aurora
   
   2 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

   Size: 2,583 sq ft

   Lot size: n/a

   Year built: 2010

   Parking spots: 2

   Walk Score™: 28
   

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