Heritage Harbor Ottawa Resort, a marina resort community on the Illinois River in Ottawa, Ill., within Starved Rock Country, announces it has broken ground on the Cottages at River Row, a new pocket neighborhood of single-family homes and duplex residences surrounding a new community pool on the resort’s West Peninsula.

Located just 90 minutes southwest of Chicago, Heritage Harbor Ottawa is a 142-acre master-planned development of single-family homes, townhomes, vacation cottages, carriage homes and condos, centered on a 32-acre harbor and full-service marina. With its offering of boating amenities, waterfront living, and nearby recreational opportunities such as Starved Rock State Park and the I&M Canal Trail, the community offers a resort lifestyle for those seeking a vacation, retirement or full-time residence in this region.

“We’re excited to introduce the Cottages at River Row as the newest addition to our pocket neighborhood concept at Heritage Harbor Ottawa, which allows us to create distinctive residential experiences within the larger community,” said Tammy Barry, director of sales and marketing for Heritage Harbor Ottawa. “This enclave of homes was inspired by buyer demand for smaller, low-maintenance residences perfect for placing in our on-site rental management program, but also featuring the architectural aesthetics and high-quality design buyers want in a home they will enjoy themselves. These homes complement the neighborhood’s liberal rental policy, while also giving buyers everything they’re looking for in a vacation or weekend residence.”

Barry noted the Cottages at River Row neighborhood is also distinguished by its proximity to the new West Peninsula pool, as well as easy access to the riverfront and other resort amenities.

“These are the first poolside homes we’ve built at Heritage Harbor, and they have a real ‘getaway’ vibe that comes with a pool being just steps from the back door,” said Barry. “Of course, the new West Peninsula pool will also be a terrific new amenity for all of our residents and guests to enjoy as part of the relaxing resort lifestyle at Heritage Harbor Ottawa. When it opens later this summer, residents will have two pools to choose from in the community, including our existing pool next to the marina.”

The new Cottages at River Row neighborhood will include three single-family homes, which are being built on a speculative basis, and four duplex residences. Two of the single-family homes will feature floor plans by noted architects Peter Brachvogel and Stella Carosso of Bainbridge Island, Wash.-based Perfect Little House Company, which offers smaller home designs infused with quality and character.

“The Perfect Little House ideology – that you can live big in a well-designed smaller home – is a terrific fit for the lifestyle at Heritage Harbor,” said Barry. “The company’s floor plans have been prominently featured in popular vacation home communities in the Northwest, and we look forward to bringing more Perfect Little House designs to Heritage Harbor in the future. These two homes are a great way to showcase examples from their portfolio to our buyers.”

A third single-family home was designed and is being built by Lisle, Ill.-based Rivercrest Development Group LLC.

Priced from $249,000 to $299,000 and ranging in size from 800 to 1,250 square feet, the three single-family homes have one to three bedrooms and 1 to 2½ baths. They are expected to be available for September move-in.

The four duplex residences at Cottages at River Row will measure approximately 1,300 square feet and feature multiple outdoor spaces, including front porches and rear decks. Priced from $259,000, the duplexes have two bedrooms and 2½ baths. Construction will start later this summer, with expected move-in by late fall.

Construction is already underway on the new West Peninsula pool, which is expected to open during the current boating season. An adjacent pool house will feature restroom facilities for swimmers. The pool is the second of many pools that will be built within the resort’s different pocket neighborhoods as the development grows.

Barry noted this spring has already been busy at Heritage Harbor, with construction wrapping up for the development’s “Flite” series of contemporary townhomes. Additionally, the community’s on-site restaurant reopened last month as the Red Dog Grill. The redesigned restaurant features harbor-side dining and a menu of contemporary American grill cuisine.

“It’s an exciting time at Heritage Harbor as more and more people discover Starved Rock Country as a vacation-home destination, with so much to offer in the way of hiking, biking, water sports and more,” said Barry. “Heritage Harbor is designed to be the ideal home base for enjoying everything that makes this region so unique, and it’s very rewarding to see this community grow and give even more residents an amazing waterfront lifestyle.”

Heritage Harbor Ottawa features a full-service marina that can accommodate up to 450 wet slips. Open April 1 through October 31, the marina is equipped with a dual boat launch area, single-load floating docks, WiFi, fresh water, cable service, a full-service fuel dock, pump-out services, and car and trailer parking. Quest Water Sports’ Quest Express boating membership is available on site, giving participants access to a fleet of boating equipment for an annual fee.

For information on Heritage Harbor Ottawa Resort and available homes, call (815) 433-5000 or visit www.heritageharborottawa.com.

About Heritage Harbor Ottawa Resort
Heritage Harbor Ottawa Resort is a 142-acre master-planned marina resort community of 600 homes located on the Illinois River in Ottawa, Ill., just 90 minutes from downtown Chicago. Featuring a 32-acre marina surrounded by pocket neighborhoods of waterfront custom homes, condominiums, cottages and townhomes, Heritage Harbor Ottawa is a unique residential option in Starved Rock Country for those seeking a vacation, retirement or full-time home on the water. For more information, visit www.heritageharborottawa.com.