Shining Waters
More than 700 homes around a chain of lakes — Carol Stream, Illinois
Shining Waters is an established single-family neighborhood in Carol Stream, Illinois, spread across more than 700 homes between North Avenue, County Farm Road and Route 59. Lakes and ponds run through it — including a 14-acre lake in the newest section — and the homes back onto mature trees rather than open field, because most of them have been standing for forty years.
It is not one subdivision so much as three, built by different companies over roughly a decade. That is the single most useful thing to know before you buy or sell here: a Shining Waters address does not describe a single kind of house. Sizes run from about 1,700 to more than 2,700 square feet, and which phase a home sits in explains most of the difference.
Detached homes only, and no homeowners association — not one Shining Waters listing in the current MLS data carries an assessment.
Nearby Amenities
- Evergreen Lakes Park
- Stonebridge Park
- Walter Park
- Homestead Park
- Neighborhood lakes and ponds
- North Avenue, County Farm Road & Route 59
The Original Kennedy Homes
The first and largest part of Shining Waters, begun around 1976 by the Kennedy Co. and aimed at first- and second-time buyers. These are the ranches, raised ranches and bi-levels on the established interior streets, generally at the smaller end of the neighborhood’s size range.
- Ranch, raised ranch and bi-level plans
- Three and four bedrooms
- Attached two-car garages
- The most affordable entry point in Shining Waters
The Chateaux of Shining Waters
The second phase, opened around 1979 by Kennedy/Parsons, Inc. for move-up buyers. Roughly 147 homesites on 30 acres, with lots generally 80 by 125 feet or larger and some lakefront. This is where the biggest houses in the neighborhood are — five plans from about 2,150 to 2,730 square feet.
- Larger move-up floor plans
- Approx. 2,150–2,730 sq ft
- Lots generally 80×125 ft or larger
- Some lakefront homesites
The Shores of Shining Waters
The newest section, developed around 1983 by Moskal Development Corp. of Glenview around a 14-acre lake. Seven plans were offered — two-story colonials, bi-levels, ranches and raised ranches, generally three or four bedrooms with an attached two-car garage.
- Built around the 14-acre lake
- Seven original floor plans
- Three and four bedrooms
- The newest construction in the subdivision
Shining Waters at a Glance
| Builders | Kennedy Co. · Kennedy/Parsons · Moskal Development |
| Homes built | 1977–1986 |
| Size of community | More than 700 homes |
| Property type | Detached single-family |
| Typical size | Approx. 1,700–2,700+ sq ft |
| Bedrooms | 3–4 bedrooms |
| Association dues | None |
| Schools | Evergreen Elementary, Benjamin Middle, Community High School – West Chicago |
| Recent closed sales | 7 |
| Median sale price | $445,000 |
| Average days on market | 16 |
Sales figures are MRED MLS closed transactions. Sizes are medians of what has been listed. School boundaries should be verified for any individual property.
Shining Waters Neighborhood Map
Click either image to view full size in a new tab.
The History of Shining Waters
Three builders over ten years produced one neighborhood of more than 700 homes. Resales here have recently run $360,000–$500,000, the highest median of any top-selling Carol Stream subdivision.
Range covers 7 recent MRED closings — a small sample, so read it as a range rather than a trend.
The Kennedy Co. started building Shining Waters around 1976, marketing it to first- and second-time buyers. The company later operated as Kennedy/Parsons, Inc. and Parsons Homes, Inc., and in August 1980 construction stopped when the builder ran into financial trouble — leaving finished streets alongside houses that were not finished at all.
Around 1983, Moskal Development Corp. of Glenview bought and completed 36 unfinished Shining Waters homes that Kennedy had started — ranches, bi-levels and two-story colonials. Moskal then developed a new section of its own. The subdivision was largely complete by the mid-1980s. For the wider story of how Carol Stream grew around it, see our history of Carol Stream.
The Chateaux of Shining Waters — 1979
Kennedy/Parsons opened the Chateaux as the second phase, aimed at move-up buyers. A June 1979 account described roughly 147 planned homesites on 30 acres, lots generally 80 by 125 feet or larger, and some lakefront sites. Five models were documented.
The Brookshire — approx. 2,150 sq ft
The entry plan of the Chateaux series, and still larger than most of the original Kennedy homes on the older streets.
The Lincolnshire — approx. 2,219 sq ft
A step up from the Brookshire in the same series.
The Lakeshire — approx. 2,270 sq ft
Named for the lakefront homesites the Chateaux phase was able to offer.
The Berkshire — approx. 2,550 sq ft
One of the two largest plans offered anywhere in Shining Waters.
The Devonshire — approx. 2,730 sq ft
The largest documented model in the subdivision.
The Shores of Shining Waters — 1983
Moskal Development built the Shores around a 14-acre lake and offered seven different home plans — a mix of two-story colonials, bi-levels, ranches and raised ranches, generally with three or four bedrooms and an attached two-car garage. One model is documented by name.
The Vail
A three-bedroom raised ranch with 1½ baths and a finished lower-level family room.
This history is the practical part of buying or selling in Shining Waters. Knowing whether a house is an original Kennedy home, one of the 36 that Moskal finished, a Chateaux move-up plan or a Shores home on the lake explains far more about its size, age and value than the subdivision name alone ever will — and it is the kind of detail that gets missed when a home is priced off neighborhood averages.
Sources: Chicago Tribune, November 18, 1978, p. 76; June 2, 1979, p. 59; November 19, 1982, p. 147; and April 15, 1983, p. 26. Model names, sizes and phase details are as published in the builders’ own advertising and Tribune reporting at the time, and are historical only. Floor plan availability and lot details have changed since — confirm specifics for any individual property, and attendance boundaries with the district, before you buy.
Homeowners Association
Shining Waters is detached single-family homes with no homeowners association. No Shining Waters listing in the current MLS data carries a monthly assessment. Owners maintain their own lots, and there are no association rules on pets, rentals or exterior changes.
Based on Garry Real Estate’s review of past transactions and current MLS listings. A small number of homes back onto shared water or open space that may carry separate obligations. Confirm with the seller and the title company before making a purchase decision.
Homes for Sale in Shining Waters
Live MLS listings. If nothing is showing, there is nothing on the market in Shining Waters today — tell us what you are looking for and we will call you the day one lists.
Recently Sold in Shining Waters
Closed sales from the past 2 years — the number that matters when you are pricing an offer or a listing.
More Carol Stream Real Estate Resources
📞 (630) 310-8315 · Dave: (630) 992-3283 · Candy: (630) 992-5477
