This Is What It Looks Like to Have It All in Downers Grove

There is a version of suburban life that a lot of buyers talk about but rarely find. Good schools. A real neighborhood feel. A private yard. A home that works the way you actually live. And a location that keeps everything within reach without putting you in the middle of everything.

1638 Virginia Street in Burlington Highlands is that version. Three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a fully finished basement, nearly half an acre of fenced yard, and a 2026 renovation that left virtually nothing untouched - all in one of Downers Grove's most beloved and established neighborhoods.

But before I walk you through the home, I want to talk about where it sits. Because in real estate, location is everything, and this one deserves its own conversation.

Burlington Highlands: A Neighborhood That Takes Care of Its Own

Burlington Highlands is the kind of neighborhood that real estate agents talk about when buyers ask where people actually want to live. The streets are quiet and tree-lined. The lots are generous. The neighbors know each other. And the location is genuinely hard to beat.

Doerhoefer Park is just blocks away - a full community park with tennis courts, baseball fields, walking trails, and open green space. It is the kind of park that families build their weekends around, and the kind that makes you feel grateful every time you drive past it.

The Metra BNSF line puts downtown Chicago under an hour away on a comfortable commute. Oakbrook Center is minutes to the east. Downtown Downers Grove, with its restaurants, coffee shops, and community events, is close enough to feel like yours. The expressway access is straightforward without the noise.

This is a location where you do not have to choose between convenience and calm. You get both.

Belle Aire Elementary: What Parents Should Actually Know

When families look at this home, Belle Aire Elementary comes up in every conversation. One feature of the school is worth understanding before you visit, and that is the building design. My kids attended Belle Aire and I served as PTA president, so I can speak to it firsthand.

Belle Aire is an open concept school. That means most classrooms do not have traditional walls. Open learning spaces are built on either side of the school's central Learning Center, with high dividers creating defined zones rather than enclosed rooms. It is a design that has been in place since the school opened in 1969 and is central to how learning is structured there.

In terms of the experience, teachers at the junior high level have noted that Belle Aire students tend to develop strong focus skills, crediting the open environment with building the ability to tune out background activity and stay on task. The design places a degree of ownership on each student to manage their own attention. Research on open concept classrooms points to benefits in collaboration, self-management, and engagement, while also noting that acoustic management and the adjustment period are factors teachers work through. One parent who reviewed the school observed that since most adults work in open office environments anyway, the model mirrors what kids will encounter later in life.

As with any school design, the experience varies by student. Some families note the environment requires an adjustment period, particularly for younger children, while others report their kids settled in quickly and thrived.

Belle Aire is a school with a distinct identity and a dedicated staff. A visit and a conversation with current parents is the best way to get a full picture.

From Belle Aire, students move to Herrick Middle School and then to Downers Grove North High School in District 99. It is one of the most respected school progressions in the western suburbs.

The Home Itself: Updated Where It Counts

Built in 1956, this is a home that has been genuinely reimagined rather than lightly refreshed. The list of updates is substantial and it matters for both appraisers and buyers.

The kitchen is brand new in 2026: white shaker cabinetry with dovetail joinery and soft-close hardware, double lazy Susans, a pantry with pull-out shelves, quartz countertops, and a full Frigidaire stainless appliance suite. The main floor bathroom has been fully refreshed with a new tub-shower combination, granite vanity top, and new faucet. Newer commercial-grade luxury vinyl plank flooring runs throughout most of the main level. Fresh paint, updated outlets and switches, new blinds with white trim, and custom stained doors on the main floor round out the interior updates. The driveway is brand new asphalt.

The layout flows the way a ranch should. The foyer opens into an L-shaped living and dining area anchored by a stone fireplace. The kitchen sits separately but connected. The primary bedroom is privately positioned on the north side with windows on three walls, custom wire closet organizers, and a door opening directly to the deck. Two additional bedrooms on the east side each have lighted ceiling fans and custom closet organizers.

The Yard and the Basement: Two Genuine Bonuses

The backyard on nearly half an acre is fully fenced with mature trees and a large deck off the primary bedroom. Private lots of this size are genuinely uncommon in this part of Downers Grove, and this one delivers the kind of outdoor space that families use every day, not just on special occasions.

Downstairs, the finished basement adds real square footage and real flexibility. A second stone fireplace anchors the family room. The basement bathroom has a step-in shower and a room heater. The laundry room includes a built-in folding table. An unfinished attic with an interior staircase provides bonus storage that most buyers are surprised to find.

The Practical Details

Three bedrooms, two bathrooms. 1,364 square feet above grade plus 924 finished square feet in the lower level, totaling 2,532 finished square feet. Attached two-car garage. District 58 and District 99 schools. Taxes of $7,743.56 annually with no exemptions currently applied.

A Final Word

If you have questions about 1638 Virginia Street or would like to schedule a showing, I would love to connect.

Reach me at 630.435.3585, [email protected], or at soldbytully.com.

Shanon Tully is a licensed real estate broker and leads The Tully Team at Platinum Partners Realtors in Downers Grove, Illinois. She provides exceptional concierge real estate services throughout the Chicagoland area with a focus on the western suburbs. A residential listing specialist, Shanon holds several professional designations including SRS, PSA, RENE, SRES, CSC, and ABR. Her kids attended Belle Aire Elementary School, where she also served as PTA president. She can be reached at 630.435.3585 or [email protected] or at soldbytully.com. The above references an opinion and is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be financial, legal, or tax advice. Consult the appropriate professionals for advice regarding your individual needs.