Wondering which home style makes the most sense in Chatham Hills? That question matters more here than in many communities, because Chatham Hills is not built around just one type of home. If you are comparing privacy, yard size, maintenance, golf access, and overall lifestyle in Westfield, this guide will help you sort through the main options and choose with more confidence. Let’s dive in.
Why home style matters here
Chatham Hills opened in 2014 and is known as one of Westfield’s premier private golf communities, built around Pete Dye’s final on-site course design. The community also offers a broad amenity package that includes golf, pools, fitness, tennis, pickleball, bowling, dining, trails, and access to the Monon Trail. That lifestyle is a big draw, but the way you experience it can look very different depending on the home style you choose.
Unlike communities that offer a narrow range of floor plans, Chatham Hills includes both production and custom builders. Current offerings and model homes have included names like Lennar, David Weekley, Foxlane, Integra, AR Homes, Sigma, Wedgewood, and Old Town Design Group. That variety gives you options, but it also means you need to understand the differences between sections before you decide where to focus.
Estate homes in Chatham Hills
If you want the most space, privacy, and customization, the estate category usually deserves your attention first. This part of Chatham Hills includes sections such as Chatham Ridge, The Ridge at Chatham Hills, and Chatham Pointe. Official community information describes large lots, wooded settings, on-course opportunities, varied topography, and in some areas gated privacy.
Lot sizes in these estate-oriented sections can range from about 0.4 to 1.3 acres, with some final single-family lots reaching roughly 1.2 acres. Public listings also show how broad the size range can be, from a ranch around 4,942 square feet to homes over 7,600 and even 9,600 square feet. In practical terms, this is true luxury-scale housing, not just a slightly larger version of the rest of the neighborhood.
For many buyers, the appeal is simple. You get more room for entertaining, more separation from neighbors, and more opportunity to prioritize views, architecture, and custom finishes. If your goal is to create a highly personalized home in one of the most distinctive sections of the community, this is often the strongest fit.
What to expect from estate living
Estate homes usually come with the highest level of exterior responsibility in the current Chatham Hills lineup. Larger lots typically mean more lawn, more landscaping, and more overall upkeep. If you love space and privacy, that tradeoff may feel well worth it.
These homes can also offer some of the most dramatic settings in the community. Depending on the lot, you may find wooded backdrops, golf course views, or elevated sightlines across the course and surrounding landscape. If setting matters just as much as square footage, estate sections stand out.
Executive-style detached homes
If you want a detached home that feels substantial but not oversized, the executive-style category can be a smart middle ground. In current public inventory, the closest match is the Chatham Village Executive Collection. These homes are described as side-load-garage homes on 90-foot homesites, which places them between the smaller cottage options and the larger estate sections.
This is where some buyers use the term "golf villa," but it helps to define that carefully. In Chatham Hills, that phrase works better as a lifestyle shorthand than a formal neighborhood name. The current public naming is more focused on collections like Executive and Cottage rather than a separate villa district.
Pricing and size in this tier reflect that in-between position. Current examples have ranged from roughly $870,990 to $1,235,140, with one plan example around 3,668 square feet. That gives you a detached-home feel with more presence and privacy than a townhome or smaller-lot home, while staying more manageable than a full estate property.
Who executive homes tend to suit
This category often works well if you want a luxury home feel without taking on the largest lot in the community. You may still get strong curb appeal, comfortable living space, and a more private setting than the smaller product lines. At the same time, the overall exterior burden is typically more moderate than what you would expect on estate lots.
For many buyers, this is the sweet spot. You can keep the detached-home lifestyle, enjoy a more refined footprint, and avoid paying for space or land you do not plan to use. That balance is a big reason this tier attracts attention.
Cottage homes in Chatham Village
The Cottage Collection is the clearest smaller-lot detached option in Chatham Hills right now. These homes sit on 50-foot homesites with alley-load garages, and current community details show a range of about 2,022 to 4,346 square feet. Pricing has started around $619,990, which places cottages below the executive tier while still offering a sizable home in a luxury community.
The word "cottage" can be misleading if you picture something tiny. In Chatham Hills, these homes can still offer plenty of room, with current details showing 2 to 5 bedrooms and 2 to 4 baths. A current public example at 19925 Tomlinson Road shows more than 4,000 square feet and even a golf-cart garage, which is a good reminder that smaller lot does not necessarily mean small lifestyle.
Chatham Village also brings a more social, connected layout. The section is positioned immediately west of the clubhouse entrance and is designed around front-porch, alley-load living. If you like the idea of being closer to activity and shared spaces, this part of the community may feel especially appealing.
Lifestyle advantages of cottages
Cottages usually make sense if you want a detached home with a more manageable yard and a village-style setting. Compared with estate homes, the lot size is smaller and the exterior demands are generally lighter. That can be a real benefit if you would rather spend more time enjoying the club and less time thinking about outdoor upkeep.
There is also an important membership detail here. In Chatham Village, a Sport and Social Membership is included with a new home or homesite purchase, while Premier Golf Membership is not automatically included. If golf access is a top priority for you, it is worth understanding that difference early in your search.
Townhomes at Chatham
If your top priority is a lower-maintenance home style, The Towns at Chatham may be the strongest option. This is the attached-home offering in the current Chatham Hills mix. Public builder information describes townhomes near a scenic 12-acre lake, with 3-bedroom plans, 2 to 3 baths, 2-car garages, and roughly 2,073 to 2,295 square feet.
Current builder pricing has ranged from about $490,995 to $542,995. Plans include multi-level layouts with flex space, balconies, and basement or bonus areas. That gives you a more compact footprint, but still with features that can support work, hobbies, guests, or everyday flexibility.
Like Chatham Village, The Towns at Chatham includes a Sport and Social Membership to The Club at Chatham Hills. So even though the housing form is more compact and attached, the amenity connection remains strong. For some buyers, that combination is exactly the point.
Why townhomes appeal to many buyers
Townhomes are generally the lightest exterior-maintenance option in Chatham Hills today. Because they are attached and more compact, they usually involve less yard and less exterior responsibility than the detached product types. If convenience is high on your list, this option deserves a serious look.
This style can also be a good fit if you want to enter Chatham Hills at a lower price point than many detached options. You still get the community identity, the club connection, and a thoughtful floor plan, but in a format that may feel simpler to manage day to day.
Comparing maintenance and lifestyle
One of the easiest ways to compare home styles in Chatham Hills is to think in terms of maintenance. Relative to one another, townhomes are generally the lightest option. Cottages tend to be low to moderate, executive-style detached homes fall in the middle, and estate or custom homes usually require the most exterior care because of their larger lots and more extensive landscaping.
That comparison is based on product type and homesite size, not a single published maintenance chart for the whole community. Still, it gives you a useful working framework. If you know how much time and effort you want to put into exterior upkeep, you can narrow your search faster.
Lifestyle is the other major filter. Some buyers want privacy, expansive views, and room to customize. Others want easier upkeep, a more social streetscape, or quick access to shared amenities. Chatham Hills can support all of those priorities, but usually not in the same section.
Do not assume golf is included
This is one of the biggest points of confusion for buyers. Because Chatham Hills is a golf community, many people assume full golf membership comes with any home purchase. That is not necessarily the case.
Public information for Chatham Village and The Towns at Chatham states that a Sport and Social Membership is included. The official membership information also notes that Premier Golf Membership is limited and subject to availability. If golf is central to your decision, this is something to verify before you fall in love with a specific home style or section.
How to choose the right fit
The best home style usually comes down to a few practical questions. Start with how much space you truly want, then think about how much exterior work you are comfortable managing. After that, consider whether you care more about privacy and customization or about convenience and proximity to social activity.
A simple way to frame it looks like this:
- Estate homes if you want maximum space, views, privacy, and customization
- Executive-style homes if you want a detached luxury home with a balanced footprint
- Cottages if you want a smaller-lot detached home with village character
- Townhomes if you want the most manageable exterior lifestyle and are comfortable with attached living
If you are weighing multiple options in Chatham Hills, the details matter. Lot width, garage style, home placement, section layout, and membership structure can all shape your daily experience more than you might expect. Working through those differences early can save you time and help you focus on the homes that truly fit the way you want to live.
Choosing a home style in Chatham Hills is about more than square footage. It is about matching your space, maintenance, and lifestyle goals to the right part of the community. If you want expert guidance on Chatham Hills homes, custom opportunities, or current inventory in Westfield, connect with Mike Deck.
FAQs
What home styles are available in Chatham Hills Westfield?
- Chatham Hills currently includes estate or custom homes, executive-style detached homes, cottage homes in Chatham Village, and townhomes at The Towns at Chatham.
What is the difference between cottages and estate homes in Chatham Hills?
- Cottages generally sit on 50-foot homesites with a more manageable yard and village-style layout, while estate homes are on much larger lots and offer more privacy, customization, and overall square footage.
Are townhomes in Chatham Hills lower maintenance?
- Yes, townhomes are generally the lightest exterior-maintenance option in the current Chatham Hills lineup because they are attached and more compact.
Is golf membership included with a home in Chatham Hills?
- Not automatically in every case. Chatham Village and The Towns at Chatham commonly include a Sport and Social Membership, while Premier Golf Membership is separate, limited, and subject to availability.
Which Chatham Hills section is closest to the clubhouse?
- Chatham Village is immediately west of the clubhouse entrance and is designed around a more connected village setting, while estate sections generally lean more toward privacy and views.
What does golf villa mean in Chatham Hills?
- In this community, golf villa is best understood as a general lifestyle or size category for a more manageable detached home, not as a formal neighborhood name used consistently in current public inventory.