Tara Designer Homes - A History

Tara Designer Homes, developer of luxurious custom homes, was founded by Adel and Anthony Tarakdjian in 2002. The brothers learned their art in the construction of luxury hotels and housing developments - in Scottsdale, Arizona, and Naples and Marco Island Florida - and brought it to Chicago's Gold Coast and North Shore.

In addition to the fine points of quality craftsmanship and their natural attentiveness to detail, they brought the ability to listen and act for the benefit of their clients. Continuing attention to their satisfaction is unparalleled.

"Attention to detail separates a good home from a great home," says Adel. "The difference between a good home and a spectacular one is, and always will be, the products used, the artistry of the craftsmen working with these products, and the pride and dream of the person or people supervising and creating the project."

"Adel and his people understood our vision and the strictures of the site," says the owner of a recently completed Tara home who has substantial experience in rehabbing houses. "He handled everything. When I started to worry, Adel said, 'It's my job to be stressed.' He made the project an absolute pleasure from start to finish."

Tara's houses combine state-of-the-art electronics (wireless computer access, global control systems) and appliances with old-world craft and elegance, and respect for the building's place in its environment.

Unique to Tara are the three guarantees it makes to its clients:
• That the house will be completed on time or Tara will pay living expenses until it is.
• That cost will never exceed the project's agreed on budget.
• That the structure, frame and foundation of the house are fully waranteed for its original owner.

"People's biggest fears when building a home are 'What if it takes longer than we thought?' 'What if it goes over budget?' and 'What if something happens after we move in?'" Adel says. "I took these fears and asked myself, 'How would I want to be treated?' and the answer are guarantees that really mean something. I treat people the way I would want to be treated."

"There's nobody who does a home of this magnitude in six to eight months," says a second client. "He's unbelievable when it comes to delivering. His homes are fabulous in terms of fit and finish. He has incredible people working for him."

On one recent project, the number of people who worked on it topped 1,000, and they were of 26 national and ethnic backgrounds. Adel is on site regularly, making sure work meets Tara's high standards.

Adel was born in Cairo. His mother is half-Egyptian and half Greek and his father is half Armenian and half French. He grew up in France and traveled extensively. As he grew up, he went into the hospitality industry, eventually managing some of the finest hotels in the world. He also earned a master's degree in economics.

Adel moved to Chicago in 1980. He entered the banking business and worked at several banks and became a senior vice president at Broadway Bank and corporate vice president at First Bank of Oak Park before going full time into real estate in 1993. Over the next nine years, he oversaw 22 elegant hotels and was instrumental in opening Chicago's Peninsula.

As it completes its fifth year as a business, Tara can boast completing 22 houses and is working on five more around Chicagoland.