Charles Fanaro, of DWG Corp.
Charles “Chuck” Fanaro, founder of DWG Corporation, transformed the landscape of manufactured housing and senior community living in the late 1980s and early 1990s with his development of Saddlebrook Farms in Grayslake, Ill. Fanaro introduced a unique concept that combined manufactured housing, land leasing, and essential community services tailored to the needs of his target demographic.
Saddlebrook Farms stood out for its innovative use of high-quality HUD-code homes, placed on specially designed floating slabs and often positioned parallel to streets. He acquired Hi-Tech Housing to gain greater control over supply and to a process for interior drywall and eight-foot sidewalls, features many builders avoided because of concerns about cost and shipping damage. In addition to interior enhancements, Fanaro elevated exterior features with lap siding, attached garages, landscaping, and custom driveways. Saddlebrook Farms has grown into a thriving community with nearly 2,000 occupied homesites, offering a premier living experience for seniors.
The Legacy Award honors manufactured housing professionals whose overall career contributions are certain to create meaningful and lasting industry improvement and excellence
What do you believe are Legacy Award winner Charles Fanaro’s greatest achievements?
“Fanaro demonstrated that it is possible to elevate both the quality of life for residents and reduce their cost of living through a thoughtful and innovative approach to manufactured housing. He achieved this by integrating three key components: One, a carefully designed land plan featuring cul-de-sacs and curvilinear streets, enhanced with attractive landscaping and water features; two, high-quality factory-built homes that are virtually indistinguishable from site-built homes due to improved engineering and construction techniques; and three, a strong emphasis on community amenities, services, and effective management. His approach resulted in a mutually beneficial outcome for the developer, the resident, and the surrounding community.”
What are the award winner’s personal skills or character traits that you feel have contributed most to these successes?
“Charles’s success can be attributed to a combination of his visionary leadership, perseverance, and strong moral compass. When faced with numerous challenges — ranging from local resistance to obstacles in securing support from manufacturers, lenders, and consumers — he remained committed to his vision. His deep understanding of the target market, unwavering belief in the potential of his concept, and dedication to delivering results set him apart. He built a strong team, filled the community with residents who valued the offering, and consistently upheld his personal values of fairness, integrity, and reliability.”
— Mary Ann Andersen, head of operations, sales, and marketing for DWG Corp. (now a division of Hometown America)
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