East Highlands is a 1950s subdivision south of downtown Naperville, bounded on the west by the DuPage River, where original ranches and split-levels now sit next to much larger rebuilt custom homes. If you own a home in East Highlands and are thinking about selling, the things that matter most are which kind of house you have (original or rebuilt), what your lot offers, and having your records and school details ready before buyers ask.

By Jake Kilts, HomeSmart Realty Group · Updated October 2026

Key takeaways

  • East Highlands (also called Moser Highlands) was started by developer Harold Moser in 1954, and most of its original homes went up in the 1950s.
  • A 2022 preservation survey found that more than half of the original homes had been replaced with much larger houses, so the neighborhood now has two distinct kinds of homes for sale.
  • The area is in Naperville Community Unit School District 203; Highlands Elementary is on South Brainard Street. Confirm any home’s assigned schools by address with the district.
  • Before listing, gather permits, survey and lot details, and any history of your home’s design. Buyers of both original and rebuilt homes will want these details.

Where is East Highlands in Naperville and what’s nearby?

East Highlands sits south of downtown Naperville. The Chicago Tribune described it in 2022 as roughly bounded by Prairie Avenue on the north, Burr Oak Park on the south, Columbia Street on the east and the DuPage River on the west.

Two Park District parks are close by. Veterans Park (303 E. Gartner Road) has trails, parking and a segment of the DuPage River Trail running through it. Burr Oak Park (432 Villa Avenue) has basketball courts, picnic shelters, a playground and trails, and its sidewalk connects to the DuPage River Trail.

For commuters, the Naperville Metra station at 105 E. 4th Ave. is on the BNSF line. The City of Naperville’s train station access page notes that parking is paid on weekdays from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. and free on evenings and weekends.

What are the homes like in East Highlands?

East Highlands homes fall into two groups: original 1950s midcentury houses (mostly split-levels and ranches) and newer, much larger custom homes built on the same lots after teardowns.

Harold Moser started the East Highlands in 1954 and, according to a Daily Herald report on the preservation survey, hired eight different builders to avoid monotony. Landmarks Illinois describes the subdivision as Naperville’s first full subdivision, with Midcentury Modern homes built from 1954 to 1958 on large lots, including work by builder Don Tosi. The Chicago Tribune notes that Tosi was known for his trademark orange front doors.

The neighborhood has changed a lot since then. In 2022, Naperville Preservation Inc. hired Chicago consultants Preservation Futures to survey every home. The Daily Herald reported that more than half of the original homes (233) had been demolished and replaced with much larger homes, and that the surviving originals included 107 split-levels and 92 ranches. The same report notes that the new houses average about 3,000 square feet more than the originals, while the lot lines stay the same.

If your home is…Details to have ready
An original 1950s ranch or split-levelLot size and shape, condition of the systems, whether the design is intact, and what could be built or added
A rebuilt custom homeFinishes, layout, permits and final inspections, builder warranties, and how the house sits on the lot

Which school district serves East Highlands?

East Highlands is served by Naperville Community Unit School District 203. Highlands Elementary School, at 525 S. Brainard Street, serves kindergarten through fifth grade. Kennedy Junior High’s feeder page says all Highlands students go on to Kennedy, and that Kennedy students then attend either Naperville Central or Naperville North High School.

Assignments are set by address, so check your home on District 203’s Boundaries & Maps page before you list it. Buyers who want school data can find it on the Illinois Report Card for Highlands Elementary and for Naperville CUSD 203.

Is there an HOA in East Highlands?

I couldn’t find a public website for a homeowners association covering East Highlands, so don’t assume buyers will get HOA documents the way they would in a newer subdivision. Before listing, look through your title policy and closing papers for any recorded covenants or association, so you can answer buyer and attorney questions right away.

Preservation is a separate question from an HOA. Landmarks Illinois says Naperville Preservation’s survey was aimed at possible local landmark designation for certain homes. If you own an original house, its history can be part of how you market it.

What should East Highlands owners do before listing?

Get your paperwork and lot details ready first, because original and rebuilt homes sit side by side here.

  1. Pull your survey and plat. Lot dimensions matter whether a buyer plans to keep the house or rebuild, so have them on hand.
  2. Gather permits and inspections. For a rebuilt or remodeled home, collect permits, final inspections and any builder or product warranties.
  3. Document your home’s history. If you have an original house, find out who built it and whether it appears in Naperville Preservation’s survey. Original plans or photos help too.
  4. Know what a builder would review. The City of Naperville publishes a Toolkit for Successful Redevelopment for teardown projects, and its residential demolition conditions list what a demolition permit requires. You don’t need to plan a teardown, but knowing the process helps you talk with every type of buyer.
  5. Confirm school assignments by address on District 203’s boundaries page.
  6. Get a pricing review based on your home and lot. Original homes and rebuilt homes sit side by side here, so a neighborhood-wide average won’t tell you much about yours.

For the bigger picture on selling at the top of the market here, see my guide to selling a luxury home in Naperville, the Naperville community page, and my comparison of what $1M buys in Naperville vs. Downers Grove vs. Lisle.

East Highlands FAQ

Is East Highlands the same as Moser Highlands?

Yes. The Chicago Tribune notes the neighborhood was formerly known as Moser Highlands, after developer Harold Moser, and the survey report, as the Daily Herald reported, is titled “Moser (East) Highlands.”

When were the original East Highlands homes built?

Moser started the subdivision in 1954, and Landmarks Illinois dates its Midcentury Modern homes to 1954 through 1958. Rebuilt homes on the same lots are much newer.

Are East Highlands homes landmarked?

Being in East Highlands doesn’t make a home a landmark. The 2022 survey was meant to support possible local landmark designation for certain homes, so check with the City of Naperville about any specific property.

What trails are close to East Highlands?

The DuPage River Trail runs through Veterans Park on Gartner Road, and the sidewalk at Burr Oak Park connects to it, according to the Naperville Park District.

Thinking about selling in East Highlands?

Original and rebuilt homes sit side by side in East Highlands, so the price for your home depends on your house and your lot, not a neighborhood average. Request a Private Pricing Review for a private look at what your home could sell for. You can also reach me here or call 630-487-1896.

Jake Kilts, HomeSmart Realty Group · 630-487-1896

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