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The affluent city of Lake Forest, IL—33 miles north of Chicago and hugging Lake Michigan—has always been a haven for pricey real estate.
But a new listing takes the cake because it’s the most expensive in all of Illinois.
Listed for $27,500,000 with Ann Lyon and Kim Campbell, of @properties, the estate’s pedigree includes a connection to the storied Rockefeller family.
While the current structures on the property were built over the past decade, a boathouse on the 5.27-acre parcel links back to Harold F. McCormick and Edith Rockefeller McCormick, the daughter of Standard Oil co-founder John D. Rockefeller. They owned the property (called Villa Turicum) during the early 1900s, but their estate was later demolished.
This glam staircase is just past the home’s foyer.
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An entire wall in the dining room provides a view of Lake Michigan.
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The kitchen is stocked with high-end appliances.
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Much of the home is designed to capture Lake Michigan views.
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Crafted from stone and brick—and flaunting a slate roof plus copper gutters and downspouts—the 15,000-square-foot house was finished in 2019. Guests enter through a gorgeous limestone foyer flanked by a dramatic curved staircase. High ceilings and Marvin windows coax in natural light throughout the home.
Smart-house technology and geothermal heating are already installed, making this an energy-efficient home. There are six bedrooms, nine baths, and an elevator that services all four levels.
Renowned designer Christopher Peacock created the kitchen, where Bahia granite countertops, refrigerator drawers, and high-end appliances (La Cornue, Miele, and Sub-Zero) await a serious home chef or catering team.
From the primary suite, you’ll see views of Lake Michigan, particularly from a private bluestone balcony, along with two custom closets and a wet bar. In the adjacent bath is a frameless steam shower and soaking tub (also serving up lake views) and a gold-leaf, barrel-vault ceiling. Two of the other bedrooms also have private balconies and all are en suite.
Other spaces in the home include a wine cellar, library, billiard room, and 16-seat theater.
The wine cellar is large enough to host a wine-paired dinner.
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The movie theater can seat 16 people.
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The billiard room is a cozy space to entertain during the cooler months.
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The three garages combined hold up to 22 cars, with this garage accommodating 16 cars.
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Another unique feature is the outdoor access: 570 feet of Lake Michigan frontage includes a protected cove beach and two boat launches.
Meanwhile, there’s also an outdoor pool (with a diving board) and a spa accented by a fountain. Two fire bowls, an outdoor kitchen, and bluestone terraces with three loggias (one with a fireplace and TV) make this an ideal spot to host guests.
Suited for a frequent entertainer or a collector of classic cars, the three garages can hold a 22 vehicles combined. One of those garages has space for up to 16 vehicles.
The state’s second-most expensive listing also can be found in Lake Forest, a town with a median list price of $1.5 million. That property—also a waterfront estate—is on the market for $7.6 million less than this one.
