Wow! Welcome to Illinois’ most expensive old house listing! The gardens are absolutely stunning! The house was built in 1904. It is located on 8.68 acres in Lake Forest, Illinois. It has quite a noted history, but I was more drawn to the gardens and to learn that the previous owner (now deceased), Kennetha Krehbiel, was a lady with a passion for gardening. Her gardens have been featured in magazines and books, and have been visited by thousands. She established one of America’s most significant gardens. Eight bedrooms, ten bathrooms and 11,787 square feet. $14,975,000
From the Zillow listing:
Once in a lifetime opportunity to own one of the most coveted estates in the Midwest with a main house, attached coachhouse, guest house, pool, pool house, conservatory, and awe-inspiring gardens with 21 “rooms” spanning almost 9 acres, near Lake Michigan! This magnificent brick Georgian home was designed by noted architect Benjamin H. Marshall in 1904. He was an influential Chicago architect of the roaring 20’s, most remembered for designing the Drake Hotel. The house was built for Mr. and Mrs. John T. Pirie. Mr. Pirie was president and heir to Carson, Pirie Scott & Company. The current owners purchased the estate from Laurance H. Armour, Jr. in 1988. The facade of the house reflects the Prairie School of architecture, with its row of wide windows, portico and three-story gable, with an Italianate influence featuring Tuscan columns and bowed windows. The spectacular landscape was designed in the 1920’s by Rose Standish Nichols. This fabulous estate includes a breathtaking expanse of bentgrass lawns, majestic trees and a series of 21 awe-inspiring outdoor “rooms,” most of which were created by the current owners who engaged prominent landscape architects throughout the development of the gardens. After the current homeowners took possession in 1988, they proceeded with a decade long house and garden renovation and expansion of remarkable stewardship enhancing the property to its current state of splendor. In the mid 90’s two neighboring properties on Mayflower were purchased allowing for the expansion of the gardens and the addition of the pool house, pool and guest house. They extended the gardens well beyond the historic landscape plan employing the highest quality and nationally recognized architectural and landscape professionals, preserving its historical character and recreating a classic Lake Forest estate. The expansion in 2008 was the most important event in the history of local country places in 60 years and significantly elevated the architectural quality of this section of Mayflower Road. There is elevator access to all four levels of the main house. The landscape is the collaboration of many including Tom and Kirsten Beeby, New York Garden Estate Landscape Architect & Designer Deborah Nevins, and local landscape architects Frank Mariani, Craig Bergmann, and P. Clifford Miller. The most important influence was the owner’s passion and creative talent for gardening, as well as their love of nature that was the driving force behind this extraordinary one-of-a-kind landscape. There is arguably no other property like this in the country with its array of captivating garden rooms, lush, wooded ravine garden, exquisite millefleur seasonal garden beds and long-term mixed plantings, perfectly manicured hedges, majestic trees, espalier trees, and captivating beauty at every turn that brings inner peace, inspiration and exuberance showing that even in Chicago’s diverse climate it is possible to have a wonderful English garden. The owner’s passion for gardening and beauty is evident throughout this magnificent, meticulously maintained estate. Incredibly rare opportunity to own a one-of-a-kind Country House era estate in the heart of east Lake Forest near Lake Michigan and all that downtown Lake Forest offers.
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