Set just off Lake Michigan in east Lake Forest, this $14,975,000 estate spans 11,787 square feet and includes 8 bedrooms, 10 bathrooms, and nearly 9 acres of landscaped grounds. Designed in 1904 by Benjamin H. Marshall—renowned architect of the Drake Hotel—and expanded in 1996 by Thomas Beeby, the main house was originally built for department store heir John T. Pirie.
Elevator access connects all four levels of the main house, which features interiors by Colefax & Fowler, Berger Jewell flooring, and a sweeping bifurcated staircase rising to a mezzanine library.
The property also features an attached coach house, guest house, conservatory, pool, pool house, and a remarkable series of 21 outdoor garden “rooms,” shaped over decades by noted landscape architects including Rose Standish Nichols, Deborah Nevins, and Craig Bergmann.
A decade-long restoration involved the purchase of adjoining land and the creation of an extraordinary landscape and architectural ensemble. The gardens—layered with millefleur beds, espalier trees, and wooded ravines—are as carefully orchestrated as the architecture, offering a rare harmony between house and land that reflects generations of stewardship and vision.
Where is Lake Forest, IL?
Lake Forest sits along the western shore of Lake Michigan, about 30 miles north of downtown Chicago, offering a scenic and serene escape with easy city access via Metra rail and highways. The town is known for its tree-lined streets, historic architecture, and expansive lakefront parks that lend it a quiet elegance. With a strong sense of community, top-ranked schools, and preserved green space, it attracts those seeking both refinement and natural beauty in daily life.
Front Entrance
Centered under a classical portico, the front entry is framed by symmetrical shrubs and climbing ivy on red brick. Tall divided-light windows flank the blue double doors. The pathway is paved in stone and leads directly to the interior foyer.
Foyer
At the base of a split staircase, the foyer features floral wallpaper, a green carpet runner, and a pair of wooden benches along each wall. Framed paintings and crown molding enhance the space’s formal tone. The staircase curves upward with white spindles and dark handrails leading to the upper level.
Living Room
Opening into a large space with yellow walls, the formal living room includes upholstered chairs, a fireplace, and framed mirror above the mantel. Natural light floods the room through a wide bay window and French doors. Two floral rugs and polished wood flooring define the sitting zones.
Garden Room
Surrounded by full-height windows, the garden room connects directly to the patio through sliding glass doors. Light-colored upholstered seating is arranged around a central coffee table, beneath a bronze chandelier. Drapes frame the windows and coordinate with the neutral decor.
Dining Room
Anchored by a long rectangular table with dark wood chairs, the formal dining room is defined by its deep red walls and crown molding. Two doorways connect to the kitchen and another dining area. A traditional rug and antique sideboards accent the space.
Breakfast Room
Surrounded by curved bay windows, the breakfast room has a smaller round table and light dining chairs arranged over a pink floral rug. The tile flooring and floral wallpaper lend a cottage-like feel. Views into the garden create a sense of openness.
Media Lounge
Centered around a built-in bookshelf and entertainment unit, the media room is lined with fern-printed wallpaper. Neutral-toned sofas and a striped area rug set a casual mood. Framed artwork and a table lamp flank the main sitting area.
Upper Landing
At the top of the staircase, the upper landing mirrors the foyer below with the same floral wallpaper and carpet runner. A chandelier hangs overhead, and the space opens into several rooms. A mirror and sconces enhance the sense of symmetry and balance.
Library
Looking out over the foyer from double doors, the library is lined floor-to-ceiling with shelves filled with books. Patterned sofas and a leather armchair are arranged around a wood coffee table. A large desk sits to the side beneath framed sketches and a globe lamp.
Bedroom
Spread across a large room with soft blue walls, the primary bedroom includes a canopy bed, armchairs, and a marble fireplace. Light filters in through three windows with coordinated curtains. Upholstered seating and antique furnishings complete the suite.
Bedroom
Wrapped in patterned red wallpaper, the red bedroom features a plush white bed between two windows with matching drapes. A decorative mirror and Asian-inspired accent piece are mounted on the wall near the entrance. Carpeted floors and floral upholstery contribute to a traditional style.
Bedroom
Framed by light blue walls, the blue bedroom holds a padded headboard, classic wood nightstands, and vintage chests of drawers. A white area rug softens the hardwood flooring beneath. Multiple windows bring in garden views and natural daylight.
Bedroom
With beige walls and floral accents, the garden bedroom is arranged around a small fireplace and two corner chairs. Large botanical prints flank the bed, while light curtains match the bedding. Angled windows allow views of the exterior greenery.
Bedroom
Surrounding a gray stone fireplace, the fireplace bedroom is finished with textured wallpaper, patterned chairs, and framed portraits. Three windows allow daylight to fill the space. Pale carpeting and crisp linens bring a clean finish to the room.
Hallway
Lining one side of the home, the sunroom hallway includes white window framing, black tile flooring, and a row of garden-facing windows. A console table with potted ferns adds natural decor. Daylight streams through the long corridor, emphasizing its length and openness.
Garden Pavilion – Exterior
Covered in ivy and brick, the garden pavilion stands out with its trio of arched French doors that open into a lit dining room. Dormer windows and a rooftop cupola give it a stately architectural presence. The lawn in front is framed by hedges and seasonal blooms.
Garden Pavilion – Dining Room
Set under chandeliers and tall arched mirrors, the garden pavilion dining room features an oval table surrounded by white-painted chairs with striped cushions. Painted panels with floral and classical motifs add ornate detailing. French doors open directly into the surrounding garden.
Conservatory
Beneath a pitched glass roof, the conservatory is filled with lush plants, shaped topiaries, and decorative metalwork. Brick flooring and green-painted framing ground the garden room in natural tones. Wicker seating and potted ferns invite guests to sit among the greenery.
Garden Walkway
Pathway curves through tightly pruned hedges and potted blooms to guide visitors toward the ivy-covered house entrance. Rounded shrubs frame the stone walkway that leads to a glass-paneled door set within a bay window alcove. Ground-level flower beds overflow with purples, whites, and greens that soften the sculpted layout.
Garden Grounds
Framed by statues and dense hedges, the flower garden runs alongside the building with a mix of manicured shrubs and wild blooms. Sprawling lawns border the space with clean lines and layers of color planted in symmetrical clusters. Rows of trees create a natural boundary behind the building, emphasizing the garden’s defined geometry.
Lawn
A striped green lawn stretches into the trees, bordered by flower beds and shrubs carved into rounded forms. Pink flowers peek from the low bushes at the edges, and a thick tree line frames the back. The grass appears recently mowed in deliberate lines leading straight toward the wooded area.
Garden Grounds
Tiered steps guide visitors up the sloped garden, flanked by benches and trimmed hedges on both sides. Shrubs grow in rounded mounds, and taller greenery marks the backdrop of this ascending layout. A mix of symmetry and natural overflow blends into the scene as the hill transitions into taller trees.
Garden Grounds
A circular brick-edged fountain anchors the center of the grassy space, paired with a vine-covered pergola in the background. A pair of wrought iron chairs rests beneath the shaded structure, nestled between two columns wrapped in climbing flowers. Dense hedges create a tall backdrop wall, isolating this corner of the garden.
Pool and Garden Area
Lounging happens beside the lap pool where two cushioned chairs face a central fountain stream, bordered by trimmed lawns and colorful beds. A brick portico runs along the side with an outdoor dining setup tucked under archways wrapped in vines. Greenery and flowers define the space’s edges while maintaining wide-open views.
Poolside and Lawn Overview
Recreation unfolds beside a rectangular pool lined with lounge chairs and a stone deck, framed by lush gardens on both sides. A red gravel path leads through a hedged garden corridor between manicured flower beds. Trees enclose the back perimeter while an expansive lawn stretches on the opposite side.
Aerial View
The circular driveway wraps around a cobblestone pattern that introduces the estate with rows of symmetrical windows and chimneys. Lawn lines form clean stripes bordered by trees and tall hedges on both sides. Tucked beneath layers of green canopy, the home sits protected yet visible from above.
Listing agent: Ann Lyon @ @Properties Christie’S International Real Estate via Coldwell Banker Realty
