Historic Winnetka Estate LISTING AGENT CONTACT STEVE HUDSON p 847.446.9600 c 312.933.4511 steve@thehudsoncompany.com 2008 The Hudson Company All Rights Reser ved
Property Summary The residence at 900 Private Road was designed by the noted architect Dwight Perkins for Harold Ickes. Construction took over two years and was completed in 1918. Dwight Perkins, born in 1867, was a major architectural figure in Chicago in the early 1900's and his son Lawrence founded the firm that is now Perkins and Will. Dwight Perkins worked for the architectural firm of Burnham and Root and was in charge of that office while Burnham was overseeing the Columbian Exposition which lasted through 1893. Perkins also supervised the completion of the Manadnock Building - the world's first skyscraper. Perkins is buried in Chicago's Graceland cemetery. Harold Ickes, born in 1874, was a key political figure in the administration of Franklin Roosevelt serving as Secretary of the Interior from 1933 to 1946 and as such was in charge of Roosevelt's New Deal Program. A graduate of University of Chicago, Ickes started out a a reporter for the Chicago Record and later the Chicago Tribune. After several years in the newspaper business, Ickes went on to graduate from the University of Chicago Law School in 1907. Following law school, Ickes became involved in progressive politics first under Theodore Roosevelt and later under Franklin. Locally, Ickes was responsible for carrying out the lowering of the commuter rail line below grade in Winnetka making this a particularly attractive attribute of the Winnetka community. Ickes residence at 900 Private Road was built with zealous personal attention to detail - from how a light fixture may hang in a closet to the type of fastener on a library bookcase door. The materials used, from the limestone to the quarter sawn oak, were from the best available in the country. Almost all of the handsome original details remain including many of the original light fixtures. The concrete foundation and construction throughout make this home a particularly solid home especially in comparison to the materials and construction methods used in the industry today. The renovations of the home by the current and former owners, including the designer Holly Hunt, have raised the home to modern standards. Most recently, the complete custom renovation of the kitchen and the master bathroom created beautiful spaces for today's living. All of the bathrooms are new or updated, mechanical systems have been updated throughout, lighting and electrical distribution has been updated, and media/entertainment systems have been added to the home. The third floor of the home has been completely renovated as a particularly large recreation space, kitchen, and home office. LOT SIZE BUILT ROOMS 1.4 acres 1918 21 rooms 8 bedrooms on the second floor including a two room master suite and a two room guest suite 7.2 baths plus a partial bath that includes a large whirlpool, shower, and water closet in the lower level Wood panelled living room with wood burning fireplace Sunroom with fireplace Formal dining room with wet bar and built-in cabinetry Kitchen with breakfast bar, double sink and prep sink Informal dining space/breakfast room with fireplace Large mud room (formerly garden room) between the attached garage and kitchen Wood panelled library with fireplace and built-in bookcases Master suite comprised of bedroom, sitting room - both with fireplaces - new luxurious bath and two large walk-in closets Third floor is completely new with a large recreation room with space for an exercise area plus a kitchen, home theater and home office Lower level has a play room and spa room with whirlpool and shower - this space would be an excellent exercise suite Three car attached garage Information deemed reliable although not warranted or guaranteed. Equal Housing Opportunity.
Property Summary (continued) TAXES PROPERTY FEATURES TBD based on subdivision of adjacent.7 acre property Spectacular floor plan with great windows and light from the south facing leaded and stained glass windows and doors Grand rooms, high ceilings, quarter sawn oak panelling, beautiful stone and hardwood floors, and impressive architectural details Bright foyer opens to living room, dining room, and gallery hallway to the library and impressive staircase to the second floor Outstanding Benvenuti kitchen with top-of-the-line appliances, custom cabinetry, and informal dining space with fireplace All baths are renovated including a new (January 2007) luxurious master bath with radiant heated stone floor, double vanity, whirlpool tub, and separate shower with steam Extensive renovations to mechanical systems, electrical, and HVAC systems. Hot water radiator heat supplemented by gas forced air heat and central air conditioning in multiple zones Advanced technology systems incorporated into the home with whole house audio/video system throughout the main levels of the home controlled with the Elan System 12 audio/video switch allowing up to 12 audio/video sources between different rooms (including ipods); installed sources include the Elan dual am/fm tuner and Escient digital music and DVD server; third floor finished with a complete home theater with a 50" high definition Fujitsu plasma televesion and a "THX" rated "in-wall" surround sound speakers providing cinema quality sound. Wired for professional telephone system. Extensive landscaping with brick driveway and drive court, inground pool, brick patios, and raised deck off the kitchen; dog run off the mudroom, in-ground sprinkler system and landscape lighting LOCATION East Winnetka location just off Sheridan Road on a private street that runs one-way from Old Green Bay to Sheridan Convenient to Winnetka's Tower Road beach and lakefront as well as Hubbard Woods retail district and Metra SCHOOLS Hubbard Woods Elementary School (K-4) Skokie School (5-6) Washburne Middle School (7-8) New Trier Northfield Campus (9) New Trier Winnetka Campus (10-12)
Exquisite Entry Hall The grand reception hall exudes old world craftsmanship with its many details. The ceiling is quarter sawn oak panelling with turned and carved details. The walls are handset limestone in a repeating pattern with a limestone baseboard. The floor of the entry hall is a mix of honed and polished granite. The hall is open to the staircase to the library and second floor in addition to being lined with leaded glass doors with arched lights above that lead to the rear patio and lawn.
Entry Hall (continued)
Living Room The living room has ample room for multiple seating areas in addition to space for a grand piano. The walls are finished with the home's original rich panelling, moldings and carved wood details. The gorgeous wood burning fireplace has a stone hearth and original limestone mantel with carved oak leaf spandrels. The living room is separated from the front hall by folding french doors and from the sun room by a set of french doors. The living room floor was originally oak flooring that was replaced with polished granite by Holly Hunt. The light fixtures are original to the home.
Living Room (continued) The living room is perfectly proportioned for entertaining large gatherings of family and friends. Wonderful leaded glass casement windows enhance the elegance of this room, and there is ample wall space to accommodate artwork. FEATURES Original wood panelling, moldings and rich carved wood details Wood burning fiireplace with original carved limestone mantel Polished granite floors Leaded glass casement windows Excellent natural light from south facing windows overlooking the rear lawn
Sun Room The sunroom is lined with leaded glass casement windows with arched transoms and a wall of french doors, also with arched transoms, that lead to a stone patio overlooking the rear lawn. The polished granite floors from the living room continue through the sun room and a simple fireplace in the sunroom provides additional ambiance to this sunlit room.
Dining Room The dining room is accessed from the front entry hall and has south, east, and west windows - leaded glass casement windows with rectangular transoms. The painted wood moldings highlight the mirrored panels along the walls of the dining room. A wet bar was added to the dining room at one end with a mirror backsplash, floor-to-ceiling granite surround, and storage cabinetry below. The floors are wide-plank mahogony. FEATURES Spacious room with natural light and views to the rear yard Wet bar and built-in custom cabinetry for storage Wide plank mahogony floors and custom millwork In-wall speakers with volume control
Dining Room (continued) Adjacent to the kitchen, the formal dining room is spacious enough for large dinner parties and also the right size for intimate gatherings of family and friends.
Kitchen Fabulous custom Benvenuti kitchen has it all! The well appointed kitchen is configured for the serious chef and casual cook with its custom hand-crafted Benvenuti cabinets, granite countertops, double undermount stainless steel sinks and an additional prep sink in the breakfast bar, beautiful tumbled stone backsplash, and stainless steel appliances. There is plenty of counter space and storage, a large breakfast bar around which to gather, a spacious breakfast area or informal dining space with fireplace, and even a place to relax on the built-in bench with storage beneath.
Kitchen (continued) The kitchen easily services the dining room and is also conveniently located adjacent to the renovated family room via the home computer space. The cabinetry conceals pantry cabinets and SubZero drawer refrigerators. The rear deck is also conveniently located off the kitchen making outdoor dining a breeze. There is additional storage and a second Subzero refrigerator in the large walk-in panty off the informal dining space. The mudroom is accessed via the back hall leading from the garage and offers tile floors, high ceilings, and plenty of storage. Also off the back hall is a very conveniently located dog run. KITCHEN DETAILS Complete renovation with Benvenut in 2001/2002; all new windows, new cabinetry and appliances, new fireplace, new powder room, and new exterior door leading to the rear deck Appliances include: Dacor built-in microwave, KitchenAid trash compactor, Viking sixburner range with griddle and double oven, professional Vent-a-Hood, two Miele dishwashers, SubZero refrigerator, SubZero freezer, and Subzero refrigerator drawers Granite countertops and tumbled marble tile backsplash Casual dining space with a new gas fireplace with stone mantel, surround and hearth Custom millwork to match the style of the existing moldings and wide plank flooring Walk-in pantry with additional cabinetry and a SubZero refrigerator/freezer Adjacent laundry room with full size side-by-side washer and dryer plus cabinetry for storage Convenient mudroom located just beyond the laundry room and off the entrance from the attached garage Rear staircase leading to the second and third floors and also to the unfinished section of the basement Service entrance from the front drive just steps down from the kitchen New informal powder room between the kitchen and the adjacent family room
Casual Dining Space The informal dining space is perfect for casual meals and has a great built-in bench/window seat with storage beneath and a beautiful stone fireplace with gas starter.
Family Room The renovated family room is just off the front entry hall and the kitchen (via the computer space). The perfect place to relax and watch a movie, this room has a beautiful bay window overlooking the front lawn, built-in audio visual system, oak panelling, and a wood panelled coffered ceiling.
Library Perfectly located off the hall from the front entry, this is truly a serious library and was built to the specifications of Harold Ickes. The original light fixtures provide indirect lighting and add a warm radiant glow to the beautiful wood panelling, bookcases, and quarter sawn oak flooring. Two large sets of leaded glass casement windows offer views of the front lawn from the built-in window seats. The original fireplace is intact with a unique tile surround and hearth and a truly amazing hand carved wood mantel.
Intricate Staircase and Landing The beautiful staircase leading from the entry hall is built from quarter sawn oak and has intricate carved details. Several large leaded glass windows provide great natural light and have in their transoms two stained glass windows from a Chicago church that were added in the 1960's The large walls along the staircase are perfect for large pieces of art.
Master Suite The master suite consists of a spacious bedroom with fireplace and built-ins, two large walk-in closets, a new luxurious bath, and a second room (or bedroom) with fireplace, a built-in entertainment center and a second bath. Renovations to the bedroom include the addition of crown moldings to match the existing home, the addition of book cases flanking the fireplace, a new walk-in closet with stone floor and imported cabinetry, and new bath. The renovations to the second room/ sitting room include new crown moldings to match the existing and a builtin entertainment center.
Master Bath The luxurious new (2007) master bath is finished with a radiant heated limestone floor, a double vanity wth granite countertop, a comfortable whirlpool tub, and a separate shower with frameless glass enclosure, built-in bench, double rainshower and steam controls. FEATURES Radiant heated Inlaid limestone flooring Shower with limestone surround, frameless glass enclosure and Steammist steam shower controls Whirlpool bathtub with granite deck Double vanity with undermount sinks and polished chrome hardware, granite countertop, and built-in Robern medicine cabinets with electrical outlets within Linen closet and storage within the vanity cabinet Water closet with mirrored pocket door
Master Sitting Room and Bath The sitting room overlooks the front lawn and has built-in cabinetry for media and storage. The room has a fireplace with the original wood mantel with the inscription in Old English style lettering "My Hearth is Wide Come Sit Beside for Gentle Company".
Guest Suite and Bath Located off the rear staircase, the guest suite is perfect for long term guests, nannies, or an au pair. Alternatively, the guest suite could be used as two bedrooms that share a new (2001) luxurious bath. The bath has a furniture style vanity, a limestone floor with inlaid stone, and a walk-in shower with frameless glass enclosure, stone floor & bench and handmade imported tile surround.
Additional Bedrooms Aside from the guest suite and master suite, there are five additional bedrooms on the second floor. Four of these have en suite baths. The smallest of the five is perfect as a nursery and has a built-in closet. The other four bedrooms are very spacious and have walk-in closets with built-in storage. All of the baths were have been renovated.
Additional Bedroom with Study and Bath One of the additional bedrooms has a study with a built-in desk and cabinetry. Almost all of the bedrooms have some form of built-in bookcases and shelving.
Additional Bedrooms Continued While all of the baths have been renovated, the guest suite bath was created in 2001 as was one of other en suite baths.
Third Floor Living Space What was once an attic is now beautifully finished (in January 2007) living space with vaulted ceiling, recreation space, home theater space, powder room, dining space, kitchen, and home office. The kitchen is equipped with a Miele dishwasher, stainless steel counters, custom cabinetry, and SubZero refrigerator drawers.
Third Floor Space (continued) The recreation space has room for a pool table, air hockey table, and ping pong table all at the same time. There is also space for an exercise area plus an organized storage space.
The Grounds The outdoors can be easily enjoyed on the 1.4 acre property. There are plentiful mature trees and beautiful perennials. The front drive was renovated and replaced with a patterned brick paver drive. In the rear, there is a luxurious in-ground pool with pool cover in addition to a large deck off the kitchen, a patio off the front hall, and a patio off the sunroom.
PLAT OF SURVEY