David Adler was one of the most prolific and prominent architects and designers during the era of the “great American house,” and the North Shore suburb of Lake Forest is a showcase for some of his best.
Adler’s clients were often willing to spend lavishly on detailing even the outbuildings on their estates to create a harmonious environment.
The 3-bedroom, 2 ½ bath home at 250 N Western, for example, was once a gatehouse and 5-bay garage that housed the chauffeur on an Armour estate at Mellody Farm. The original finishes were of a quality that you might not expect in what was, in effect, servants’ quarters.
The current owner of the home, along with architect Garret Michael Eakin, expanded it with a spectacular, domed octagonal kitchen that ties together the original gatehouse and the garage. The garage was converted into a sprawling family room and a master suite, separated by a wall of pine built-ins that matches the warm, original pine of the gatehouse.
The home was the recipient of a historic preservation award from the Lake Forest Preservation Foundation.
The home is currently listed for sale with Kelly McInerny and Carolyn McLaughlin of Prudential Rubloff, and priced at $2.8 million.