The tiny (population 4,000) Village of Riverwoods, bordered by Lincolnshire, Deerfield, Northbrook and Buffalo Grove, is an easily overlooked enclave in Chicago’s northern suburbs. Driving through Riverwoods it’s easy to believe you’re in a forest preserve rather than an inhabited place.
I recently re-connected with old friends, Bill and Sherry Kaplan, who happen to be the Mayor and First Lady of Riverwoods, and they took me on a guided tour of their bailiwick, including stops at several beautiful homes.
In the video above we visit a grand, distinctive home built by a stonemasonry contractor. In separate videos at this home we look at the lavish party spaces in the basement, and the sprawling, luxurious master suite which has closets that would make Imelda Marcos jealous. The home is listed for sale at $2,500,000, but almost certainly cost more than that to build.
This was my first look at higher-end properties in Riverwoods. I’d been in many far more expensive homes, primarily on the North Shore and in other parts of the country, over the years. I hadn’t seen anything comparable to this home in this price range.
Bill Kaplan, who’s been in real estate as an agent, broker and developer for over 50 years, suggested the home would be priced far higher if were in Winnetka or Lake Forest rather than Riverwoods.
Visit YoChicago at YouTube for more of our tour in the upcoming days.
For more coverage of Chicago’s northern and North Shore suburbs check out the linked sites we maintain for the Tribune at ChicagoNow.