A Once in a Lifetime Opportunity in Lake Forest...
This exquisitely renovated classic revival English manor home was built in 1911 for Henry A. Rumsey, a commodities broker who would later become president of the Chicago Board and Trade and also serve as Mayor of Lake Forest. Designed by the famed architectural firm of Shepley, Rutan, and Coolidge of Boston and Chicago, with grounds by Jens Jensen, the house was modeled after the 18th Century Clifford Manor House in Warwickshire, England.
Today, as one of east Lake Forest's grandest manor homes, it is a shining example of superior historic renovation and restoration, maintained to perfection. A host of modern-day amenities have been flawlessly integrated into the original architectural design to create a home of outstanding beauty, authenticity, character and comfort. Truly, it is a treasure to behold and admire - a warm, gracious and inviting family home without equal.
Set on approximately three-and-a-half wooded and fenced acres, the more than 12,400 square foot home is impeccably maintained and superbly appointed, and includes 22 rooms, 9 bedrooms, and 7 fireplaces, plus separate staff or guest quarters. Interior perfection is mirrored outdoors, with a new pool, spa, sports court and grand pool house, the latter painstakingly designed to complement the classic architecture of the main house. Lush woods, ravine views and sprawling grounds, enhanced by stunning Mariani landscapes and new hardscapes, create an exceptionally private and beautiful retreat by any measure in a most coveted east location.
A Tour of the Home...

At the center of the home, the grand reception hall is the epitome of grace and style, enhanced with stunning Parquet de Bretagne oak floors and handsome raised panel walls. Visitors are welcomed into a place of warmth and beauty that is characteristic of the entire home.

To the right of the foyer is a hallway down which one will find not one, but two elegantly appointed powder rooms - one for the ladies, with separate sitting chambers, and another for the gentlemen. Further down the hall is the light and airy billiard porch, enhanced with nature views from three sides out stunning Palladian windows. Nearby is a marble-topped wet-bar, hidden away behind doors, but nonetheless convenient for quick and easy refreshments in this west wing of the home.

On the south side of the home are the library, living room and dining room, each with their own unique architectural signatures. Immediately adjacent to the west wing billiard porch is the large and inviting library, its quarter-sawn, red oak raised paneling stained to a rich, warm tone. A haven of Old English comfort, the library is further enhanced with a gas fireplace with stunning marble surround, custom bookshelves, lit curio cabinets for family treasures, and a superb sound system.

The library opens into the centerpiece of the home - the exquisitely appointed and expansive living room. The focal point here is a captivating fireplace with limestone surround and intricate hand-carved garlands on the wall above the mantel. South-facing windows and glass doors bring the added beauty of nature inside, and natural light enhances the allure of the gleaming parquet floors. The dining room is large enough to accommodate grand dinner parties, but the warmth and beauty of the space also make it perfect for smaller soirees. Here, too, the fireplace is a highlight, with its marble surround and unique above-the-mantel carvings complementing those in the living room. The stunning, one-of-a-kind granite-topped dining room table was designed especially for this room, as was the custom-made Sue Shuster rug, designed to mirror the wood carvings above the fireplace mantel.
At the far east side of the home is the breakfast porch with Palladian windows, a mirror image of the west wing billiard porch The room is enchanting in every way and looks out on a treasure trove of garden delights, including a formal Tina crabtree garden, and the beautiful plantings and hardscapes which surround the estate's new pool.
Adjacent to the breakfast porch is the kitchen - delectable in white with grey and black accents. It has been designed with every cooking and entertaining need in mind - from marinecloth-lined silver drawers to diagonal maple wood floors that are easy on the eyes and the legs. The highest quality custom cabinetry and granites combine with state-of-the-art appliances and immense storage to create an intelligent and inviting chef's kitchen, plus a wonderful butler's pantry provides additional storage and the perfect staging area for parties. Adjacent to the kitchen is a light and cheery laundry room and an everyday powder room¡¦Also on the first floor near the front hallway to the kitchen, there is another powder room and an elevator to the second floor for those with accessibility needs.A light-filled back hallway connects the kitchen area with the family room extraordinaire. Added in 1987 by the previous owners, the room was designed by Robert Geudtner to co-exist in perfect harmony with the original house, from the first course of brick to the roof slate specially chosen from a New Hampshire quarry. Custom white oak rift and quarter-sawn cabinetry houses state-of-the art entertainment and sound systems, which disappear behind handcrafted doors when not in use. The high-ceilinged room is enhanced by floor-to-ceiling windows on three sides, each affording wonderful outdoor views. Nature vistas are also reflected on the ceiling of the room, where hand-painted flora and fauna of the area delight the eye. A patio in between the kitchen and the family room provides the perfect place for outdoor grilling, too.
Nearby is a private staircase to the 2nd floor garage apartment. Currently a delightful guest retreat, the apartment was previously used for live-in staff. It includes a new kitchen and updated bath, in-unit laundry, a living room/dining room combination and two bedrooms - all decorated to cozy perfection. Below the apartment is a 4-car, attached heated garage with specially treated floors and walls made of porcelain glazed blocks.
The main upstairs areas of the home - including second and third floors - can be accessed by both the main and back staircases. The gracious main staircase is further enhanced by a lovely sitting area at the top of the landing. The master suite is heavenly. The master bedroom has an elegant gas fireplace, as does its adjacent sitting room that also boasts handcrafted; smaller-scale Bretagne oak parquet flooring. A sleeping porch provides another enticing retreat. Both the master bedroom and sitting room bathrooms have been completely refurbished and include marbles and Lalique light fixtures. There are three more bedrooms on this floor. The west wing includes two large and comfortable bedrooms that share a marble bath, with Lalique light fixtures, and have an adjoining enclosed porch. The east wing includes another bedroom, sitting room and a private bath also enhanced with marble and Lalique light fixtures. There are also three classic linen
closets, with pull-out folding shelves, drawers and pillow storage.

Additional combinations of bedrooms and sitting rooms are on the third floor, and have been restored to their original configurations. What was once servants quarters, and accessible by the back stairway, has now been transformed into quarters for children and guests, with four bedrooms and one bath. One of the bedrooms has an attached sitting room and a TV computer area. There is also a wonderful large cedar closet with drawer and cabinet space.

The lower level of the house is pristine and holds several surprises. First and foremost, is the wine cellar with its 1300 bottle capacity. On its own security system, the wine cellar also features thermostatically controlled temperature, a dedicated water cooling air conditioning system, cedar racks and custom lighting. Ornately carved wine barrel sides add decorative interest to the room, along with light sconces made from wine bottles.

The lower level also houses an exercise room, game room, workbench/tool area, storage and a separate outside entrance and full bath for workmen. There is a superior hot water heating system, central air conditioning powered by five condensers, pneumatic temperature controls, and a natural gas generator for emergencies. The home's maintenance records are meticulous and, though it was built in 1911, the condition of the home truly seems like new. A cherished couple has served as caretakers of the property for many years, and they are interested in continuing in their positions if desired.

The grounds of the estate are as magnificent as the house itself, originally planned by the famous landscape architect Jens Jensen. The property boasts countless varieties of plants and trees for all seasons with Jensen's original work preserved and enhanced in recent years by award-winning landscape designer John Mariani. The property is fenced to keep deer out and protect the thousands of bulbs and flowering plants that brighten the property every season of the year. The automated iron gates at the entrance give way to a driveway of granite pavers and bricks, typical of the 1900s. Fernando Masonry constructed the driveway and also handcrafted the bluestone patios and walkways around the house, stone walls, and the brick and stone work of the pool area. The 52 x 20 poured concrete pool with spa was built in 1997, framed with limestone coping and a bluestone deck. The grand pool house was created in the classic English style, designed by Diana Melichar of Geudtner and Melichar to complement the original house to house bathrooms, changing areas and laundry facilities. The fountain and urns around the pool and elsewhere on the property were imported from England for the project. The property also includes a new multi-purpose outdoor sports court, and a batting cage, both artfully "hidden away" but easily accessible in a wooded area to the east of the garage.

Rarely, if ever, does a home of such beauty, scope, character and condition become available in a coveted Lake Forest location. That is why we call its offering for sale a "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity"…We look forward to welcoming you home to 900 East Illinois in Lake Forest.

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Restoration notes…
Painstaking restoration of this extraordinary vintage home has been undertaken by several owners since 1981, resulting in the masterpiece we see today. Such efforts have included truly amazing and extensive work, inside and out, by Old World craftsman and superior technicians. Among the many improvements are exterior copper and slate work, and repair of wood cornice and trim. Structural repairs were made and the entire home replastered in the Old World manner. Inside, new heating, plumbing and electrical systems replaced those that were antiquated. Millwork and cabinetry were replaced or restored as required in accordance with the original house plans. Original materials were re-used whenever feasible, augmented by exacting reproductions of millwork, hardware, flooring and other such items. Hardware was custom-cast to match the old when necessary.
In some cases, changes were made to make the home even more authentic with regard to its English roots. For example, in keeping with the Queen Anne period which inspired it, double doors replaced wider single doors that came with the house and are more typically American. Many 18th century light fixtures were added to replace less appropriate fixtures.
Original woodwork throughout the home was restored and refinished, including the Grinling Gibbons or William Kent-type carvings over the living room and dining room mantels. Every detail was considered, and sometimes a compromise was made between total authenticity and adaptation to modern living standards, particularly with regard to the kitchen, bath, service and mechanical areas.
Of Historical Interest…
In 1911, Henry A. Rumsey, a commodities broker, commissioned Shepley, Rutan and Coolidge of Boston and Chicago to design a house for him on 8 acres on a ravine in Lake Forest. The firm's credentials then included the Chicago Public Library (1893) and the Art Institute of Chicago (1897), among others of note. At the request of Mrs. Rumsey, the house was modeled after the Clifford Manor House (Queen Anne period classic revival manor) in Warwickshire, England near Stratford-on-Avon. Coolidge traveled to England to visit and study Clifford Manor before designing the Rumsey home. The
site of the England manor was originally an 11th century monastery, then a 16th century grange. In 1700, the manor home was constructed in the style of Sir Christopher Wren, which preceded the evolution of Georgian design. Classical elements incorporated into the Rumsey home's design include stone quoining, small Doric columns and modillions that support the cornice, among other elements.

Rumsey served as Mayor of Lake Forest from 1919 to 1925. In the late 1920s, he was president of the Chicago Board of Trade. His fortunes tragically turned during the Depression and the family moved to Chicago. The house sat vacant from the late 1920s to 1941, when the Great Lakes Naval Base used it as its officer quarters until the end of World War II. In 1946, the house was purchased by John H Harmon and became a private residence again. In 1953, the land across the ravine, including a coach house, stable, gardeners cottage and kitchen garden, were sold. This property is now the
three parcels at the end of maple Court. Curtis Teich, Jr. purchased the home in 1963, erecting a teahouse on the property, recently removed. In 1964, one acre on the east side of the property was sold and the bridge across the ravine dismantled.

Dr. E. Daniel Albrecht and his wife, Mignon Buehler, purchased the home in 1981. They took great care and time to restore the home to its original English splendor. During the 3-year renovation, the house was adapted to modern livability standards with great care to preserve its historic details and character. An incompatible 6-car garage was replaced with a more appropriate garage and apartment, designed by Robert Geudtner and Associates to compliment the original home. The new gates, entrance and driveway also added at this time reflect elements from Clifford Manor, which the Albrechts visited. Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Chapman purchased the home in 1987. They commissioned Robert Geudtner to design a family room addition in keeping with the home's architecture and historic appeal. In 1996, Mr. and Mrs. Doug T. Valassis purchased the manor, adding the pool and grand pool house and lavishing great attention to the grounds and hardscapes, as well as adding their own special touches to the interiors which are a true showcase of classic beauty and historic charm…. Through the combined efforts of several owners, 900 East Illinois is today a historic masterpiece by any measure, renovated to modern-day perfection.