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1955 Shore Acres Drive

Lake Bluff, IL 60044

5 beds
10 baths
14,724 sqft
~5 acre lot
$349 per sqft
1941 build
– on site

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Experience the epitome of private resort living in Shoreacres Golf Club, one of Lake Bluff's most exclusive areas. Awaiting you: a historic lakefront property poised on 4.8 magical acres with a private beach and a separate guest house. The main residence, a meticulously renovated colonial-style manse of over 14,700 square feet with attached garage space for 8+ cars, stands as a masterpiece of elegance and sophistication. The current owners breathed new life into the classic estate, which was built in 1941 for Hadley Richardson Hemingway, the first wife of Ernest Hemingway, and their son Jack. A grand circular drive and gardens usher you into the property's private wooded embrace with peekaboo views of the lake in the distance. Abundant light and lake views flood nearly every room of the residence, revealing the grandeur within. The floorplan, modernized for today's lifestyles, offers multiple spaces for entertaining several generations of friends and family at once - all with seamless flow to the majestic lakefront surroundings. Embodying the private resort spirit is a very large indoor pool and spa, a 2-story sports court, multiple outdoor entertaining areas and balconies with lake views plus a finished basement with theatre, bar, and full kitchen. A gracious office, a private guest bedroom or au pair suite (or second office) above the kitchen, a bonus room, three hotel-like guest bedroom suites, and an inspiring primary suite with a private deck overlooking the lake create endless flexibility. A thoughtful blend of custom built-ins, fine millwork, hardwood and porcelain flooring, and quality materials and finishes by Naperville-based Smithe Design Team lend an air of timelessness that can be traced back to the great lakefront estates of the past. Meanwhile, a wealth of contemporary features such as an elevator, first and second floor laundry rooms, motorized blinds, and a smart home automation system provide the 21-century comforts. No detail has been overlooked - not even outdoors. You'll be forever drawn to the beautifully manicured grounds and gardens, where an outdoor kitchen, outdoor shower, multiple patios, fenced areas, and a newly installed tram and stairs take you down to over 260 feet of private expansive sandy beachfront with a massive deck and built-in grill. Your exclusive retreat has arrived in this unparalleled Lake Bluff offering.

Listing courtesy of MRED / Coldwell Banker Realty as distributed by MLS GRID

Last checked: Checking… • Last updated Apr 10, 2025 •

MLS# 11853353 —

The Building

Year Built:

1941
Rebuilt:

Yes
Rebuilt Year:

2007
New Construction:

false
Basement:

Full, Walk-Out Access
Exterior Features:

Balcony, Patio, Roof Deck, In Ground Pool, Outdoor Grill
Patio And Porch Features:

Deck, Patio
Disability Access:

No
Other Equipment:

Water-Softener Owned, Security System, Sump Pump, Sprinkler-Lawn, Backup Sump Pump;, Generator, Multiple Water Heaters, Security Cameras
Total SqFt:

14724
Total SqFt:

18940
Below Grade Finished Area:

2934
Main SqFt:

14724
Basement SqFt:

4216
Unfinished Basement SqFt:

1282
Living Area Source:

Assessor

Interior

Room Type:

Bedroom 5, Breakfast Room, Office, Theatre Room, Kitchen, Heated Sun Room, Foyer, Walk In Closet, Game Room
Rooms Total:

15
Interior Features:

Bar-Dry, Bar-Wet, Elevator, Hardwood Floors, In-Law Arrangement, First Floor Laundry, Second Floor Laundry, Pool Indoors, First Floor Full Bath, Built-in Features, Walk-In Closet(s), Coffered Ceiling(s), Beamed Ceilings, Open Floorplan, Special Millwork, Granite Counters, Separate Dining Room
Fireplaces Total:

4
Fireplace Location:

Family Room,Living Room,Master Bedroom,Dining Room
Laundry Features:

Multiple Locations, Sink

Room Dimensions

Living Area:

14724

Location

Directions:

Sheridan Road to Shore Acres Drive, head east towards the golf club, pass the club and continue to drive south towards the end of the road to 1955.
Location:

3950
Location:

3950

The Property

Parcel Number:

12094010020000
Property Type:

Residential
Lot Features:

Beach, Fenced Yard, Lake Front, Landscaped, Water View, Mature Trees, Lake Access, Waterfront
Lot Size Dimensions:

212438
Lot Size Acres:

4.8769
Waterfront:

true

Listing Agent

Contact info:

Taxes

Tax Year:

2022
Tax Annual Amount:

44277.18

Beds

Bedrooms Total:

5
Bedrooms Possible:

5

Baths

Baths:

10
Full Baths:

9
Half Baths:

1

The Listing

Short Sale:

Not Applicable
Special Listing Conditions:

None

Heating & Cooling

Heating:

Natural Gas, Forced Air, Radiant, Sep Heating Systems - 2+
Cooling:

Central Air

Utilities

Sewer:

Septic-Private
Water Source:

Well

Appliances

Appliances:

Range, Dishwasher, High End Refrigerator, Washer, Dryer, Disposal, Stainless Steel Appliance(s), Wine Refrigerator, Range Hood

Schools

Elementary School:

Lake Bluff Elementary School
Elementary School District:

65
Middle Or Junior School:

Lake Bluff Middle School
Middle Or Junior School District:

65
High School:

Lake Forest High School
High School District:

115

The Community

Community Features:

Curbs, Street Lights, Street Paved
Association Fee Includes:

None
Association Fee Frequency:

Not Applicable
Master Assoc Fee Frequency:

Not Required

Parking

Parking Total:

10
Garage Type:

Attached
Garage Spaces:

10
Garage Onsite:

Yes
Garage Ownership:

Owned

Explore the Area

My Commute

From

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Provided by WalkScore® Inc.

Bike Score®

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Soundscore™

Provided by HowLoud

Air Pollution Index

Provided by ClearlyEnergy

Utility Costs

$480/mo.

Estimate provided by ClearlyEnergy

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Sale history

Date	Event	Source	Price	% Change
2/22/24 Feb 22, 2024	Sold	MRED	$5,150,000	-14.1%
2/7/24 Feb 7, 2024	Pending	MRED	$5,995,000
1/19/24 Jan 19, 2024	Sold Subject To Contingencies	MRED	$5,995,000

House Sold on 2/22/2024

$5,150,000

Listing provided by broker:

Dawn McKenna

Coldwell Banker Realty

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Listing courtesy of MRED, Coldwell Banker Realty, and Dawn McKenna as distributed by MLS GRID.

The data relating to real estate for sale on this website comes in part from the Broker Reciprocity program of Midwest Real Estate Data LLC. Real Estate listings held by brokerage firms other than Signal Real Estate are marked with the Broker Reciprocity logo or the Broker Reciprocity thumbnail logo (a little black house) and detailed information about them includes the names of the listing brokers. Some properties which appear for sale on this website may subsequently have sold and may no longer be available. The information being provided is for consumers' personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing.
© 2025 Midwest Real Estate Data LLC
Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed by MLS GRID. Use of MLS GRID Data may be subject to an end user license agreement prescribed by the Member Participant's applicable MLS if any and as amended from time to time.

Based on information submitted to MLS GRID as of Apr 10, 2025, 04:51 am. All data is obtained from various sources and may not have been verified by broker or MLS GRID. Supplied Open House Information is subject to change without notice. All information should be independently reviewed and verified for accuracy. Properties may or may not be listed by the office/agent presenting the information.

1955 Shore Acres Drive

Lake Bluff, IL 60044