ABOUT WINDSOR HOUSE

As you approach the estate, you'll be greeted by the grandeur of its towering evergreens and pristine gardens, painstakingly curated to create a sense of tranquility and beauty that is unmatched. The lush Botanical Gardens of the North Shore, designed by Mariani, beckons with its serene charm and organic allure, providing a perfect complement to the main house.

With 223 feet of private beachfront, you'll be transported to a world of pure bliss and relaxation, as you bask in the glorious sun and take in the stunning views of Lake Michigan. A commercial-grade boat house, complete with oversized doors and room for all your water toys, will allow you to indulge in endless aquatic adventures, while a state-of-the-art zero-edge pool and spa, surrounded by bluestone patios and a custom fire pit, offer the ultimate in luxury and entertainment.

Step inside this architectural masterpiece and marvel at the 22 rooms of unparalleled sophistication and comfort. The eight exquisite bedrooms and thirteen sumptuous baths provide the perfect sanctuary for you and your guests, while the ornate fireplaces, designer finishes, and vintage hardware transport you to a bygone era of opulence and refinement. The whole house is rewired with new low voltage and CAT5 wiring, giving you the latest technology at your fingertips.

Whether you're relaxing in the elegantly appointed great room, sipping cocktails in the stately dining room, or enjoying the breathtaking views from one of the many terraces, you'll be enveloped in a sense of calm and tranquility that can only be found in a property of this magnitude.

419 Sheridan is not just a home, it's a lifestyle - a testament to the timeless elegance and grandeur of a bygone era, brought to life in a way that is both luxurious and inviting. Don't miss your chance to own this one-of-a-kind lakefront property that defines the word magnificent!

GENERAL

  • Total 2.41 Acres (419 Sheridan is 1.73 Acres, 429 Sheridan is .68 Acres)

  • Year Built: 1929

  • Restored to its grander in 2002 by award winning architect Marvin Herman, New York

  • Architect: Ernest Mayo & Peter Mayo (Mayo & Mayo)

  • Design firm Mariette Himes Gomez, and premier builders Shultz Construction

  • Original landscape design by Heynssens + Grassman / Mariani 2002 – present

  • 8 beds, 9.4 baths

  • 223 ft of beach front with Boat House with Board Walk, Zero Edge Pool & Spa, and His & Hers Locker Rooms built into the bluff

  • Nailess custom covered pergola constructed by Mariani with built-in heat lamps

  • Stone pillars and wrought-iron gates with original letter boxes open to circular heated Belgium cobblestone driveway with 2 separate boiler systems and fob control security entrance for Residence & Staff

  • 16 exterior parking spots

  • House is built of Lannon stone with a slate roof with cooper gutters and copper downspouts

EXTERIOR

  • French Normandy original architecture with attached 2 car heated garage equipped with working 2-bedroom coach house and office space

  • Created “The Botanical Gardens” of the North Shore like a boutique hotel on the lake executed with the top civil engineers, masonry experts, and landscaping architects

  • Custom wrought iron fences, railing & gates with custom scrolls and braided details

  • An extensive outdoor lighting and sound system enhances the ambience of the manicured lawns and endless beds of flowers

  • Landscape features include approximately 150 25ft high evergreens for privacy

  • The grounds are perfectly appointed with sculptured Topiary trees, antique benches, Italian hand carved sandstone wishing well which is original to the house and new additions as well

  • Underground sprinkler system throughout both properties (front and rear)

  • Multiple terraces, bluestone patios with Lannon Stone masonry walls and layered landscaping looking over the lake

  • Rear bluestone terrace steps down to an expansive lawn edged with a stone balustrade overlooking Lake Michigan

  • Stairs along the North lead down the bluff to a 223 ft wide sandy beach

  • Commercial level boat house with oversized custom doors that allow easy access for remote control sand rovers

  • Room for water skiing boat, multiple jet skis and all water toys

  • Layered protection from Lake Michigan with a deliberate water erosion/retention plan to protect the beach (sea wall, middle wall, and balustrade wall)

  • Hand-picked boulders (some with flat surfaces for a walking path)

  • Boardwalk – with a 4x4 concrete wall underneath

  • Lannon Stone sea wall that is several feet deep with an additional wall behind the sea wall

  • Commercially built changing rooms built into the bluff. His & Her limestone locker-rooms, 2 sets of commercial level washer & dryers, storage & mechanicals

  • Zero Edge Pool by Bolini with hot tub that seamlessly blends the lake (system engineered for the pool to be covered with a drop-down water system)

  • Bluestone patios surround pool with a custom firepit entertaining area

  • “Nailess” custom built pergola with a bluestone entertaining patio

  • 2 lightning strike systems (preventive strike rod system to take any lightning to the ground)

  • Separate structure in the front yard with a generator (2020), snow melt, and garbage storage

  • Resleeved entire sewer piping

  • Backflow & storm prevention system in place

INTERIOR

  • Crestron system temperature controlled with program customization based upon season

  • Whole house has been rewired with all new low voltage

  • Separately controlled speakers in all rooms of the house with new CAT5 wiring for computer and fax

  • Sophisticated Merlin phone system with multiple phone lines for residential and office use

  • Honeywell heating & cooling (thermostat eggs in every room)

  • 22 rooms with 7 fireplaces

  • 8 Beds, 9.4 Baths

  • Installed 120 custom made indoor storm shutters to the original iron clad windows

  • Replated and restored all vintage hardware throughout the home and installed electric lift for Great Room chandelier

  • Custom designer window treatments & carpets throughout the house specially chosen by Gomez Associates with the expert eye of Sotheby’s and Christies

FIRST LEVEL

Reception Foyer

  • Classic black & white squared marble floor with views of Lake Michigan through a beautiful arched opening

Great Room

  • Double atrium styled room with crafted moldings, decorative details, and Versailles parquet flooring

  • Magnificent Venetian crystal chandelier which beautifully showcases the depth and space of this spectacular room

  • Two sets of French Doors step down to the entertainment patio with breathtaking lake views

  • A pair of winding staircases with intricate wrought iron balusters lead to the second floor

  • Juliette Balcony for entertaining

Dining Room

  • Mahogany paneled dining room with hand carved detail, exquisitely designed ornamental plastered ceiling accented with gold paint and a French Renaissance chandelier hand-picked from England

  • Herringbone patterned parquet walnut flooring, leaded windows, and leaded glass doors with antique stainless inserts that open to the conservatory  

Conservatory

  • 3 walls of windows with French door opening to the dining terrace

  • Original stain glass windows highlight the natural light that radiates from the lake

Kitchen/Butler’s Pantry

  • Completely renovated, custom wood cabinetry, teak countertops, and heated floors

  • Large wood Butcher block teak island

  • Top-of-the-line appliances: Subzero, Wolf, 2 dishwashers (additional commercial refrigerators & freezers in the garage)

  • Fully equipped Butler’s Pantry with original German silver double zinc sink that has been polished & refinished, granite countertops, full size wine cooler, second dishwasher and glass cabinetry

  • Walk-in pantry with custom cabinetry, espresso machine and wine cooler

Family Room (off Kitchen)

  • Added during renovation in 2002

  • Limestone surround fireplace

  • All new French doors with triple point locks out to bluestone terrace

  • Custom built-ins and shelving

  • Designated separate dining space

Step Down Music Room

  • French Venetian marble surround gas fireplace

  • Ornate moldings with hand-pegged plank flooring

  • Also used as the music room (with space for Steinway piano and other musical instruments)

Moroccan/Family Room

  • One of the original winter party rooms in Chicago – tropical theme to escape from the harsh winters

  • Glazed cobalt blue tile floors imported from Spain with magnificent Gothic arched windows with Eastern and Southern exposure

  • Restored original hand painted wall murals with assistance from the Art Institute of Chicago

  • Gold and silver leaf ceiling with antique spiraled hand carved columns with a secret paneled wet bar

  • Electrically controlled pocket doors with stereo closet and surround sound system

  • French doors open to the lawn and the lake

  • Elaborately carved pocket doors between with room and the library

  • Custom chest hides TV with remote controlled system

Office

  • Walnut paneled office was an addition done by the original owner in 1931

  • Braided columns made in Italy and gothic style windows that capture incredible garden views

  • Concealed cove lighting, six antique spiral wood columns imported from Italian church with custom floor to ceiling bookshelves (original Gillow & Gilow antique bookcases from England)

  • Limestone fireplace with ornate molded plastered ceilings that have been restored to perfection

  • Concealed computer cabinetry throughout

Reading Room

  • Three sets of Palladian French Doors

  • Beautiful stone gas fireplace

  • Stone tile flooring and faux finished gold leaf columns

  • Custom art lighting

Mudroom & Command Center

  • Installed French Chateau heated floors

  • Custom built lockers

  • Managers office with access to all security

  • Access to two car heated garage

Guest Quarters/ Coach House

  • Above the 2-car garage with private entrance

  • 2 guest suites with full baths

  • Kitchenette and sitting area

  • All utilities connect to main house

SECOND LEVEL

Primary Retreat  

  • Antique French marble surround gas starting fireplace

  • Remote controlled stereo for first and second floors

  • Panoramic lake views from French doors

  • Installed exquisitely upholstered walls

His & Her Dressing Rooms

  • Her wardrobe room fully built out, refrigerator, and access to steam shower controls

  • His dressing room perfected with heated floors, new draperies 2022, completely customized cabinetry with custom island

Primary Bath

  • Magnificent French inspired spa bath with panoramic lake vistas

  • Onyx countertops which include the surround around the Whirlpool bath and newly redone walk- in steam shower with multiple heads

  • Heated floors with 2 kick heaters

  • Separate water closet with hand painted floors

Bedroom #2

  • Walk-in closets

  • Beautiful lake views

  • Custom ceramic ensuite tile bath

  • This is the main bedroom that overlooks the lake besides the primary

Bedroom #3

  • Customized closet space and ensuite ceramic tile bath

Bedroom #4

  • Customized walk-in closets and built ins

  • Ensuite ceramic bath

Nursery/Bedroom #5

  • This is used as a bedroom now, originally a nursery

  • The door is connected to the primary suite, which gives easy access

Children’s Library

  • Beautiful wood paneled library with accents of robe moldings and walls of shelving

  • Parquet wooden floors, ornamental fireplace, with large window overlooking front gardens and lawn

Linen & Laundry Room

  • Walls of shelving located off rear staircase for easy access

  • Second fully equipped laundry room with Whirlpool washer and dryer

THIRD LEVEL

  • Rear staircase leads to third floor

  • Vaulted oversized playroom with maple floors and views of the lake

  • Half bath

  • Access to chandelier crank

  • Ample storage space & access to roof in storage room

  • Bedroom with tandem room and full bathroom

  • Separate office space

LOWER LEVEL

  • Cozy media room with suede soundproof walls, wool carpeting, ornamental fireplace, custom cabinetry throughout, and staircase access to the main floor

  • Commercial level laundry room with 4 Maytag washer & dryers, dry cleaning section, flower area, and kitchenette for staff

  • Beautifully redone custom wine cellar with wine organization by type and year

  • Fully equipped workout room

  • Oversized wrapping paper room with storage for all entertainment needs

  • His & Her bathrooms 

  • Flower cooler

LAYERS OF SECURITY

  • Entire property is fenced with heavy steel wrought-iron spiked fencing

  • State of the art Keyth Security System

  • Motion Detectors throughout property that trigger stadium lights and alarm system

  • Sensor contacts on every single door & window

  • Glass break detectors that trigger at the frequency of glass breaking or being cut

  • Centrally monitored alarm system

  • Interior & exterior of the home is equipped for fob use. Fobs are programmed for certain parts of the property so owner can have complete control of who has access and when they have access to that space

  • Extensive exterior and interior security camera system

HISTORY

  • The “Windsor Lakefront Estate” was commissioned by a young husband, Harry Windsor, who inherited his father’s publishing business for his new wife whose love for the Opera was the inspiration for the house

  • Ernest Mayo was commissioned to create a house that celebrated the style and grace of classic French heritage

  • Mayo was considered one of the 20th century’s greatest architects like Adler and Wright

  • Mr. Mayo’s numerous homes were built for the most affluent citizens of Chicago, with some believing this house was his greatest accomplishment

  • In the last 75 years, only 5 families have had the privilege of owning the Windsor Lakefront Estate

  • The current owner completed a full home restoration with no expense spared by hiring true experts in each field of expertise

  • In 2012, the current owners acquired the lot to the north at 429 Sheridan. Plans were put in place with the vision of Mariani to create an organic botanical garden that complimented the main house

  • 419 Sheridan is a one of kind architectural lakefront masterpiece that defines the word magnificent