On the market for the first time in nearly 50 years, the historic Phelps Kelley House is one of Lake Bluff's most significant estate properties. Designed in 1927 by noted Chicago architect Ambrose Cramer, a protege of David Adler, this Tudor Revival masterpiece was originally part of the historic "Stonebridge" estate. The 9.35-acre property is elegantly situated at the end of a long, private, tree-lined drive, and features a pond, rolling lawn, mature trees, gardens, a 7,383-square-foot main residence with meticulously preserved interiors, and a detached 5-car garage with a full coach house apartment above. Across five decades, one family has carefully stewarded the character of this home, preserving its original grandeur through its stone floors, carved millwork, wood paneling, intricate moldings, tall casement windows, and generous ceiling heights. Cramer carefully planned the floorplan for gracious living and entertaining. A grand entry leads to expansive formal living and dining rooms-each with fireplaces and French doors opening to an expansive terrace overlooking verdant gardens and the pool beyond. A paneled sunroom offers a quiet retreat with views of the grounds and lends itself perfectly to a sun-filled private office. Service areas are thoughtfully configured for ease: a large butler's pantry with extensive vintage cabinetry connects the dining room to the kitchen, which adjoins a sunlit breakfast room oriented toward the pool. A spacious family room provides yet another vantage point to appreciate the property's natural beauty. Additional first-floor conveniences include a large laundry room, back staircase, and discreet storage integrated throughout. Five bedrooms and six full baths complete the second floor, including a primary suite that functions as its own private wing with dual baths, multiple closets, and a dressing room rich with period character. Two additional bedrooms and 1.1 baths on the first floor offer ideal space for guests or multi-generational living. The lower level includes a powder bath and abundant storage space, but could also be converted into a future recreation room. The property's park-like grounds elevate the estate into a true retreat that feels worlds away. Outdoor amenities include a swimming pool, greenhouse, and a prior tennis court site that provides exceptional potential for a new court or custom outdoor recreation. Meandering paths encourage exploration, while open lawns and a broad terrace facilitate gatherings of any scale. Adding to the estate's pastoral charm, the current owners maintain beehives on the property for small-batch honey production. The greenhouse, beehives, and expanses of lawn and garden reinforce the feeling of escape that a private country estate provides while being only minutes from Lake Bluff's beloved community fabric: downtown's charming shops and dining, the Metra station, Sunrise Beach, highly rated schools, outstanding parks, and the town's renowned Fourth of July celebration. A once-in-a-generation offering, the Phelps Kelley House represents the finest expression of North Shore heritage. It is an estate in the truest sense, meticulously preserved and ready to begin its next chapter.
Single-familyProperty Type
1927Year Built
9.36 acresLot Size
$847Price/Sq.Ft.
5 car garageParking
Listed by Annie Royster Lenzke• Coldwell Banker Realty
North Shore, located between Evanston and Lake Forest, is a residential and lakeside Chicago neighborhood with leafy ravines and a shoreline park system. The neighborhood’s character concentrates around the Metra stations and village centers along Green Bay Road, where independent cafes, bookstores, and small galleries line walkable blocks. Writers Theatre and the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts anchor the cultural calendar, while the Chicago Botanic Garden sets a seasonal rhythm just beyond the lakefront. Streets of brick Colonials, Tudors, and mid-century homes sit behind mature trees and stone walls. Lake Michigan beaches and the Green Bay Trail shape daily routines with long, linear outdoor corridors. Commuter rail and lakefront drives connect the area to downtown without changing its quiet, curated pace.
Provided by Walk Score and Local Logic
Offer insights
1650 Green Bay Rd · $6,250,000
$6.22M and above
75% chance or better to win
Why $6.22M+ is a strong offer
DAYS ON MARKET
188 days
The average home goes pending in 53 days.
SALE-TO-LIST
100.3%
Most homes are selling 0% above list price.
About offer insights
Property details
Interior
Exterior
Finance
Kitchen
Bathroom
Bedroom
Living
Dining
Interior features
First-floor bedroom and first-floor full bath
Built-in features
Walk-in closets
Historic/period millwork
Beamed ceilings
Unfinished full basement
Attic is full, interior stair, unfinished
Separate dining room
13 total rooms
Bedrooms
7 bedrooms total
Master bedroom located on the second floor
Bedroom 2 on second floor (19 x 20)
Bedroom 3 on second floor (13 x 17)
Bedroom 4 on second floor (21 x 18)
Bedroom 5 on second floor (20 x 18)
Bedroom 6 on main level (11 x 14)
Bedroom 7 on main level (10 x 11)
Bathrooms
7 full baths
2 half baths
Separate showers and soaking tubs
Basement includes bathroom(s)
Kitchen
Gas cooktop
Double oven
Microwave
Dishwasher
Refrigerator
Trash compactor
Laundry & utility
Main-level laundry room (10 x 5) with washer and dryer
Flooring
Predominantly hardwood floors
Slate flooring in the heated sun room
Carpet in the master bedroom
Heating & cooling
Radiator heating
Small-duct high-velocity cooling
Exterior features
In-ground pool
Patio
Fire pit
Landscaped grounds with mature trees
School bus service and nearby commuter train access
Home design
Detached single-family home
2-story structure
Fee simple ownership
Built approximately 91–100 years ago
Slate roof
Stone construction
Parking
Detached garage
Garage owned with 5 garage spaces
Circular asphalt driveway
Total parking for 5 vehicles
Security
Security system installed
Construction
Stone exterior
Slate roof
Built before 1978
Utilities
Water source: Lake Michigan
Septic tank sewer
Electrical service 400 amp or greater
HOA & community
No master association fee required
Other
Parcel number available
Electricity and solar
View estimated energy costs and solar savings for this home