Welcome to your private retreat in The Ponds! This stunning 4-bedroom, 4.5-bath Lake Forest home occupies an exceptional lot, where serene pond views, mature trees, and a neighborhood walking path just steps away create a picturesque setting with a sense of privacy and tranquility. Inside, timeless elegance, exceptional craftsmanship, and thoughtfully designed living spaces come together to create a truly remarkable home. The impressive two-story foyer makes a memorable first impression, showcasing gleaming hardwood floors and exquisite custom millwork, including beautiful wall moldings. French doors open to the formal dining room, where a dramatic coffered ceiling and Palladian windows create an elegant setting for holiday celebrations and memorable gatherings. The spacious living room is filled with natural light and offers a cozy fireplace (1 of 4 fireplaces), while the inviting family room features a striking wood-beamed ceiling, a beautifully carved wood fireplace, and two sets of sliding doors leading to the deck. The spectacular kitchen is sure to impress, featuring high-end appliances, including an oversized Viking refrigerator and stove, along with an expansive island complete with a sink and seating area. A charming built-in breakfast nook, surrounded by windows, provides a sunny, scenic spot for everyday meals. Just off the kitchen, a spacious office showcases rich wood-paneled walls and floor-to-ceiling built-in bookcases, creating an ideal work-from-home retreat. The adjoining four-season room is destined to become a favorite gathering spot, with its cozy electric fireplace and panoramic views of the beautifully landscaped backyard. Upstairs, four generously sized bedrooms provide comfort and privacy. The luxurious primary suite features a tray ceiling, walk-in closet, and an extraordinary en-suite bath designed for relaxation. Enjoy heated floors, an oversized shower, an enormous jetted tub, an extra-long dual vanity with abundant storage, a smart toilet, and numerous windows that fill the space with natural light. A distinctive wood barrel sink adds a one-of-a-kind design element. One of the three additional bedrooms features its own private full bath, making it ideal for guests. The finished English basement significantly expands the home's living and entertaining possibilities, offering a second family room with fireplace, game area, dedicated workout room, and an impressive custom wet bar equipped with a dishwasher, refrigerator, wine/beverage refrigerator, and tap. A full bathroom with shower, generous storage space, and a dedicated wine closet complete this exceptional lower level. Step outside and discover the backyard oasis, where peaceful pond views provide a stunning backdrop for relaxing or entertaining. Enjoy morning coffee or evening sunsets from the deck, unwind in the hot tub, or gather with friends around the built-in firepit on the stone patio. And for a truly extraordinary touch, the home's private observatory, complete with an impressive telescope, invites you to explore the night sky from the comfort of your own backyard. Beautifully appointed, thoughtfully designed, and filled with exceptional amenities, this remarkable home offers a rare opportunity to enjoy refined living in a tranquil Lake Forest setting.
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
Market insights
677 Buena Rd · $1,995,000
SALE-TO-LIST
100.1%
Most homes are selling 0% above list price.
LIST PRICE
$1,995,000
Median sale price in this area is $449,071. (77% lower than this home)
PRICE DROP
0 price drops
16% of homes in this area have had a price drop in the past month.
Property details
Interior
Exterior
Finance
Kitchen
Bathroom
Bedroom
Living
Dining
Interior features
Walk-in closets
Coffered ceilings
Beamed ceilings
Special millwork
Three fireplaces in the family room, primary bedroom, and basement
Separate dining room
Finished, full, daylight basement with a game room, exercise room, family room, bar and entertainment area, and storage
Bedrooms
4 bedrooms
Primary bedroom on the second floor
Bedrooms 2, 3, and 4 on the second floor
Bathrooms
4 full bathrooms and 1 half bathroom
Whirlpool tub, soaking tub, double sinks, and bidet
Basement bathroom
Kitchen
Eating area with table space
Island
Butler’s pantry and pantry closet
Breakfast room
Custom cabinetry
Granite counters
Double oven, microwave, dishwasher, high-end refrigerator, disposal, wine refrigerator, cooktop, and range hood
Stainless steel appliances
Laundry & utility
Main-level laundry
Washer and dryer
Flooring
Hardwood
Ceramic tile
Carpet
Wood laminate
Heating & cooling
Forced-air and radiant-floor heating
Central air conditioning
Exterior features
Adjacent to a forest preserve
Pond
Home design
Detached home
Two stories
Parking
Attached three-car garage
Asphalt parking
Garage door opener
Construction
Brick construction
Shake roof
Concrete perimeter foundation
Utilities
Lake Michigan and public water
Public sewer
Circuit breakers
HOA & community
Annual association fee includes insurance
Community features include a lake, curbs, sidewalks, streetlights, and paved streets
Electricity and solar
View estimated energy costs and solar savings for this home
Permit history is from public records and may be incomplete or inaccurate. Redfin and its agents make no representations about the property condition or permit status. Buyers should independently verify all information.
Climate risks
1/10 Flood Factor
Minimal risk of a flood reaching the building in the next 30 years
1/10 Fire Factor
Unlikely to be in a wildfire in next 30 years
2/10 Heat Factor
7 days above 98° expected this year, 14 days in 30 years
2/10 Wind Factor
0% chance of strong winds in next 30 years
4/10 Air Factor
4 unhealthy days expected this year, 5 days in 30 years
Provided by First Street
Historical weather
Lake Forest, IL • 60045
Average low and high temperatures (°F)
29
14
37
21
52
32
60
41
66
47
79
61
84
67
80
64
76
58
64
49
49
37
35
22
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Sun exposure
94/ 100
Exceptional sunlight
Sunscore
This home ranks in the top 28% for direct sun exposure in Lake Forest. There appears to be minimal shading by surrounding buildings, terrain, and vegetation.
10 hrs
5.7 hrs
JuneDecember
Provided by Shadowmap
Redfin Estimate for 677 Buena Rd
We cannot show automated home-value estimates for this home.
Nearby homes have recently sold between $1,350,000 and $2,550,000.
Nearby comparable homes
The Redfin Estimate uses 6 recent nearby sales, priced between $1.4M to $2.5M.