A Century in the Making: Lakeview Mansion Changes Hands After 94 Years

Lakeview Legacy: Century-Old Howard Van Doren Shaw Estate Changes Hands

Reading time: 3 min · 620 words

Credit: Original reporting from Crain’s Chicago Business

Some homes sell; some pass quietly from one family to the next for generations. And then there are the rare ones that define a neighborhood’s soul. This Lakeview mansion on Wellington Avenue, designed by legendary architect Howard Van Doren Shaw, just closed for the first time in 94 years — a moment that speaks to Chicago’s enduring architectural pedigree and the current state of our luxury market.

History & pedigree

Shaw, one of Chicago’s great early 20th-century architects, left a mark that still defines our most admired blocks. Completed in 1918, the home was acquired in 1931 by Marguerite DeLany Hark’s family, who kept it for nearly a century. That longevity matters: homes like this aren’t just structures; they’re cultural artifacts — time capsules of Chicago’s evolution from the golden age of department store fortunes to today’s globally connected city.

Even the home’s plan whispers its past. The kitchen remains on the first floor, a clear nod to a time when live-in staff orchestrated household life from a separate wing. What was once an advantage may be seen as a lifestyle quirk today, but it’s part of the property’s authentic charm.

The sale and the market signal

The estate closed on September 30, 2025, at $3.4 million, roughly 68% of its original asking price of just under $ 5 million when listed in June 2024. That delta is telling: legacy homes are extraordinary but must still meet today’s buyer expectations. Layouts and modernization play a role in pricing — yet the successful sale proves that even in a nuanced market, properly positioned Chicago estates do sell.

For buyers, it’s proof that history doesn’t mean compromise; it means stewardship. For sellers, it’s a reminder that storytelling and strategic marketing can sell individual properties, even when lifestyle adjustments may be necessary.

Why this matters now

• Scarcity drives desire. There are a few untouched estates of this scale and provenance left in Lakeview.

• Modernity vs. authenticity. Buyers appreciate historic gravitas but weigh it against today’s functional living — and price accordingly.

• Resilience in luxury. Despite selective demand and national narratives of softening high-end markets, Chicago’s heritage homes retain global appeal when brought forward thoughtfully.

And perhaps most importantly, this home will remain a “home.” In a climate where redevelopment is often the fate of historic properties, seeing one remain intact is a good sign for Chicago’s architectural soul.

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