The house carries more than a century of layered design history, beginning with Henry Ives Cobb, who built the limestone mansion for a Chicago real estate and zinc mining tycoon. Cobb’s architecture—complete with English walled gardens, a reflection pond, and a limestone-domed gazebo—set the stage for generations of family, and the city’s own history, to unfold across its 3.5 acres.
In 1935, the original owner’s philanthropist daughter enlisted architect David Adler and his sister, the beloved Chicago designer Frances Elkins, to renovate the interiors and add the gated pool and pool house.
For the designers behind this year's show house, the 15,000-square-foot, 30-room home proved the ultimate playground for their imaginations. Every room was a chance to re-envision contemporary grandeur while honoring Elkins and Adler’s legacy. Though the house was nearly entirely renovated, precious discoveries—like original millwork and wallpaper—became guiding details in the restoration, keeping the spirit of the original home alive for us all to enjoy.