1421 Lake Road | Lake Forest

1421 LAKE ROAD

LAKE FOREST, ILLINOIS



Set atop a picturesque bluff, is this distinctive South African Dutch style home, designed in 1928 by architect David
Adler, as a summer home for Phoebe and Richard Bentley. A Dutch tile plaque by the front door simply captures the
home’s ethos: “Het Huis aan Het Meer” - in English “The House on The Lake.”

From the circular drive at the end of a private wooded lane, one approaches the home via a captivating bluestone
entrance loggia and formal gardens. The welcoming central entrance hall features blue-green hard-hewn floor tiles
laid in a herringbone pattern, reminiscent of the lake’s colors. The gently turned bent wood staircase is one of Adler’s
signature elements that emphasizes the beauty of this informal home, consistent with its natural surroundings.
Since purchasing the home in 1998, the current owners have done extensive “in the style” modernization. The
handsome formal living room with wood-beamed ceiling has wide-planked pegged-wood floors, detailed custom
bookcases and an impressive gas fireplace with marble surround and wood mantle. Admire the expansive lake views
from here or step into the appealing solarium (originally referred to as a playroom) which was added by Ambrose
Cramer in 1938 (an adaption of Adler’s original conception). In 2002, this room was renovated with new slate floors,
custom built-ins and lighting. Enjoy nature in all of its seasons thanks to the walls of windows and glass doors on
three sides.

The family room has a large bay window overlooking the lake and provides another walkout to the rear terrace. Its
vaulted white ceiling and original Delft tiles that surround the fireplace is perhaps the most Dutch-like space in the
home. The newly renovated kitchen and butler’s pantry beautifully integrate vintage details and modern
conveniences.

The library-like second floor landing has magnificent built-in book cases and a romantic window seat overlooking the
rear yard and lake. The master suite is both charming and spacious with a cozy fireplace and lake views. Recently, it
was significantly transformed with the addition of a second full bath and the repurposing of an adjacent room to
create a fabulous walk-in closet and dressing room. Four more well-proportioned bedrooms each have a great
combination of architectural interest and current amenities. Two have en suite baths; two share a new bath. Don’t
miss the screened sleeping porch with its lake views and breezes!

The third floor was finished in 1999 and now boasts a vaulted-ceiling bedroom with separate entertainment room
and full bath—a great space for guests, teens, or live-in help. The basement, though unfinished, houses a cherry
laundry room, workshop, mechanicals, and tons of storage. There is room for a wine cellar, if desired.

In addition to the professionally landscaped grounds, 200 feet of private sandy beach may be accessed from a
winding set of custom-crafted concrete stairs. The rear bluestone terrace is an enviable spot to relax or entertain
friends. With its masterful architecture, thoughtful updates, and outstanding setting, 1421 Lake Road offers the very
best of lakefront living, and the very best of David Adler’s incomparable legacy.

Welcome home!

1421LakeRd.koenigrubloff.com





1421 Lake Road | Lake Forest

SIGNIFICANT RECENT IMPROVEMENTS AND FEATURES

■ Three-car detached garage with upstairs LOGGIA SOLARIUM
windowed attic was added off the
circular drive in the 1980’s, to ■ Beautiful entry with barrel ceiling and ■ Added in 1938, designed by Ambrose
supplement the attached heated bluestone walkway. Cramer, overseen by David Adler.
one-car garage that was created from
maids’ rooms. ■ Original Adler benches stay with the ■ Completely renovated in 2002 with
home and are in many historical photos. slate floor, fireplace, moldings and
■ New electrical box in 1999 with 400 amps. lighting.
■ Plaque adjacent to front door “Het Huis
■ New cedar shake roof installed in 2001. aan Het Meer” translates to “The House ■ Gas logs in fireplace.
on The Lake.”
■ New copper gutters installed in 2002. ■ East, South and West exposures.
■ Original front garden designed by
■ New AO Smith Pro-Max Plus water Francis Elkins. ■ Garden vestibule with water, drain and
heater installed in 2006 with automatic southern exposure.
temperature regulators. FOYER
■ Circular art deco stair to 2nd floor master
■ Weil-McLain Boiler ■ Herringbone brick pattern tile distinctive suite.
of Adler designs. Blue inspired by the
■ Generac generator color of Lake Michigan. ■ Additional dining area.

■ Master bedroom walk-in closet created ■ View through to Lake Michigan. FAMILY ROOM
in 2014.
■ Bent wood staircase is signature Adler! ■ Dutch Delft tiles surrounding fireplace
■ Second master bath added in 2014, also and baseboard.
with upgrades to existing master bath. COAT ROOM/POWDER ROOM/
Both with heated floors. MUD ROOM ■ Arched ceiling with bay window.

■ Fenced dog run. ■ Original terracotta Dutch-inspired floor. ■ East and South exposures.

■ SpacePak air conditioning on 2nd and 3rd ■ Original maid’s quarters reconfigured to ■ Gas log fireplace with new chimney
floors. 1st floor cools by the running of accommodate garage and powder room liner.
2nd floor AC or lake breezes. (sconces in powder room excluded from
sale). ■ Original buzzer to kitchen in center of
■ Advanced Keyth security system floor.
updated in 2016 with infrared, wired GARAGE/DRIVEWAY
doors, battery back-ups. Integrated ■ Original David Adler sconces (stay with
smoke and alarm systems. Complete ■ New door system in 2003, mechanicals home).
perimeter cameras. upgraded in 2016
BUTLER’S PANTRY
■ Three staircases to second floor, one ■ Heated and with water faucets.
staircase to third floor, one interior ■ Original silver sink with Waterworks
staircase to basement and one exterior ■ Electric car charger faucet.
staircase to basement.
■ New driveway October 2016 ■ Original hardware refurbished.

LIVING ROOM ■ Original scones.

■ Fireplace with Dutch backsplash ■ North exposure.
(purchased by David Adler in Holland).

■ Chimney rebuilt in 2016.

■ East and West exposures.

■ Pegged wood floors.

KITCHEN BACK HALL 3RD FLOOR

■ Completely redone in 1999, then ■ Service closet with sink. ■ Originally an attic; renovated in 2000.
updated again in 2014. ■ Built-in linen storage, laundry chute to ■ Bedroom #6 with closets and built-in desk.
■ North and East exposures with
■ Miele dishwasher, Wolf range, SubZero basement, dumbwaiter, access to
Refrigerator/freezer. sleeping porch. exceptional lake views!
■ Cedar Closet.
■ Carrara marble countertops. BEDROOM #3 ■ Beautifully tiled bathroom with shower.
■ Additional closet storage in hallway.
■ Walk-in pantry. ■ Gas log fireplace that is identical to the ■ Family entertainment room/playroom
ballroom fireplace in David Adler’s
■ New sink and faucet. personal home in Libertyville, IL. with East exposure.
■ Separate heating/cooling units.
■ Under cabinet lighting. ■ Original sconces
■ Full bath with shower/tub, original 1ST FLOOR BACK HALL OFFICE &
■ East, West and North exposures. BEDROOM #7
medicine cabinet.
■ Screened service porch. ■ North exposure. ■ Originally part of maid’s quarters.
■ Walk-in closet. ■ Full tub/shower bathroom.
MASTER BEDROOM SUITE ■ Large locked closet.
WEST HALLWAY ■ North exposure
■ Beautiful sight lines in entry hall, lined
with storage closets. ■ Arched doorways with beautiful site lines. BASEMENT
■ Shelved closet.
■ Gas log fireplace. ■ Original fixtures. ■ 3-tub soapstone laundry sink.
■ Wine storage options.
■ Original Delft tiles in east bathroom BEDROOM #4 ■ Outside entrance.
around newer sink, tub and baseboards. ■ Gas hook-up for laundry.
Toto toilet. ■ Arched doorways. ■ Workshop cabinets.
■ South exposure. ■ Original lockers.
■ West bathroom is NEW (2014) with ■ New light fixtures. ■ Crawl space under solarium.
Carrara marble, shower, heated floors, ■ New bathroom in 1999 with access to 5th ■ “WC”
Toto toilet.
Bedroom/Playroom
■ Walk-in closet/sitting room part of the
1938 addition, converted in 2014. BEDROOM #5
Fabulous storage!
■ Original chalkboards,
■ East and West exposures. Enjoy lake ■ Window seat.
views from your bed! ■ Original sconces
■ South, West and North exposures.
BEDROOM #2 ■ Arched doorways

■ Built-in dresser and closets.

■ East and South exposures.

■ Detailed molding.

■ Full Tub/shower bathroom.

■ Original medicine cabinet and sink.

■ Original sconces in bedroom, hallway
and bathroom.

■ Access to sleeping porch from
bathroom.















2nd Floor









3rd Floor Guest Suite



Beautiful Gardens



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THIRD LEVEL



MONA HELLINGA

Luxury Collection Specialist

847.814.1855
[email protected]

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