Address
25185 Shagbark Road, Mettawa, IL
Price
$ 8,995,000
Property Attributes
- MLS#12677337
- TypeSingle Family
- Listing Status Active
- CountyLAKE
- CityMettawa
- AreaMettawa
- Zip60045
- StyleTraditional
- Year Built1938
- Taxes$ 50092
- Price$ 8,995,000
- Bedrooms6
- Full Bathrooms8
- Half Bathrooms3
- Sqr Footage11036
- Lot Size11.09 Acres
Data Source:
Midwest Real Estate Data (MRED)
Property Description
TAKES OUR BREATH AWAY! For agents representing discerning luxury buyers, Shagbark is the most extraordinary offering to come to the North Shore. Walter Frazier's celebrated 1938 architectural masterpiece, Shagbark, comes to market following a six-year, no-detail-overlooked re-mastery of the entire estate. Shagbark blends grand architecture and bygone craftsmanship with the efficiency and reliability of all new infrastructure and interiors. This isn't another beautiful Lake Forest Grand Dame who's seen better days, this is a breathtaking example of a renovation. Hidden in plain sight on 11 acres (3.5 acres of irrigated grounds buffered by 7.5 acres of tax incentivized native prairie), Shagbark encompasses 11,000 square feet of absolute perfection. The residence offers six bedrooms, eight full baths, and three half baths, including two primary suites, one on the main level. At the heart of the home is a bespoke Clive Christian kitchen featuring a fireplace, Baccarat chandeliers, a custom La Cornue Chateau Grand Palais 180 range, and Miele appliances. Every bed, bath and inch of space has been renovated and beautifully finished. Seven fireplaces (six have been renovated to dual fuel, gas or wood). Additional highlights include a 600-gallon saltwater aquarium, gift-wrap room, whole-property RO water system, resort-style pool, half basketball court, 28 zones of indoor and outdoor audio, and 18 wireless high speed access points. The interiors, designed by Joey Leicht Designs and JTM Creative, are extraordinary. Even more compelling, the estate is offered fully furnished with the curated collection of designer furniture from Ebanista, Holly Hunt, Dorya, Gracie, Baccarat, Ralph Lauren Home, Baker Furniture and other distinguished makers. The estate's major systems have been comprehensively modernized, including plumbing, electrical, and mechanical infrastructure. The renovated Ludowici clay tile roof will require little more than routine maintenance for decades to come. A former kennel has been transformed into a Canyon Ranch-inspired fitness center with spa bath/steam. A restored greenhouse connects to a sophisticated cigar lounge. Renowned landscape architect, John Mariani, reimagined the grounds with magnificent hardscapes, garden rooms, cutting gardens, and the addition of more than 200 mature trees, creating remarkable beauty and privacy. The approach itself is unforgettable. A half-mile driveway winds through mature woodlands before revealing the estate's gates. Forest & Bluff magazine (May 2026) described the arrival as "stepping into a fairytale." A stand of magnificent Century-old oak trees greets your arrival, as if to prepare you for the many jaw dropping moments that unfold at Shagbark. Shagbark's history is as compelling as its architecture. Originally built for James Rankin Getz and Betsy Needham Getz, prominent figures in Lake Forest social and philanthropic circles, the estate remained in the Getz family for more than sixty years. Getz was instrumental in the creation of the Village of Mettawa in 1960. Adjacent to Lake Forest, the Village of Mettawa's financial structure is the most coveted municipal set-up in Illinois, and one of its best-kept secrets. By living in The Village, you're in Illinois' sole tax haven (with access to the best public schools in the state). Mettawa operates like a private holding company on behalf of its 230 residences: collecting sales tax revenue from Lake Forest Oasis, Costco and Grainger, it then pays an annual cash dividend to its residents in the form of a real estate tax rebate-- $12,000 rebated to Shagbark in 2025. Illinois' Conservation Stewardship Program is in place on the prairie area, further reducing real estate taxes. Shagbark embodies extraordinary taste, elegance, and stewardship. A magnificent refuge meticulously reimagined for the next generation.
| Elementary School | Middle School | High School |
|---|---|---|
| Laura B Sprague School Elementary School | Daniel Wright Junior High School | Adlai E Stevenson High School |
| Price History | |
|---|---|
| 7/3/2026 | Listed $8,995,000 |
General Features
| Living Area | 11036 |
|---|---|
| Sewer | Public Sewer |
| Heating | Natural Gas,Forced Air,Zoned,Radiant Floor |
| Cooling | Central Air,Zoned |
| Possession | Closing |
| Roof | Tile |
| Appliances | Range,Microwave,Dishwasher,High End Refrigerator,Washer,Dryer,Disposal,Trash Compactor,Wine Refrigerator,Water Purifier Owned,Gas Oven,Range Hood |
| Garage Spaces | 3 |
| Association Fee Includes | None |
| Architectural Style | Traditional |
| Construction Materials | Brick |
| Year Built | 1938 |
| Electric | Service - 400 Amp or Greater |
| Township | Libertyville |
| Tax Year | 2024 |
| Ownership | Fee Simple |
| Community Features | Horse-Riding Trails,Gated |
| Assoc Fee Paid Per | Not Applicable |
| County | Lake |
| New Construction | No |
| Property Type | Residential |
| Possible Use | Horses |
| Other Structures | Greenhouse,Other,Pergola,Poultry Coop,Second Garage,Shed(s) |
| Total Rooms | 14 |
| Full Baths | 8 |
| Status | Active |
| Directions | Route 60/Kennedy Rd to Riverwoods Rd South Shagbark Rd Right to 25185. Follow the green signs that say 25185. |
| High School | Adlai E Stevenson High School |
| City | Mettawa |
| High School District | 125 |
| MLS Area | Mettawa |
| Elementary School | Laura B Sprague School |
| Tax Annual Amount | 50092 |
| Middle/Junior High School | Daniel Wright Junior High School |
| Standard Status | Active |
| Middle/Junior School District | 103 |
| Elementary School District | 103 |
| Property Type | Detached Single |
Interior Features
| Interior Amenities | Vaulted Ceiling(s),Wet Bar,1st Floor Bedroom,1st Floor Full Bath,Built-in Features,Walk-In Closet(s),Bookcases,Coffered Ceiling(s),Historic/Period Mlwk,Special Millwork,Cocktail Lounge,Separate Dinin |
|---|---|
| Basement | Unfinished,Exterior Entry,Concrete,Storage Space,Partial,Walk-Out Access |
| Flooring | Hardwood |
| Total Fireplaces | 6 |
| Fireplace Features | Wood Burning,Gas Log,Gas Starter,More than one |
| Half Baths | 3 |
| Laundry Features | Upper Level,Laundry Closet,Sink |
| Total Bedrooms | 6 |
| Room Type | Office,Great Room,Foyer,Sun Room,Bedroom 5,Bedroom 6,Sitting Room,Exercise Room,Other Room |
| LivingAreaSource | Assessor |
| Total Baths | 11 |
| Bedrooms Possible | 6 |
| Bathroom | Whirlpool,Separate Shower,Steam Shower,Double Sink,Soaking Tub |
Exterior Features
| Exterior Amenities | Roof Deck |
|---|---|
| Parking Features | Asphalt,Brick Driveway,Gravel,Circular Driveway,Garage Door Opener,Heated Garage,Garage,Yes,Garage Owned,Attached |
| Lot Features | Forest Preserve Adjacent,Nature Preserve Adjacent,Landscaped,Wooded,Mature Trees |
| Water Source | Well |
| Total Parking | 3 |
| Foundation Details | Concrete Perimeter |
| Lot Dimensions | 870x737x567x645 |
| Lot Size Acres | 11.09 |
| Waterfront Y/N | No |
Amenities
- Foreclosure
- Views
- Short Sale
- New Construction
- Adult 55+
- Lease To Own
- No HOA Fees
- Furnished
- Primary On Main
- Air Conditioning
- Seller Finance
- Green
- Fixer Upper
- Horse
- Golf
- Fireplace
- Deck
- Garage
- Basement
- Pool
Property vs Single Family Average in 60045
Price
Taxes
Year Built
Visits
Midwest Real Estate Data (MRED) All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. All properties are subject to prior sale, change or withdrawal. Neither listing broker(s) or information provider(s) shall be responsible for any typographical errors, misinformation, misprints and shall be held totally harmless. Listing(s) information is provided for consumer's personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing. The data relating to real estate for sale on this website comes in part from the Internet Data Exchange program of the Multiple Listing Service. Real estate listings held by brokerage firms other than Real People Realty may be marked with the Internet Data Exchange logo and detailed information about those properties will include the name of the listing broker(s) when required by the MLS. Copyright ©2026 All rights reserved.Based on information submitted to the MLS GRID as of September 2, 2026 1:11 PM UTC All data is obtained from various sources and may not have been verified by broker or MLS GRID. Supplied Open House Information is subject to change without notice.
Data is updated as of September 2, 2026 1:11 PM UTC
