| |
Significance: One of
the oldest homes in Highland Park, the Cornelius Field House was built in
1875 by Highland Park’s second mayor – a prominent local banker,
businessman, and an original stockholder in the Highland Park Building
Company. While the architect is unknown, the house exhibits exceptional
Second Empire and Victorian Gothic Revival detailing, a delicate porte
cochere, and finely crafted interior woodwork. The property is surrounded by
an original decorative wrought iron fence and contains the original
gardener’s home and coach house.
Current Condition and/or
Status: The Field House is on a four acre lot and is separated from Lake
Michigan by a lakefront city park, giving it unprecedented lakefront views. Listed for
$3.59 million, the house has been for sale for four months.
Potential Threat: While
the entire four acre property is designated as a Highland Park landmark,
many inquiries to date have been in regards to demolition and dividing the
property into three lots due to its size and desirable location overlooking
the lake and Central Park. Some residents fear that if the property does not
sell, the owner will seek demolition approval from the city. In two past
instances, the city of Highland Park’s City Council approved demolition of
locally landmarked properties. The property is also in the Linden Park
Place/Belle Avenue National Register Historic District, which would provide
financial incentives but no legal protection.
What You Can Do: Urge
Highland Park officials to keep the property’s landmark protection in place.
Other Contacts: Interested buyers should contact:
-
Hilde Wheeler Carter, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage: (847)
533-4533; or
-
Blanche Egan Romey, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage: (847) 209-6106
Photos: 1-6 Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
|
|
