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US District Court
Judge Ruben Castillo approved the sale of the Becker-Segal Estate in
Highland Park to developer Orren Pickell on October 31, 2006, who plans to develop this historic 17
acre property consistent with preservation standards worked out with a group of
preservationists led by Landmarks Illinois
and the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Landmarks Illinois and the National Trust objected to the sale in US District
Court in a hearing in late September based on the claim of non-compliance with
Sections 106 and 110 of the National Historic Preservation Act, which mandates
that a review of the project be conducted when there is an adverse effect to a
National Register property that is involved in a federal undertaking. The entire
17 acre estate, including a main house and gatehouse designed by architect
Howard Van Doren Shaw, with landscaping designed by the renowned landscape
architect Jens Jensen, was listed on the National Register in 1984.
The Becker-Segal Estate was seized by the US Marshall’s office (Department of
Justice) when insurance mogul Mickey Segal was arrested and indicted nearly two
years ago on fraud charges. The property has been on the market since that time,
with developer Orren Pickell as the only serious bidder for the 17 acre parcel.
On October 15th, Landmarks Illinois brought together a group of preservation
architects and Jens Jensen experts to begin a review of Pickell’s plans for
development of the property, in order to insure that the Howard Van Doren Shaw
structures and the Jens Jensen landscaping would be preserved in conjunction
with the development scheme. On October 26th, Pickell and the preservationists
signed an agreement that established a sensitive and compatible plan for
development of the property, and as of the hearing today, preservationists
removed their objection to the sale.
The preservation plan dictates that the main house and the gatehouse will be
rehabilitated as residences, and additional residences be built on the property
in a way that will not negatively impact the Jens Jensen landscaping. In
addition, a conservation easement on the property (including buildings and
landscaping) will be conveyed to Landmarks Illinois, an architectural review
committee that includes architect representatives from Landmarks Illinois and
the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency will be established, public access to
the property will be granted, and Pickell and the preservationists have agreed
to assist the Highland Park Landmarks Commission in its plan to landmark the
property. The proposed plan will also be subject to Highland Park’s own
regulatory review and approval process.
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Becker-Segal Estate, Highland Park
Becker-Segal Estate, Highland Park
Foot path —
Becker-Segal Estate
Stepping stones — Becker-Segal Estate
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