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LUXESQUIRE

Lake Forest
The North Shore's undisputed pinnacle.

THE NEIGHBORHOOD STORY

Lake Forest is the North Shore's definitive statement — a city of 19,000 whose combination of Frederick Law Olmsted-influenced street planning, extraordinary architectural heritage, direct Lake Michigan access, and sustained community investment has produced what many consider the finest residential community in the Midwest. Market Square — a National Historic Landmark built in 1916 — is the most elegant commercial district in the metropolitan area. The ravines, forest preserves, and lakefront create a natural setting of remarkable beauty. And Lake Forest College and the Gorton Community Center anchor a cultural infrastructure that punches far above the community's population.

WHY RESIDENTS LOVE IT

•   Market Square — the 1916National Historic Landmark shopping district is the most beautiful downtown onthe North Shore.

•   Natural landscape —ravines, forest preserves, and Lake Michigan create a setting of extraordinarynatural drama.

•   Lake Forest Academy andLake Forest High School — elite educational options at both the private andpublic levels.

•   Metra Union PacificNorth Line — direct downtown service in approximately 55 minutes.

•   Architectural heritage —Frank Lloyd Wright, Howard Van Doren Shaw, and other significant architectsworked in Lake Forest.

•   Permanence of quality —Lake Forest has maintained its standard of excellence for over a century.

HOMES & ARCHITECTURE

Lake Forest's architecture is the North Shore's gold standard. The ravine estates — dramatic properties sited above the natural ravine system with lake views — represent some of the finest residential real estate in America. The historic neighborhoods near Market Square contain early 20th-century homes by nationally significant architects. Georgian, Tudor, and Colonial estates on generous lots with mature landscaping define the core residential character.

PROPERTY TYPES AT A GLANCE

Property Type Description
Ravine Estates The Lake Forest signature — dramatic properties above the ravine system, often with lake views and extraordinary natural settings.
Historic Landmark Homes Architecturally significant properties, many by notable architects, in the neighborhoods surrounding Market Square.
Georgian & Colonial Estates Formal architecture on large, landscaped lots — the traditional Lake Forest residential form.
Lakefront Properties Exceptionally rare — direct Lake Michigan access on the city's eastern bluffs.

POCKETS & DISTRICTS

Pocket / District Character & Vibe
Ravine Estates The Lake Forest signature — dramatic properties above the ravine system, often with lake views and extraordinary natural settings.
Historic Landmark Homes Architecturally significant properties, many by notable architects, in the neighborhoods surrounding Market Square.
Georgian & Colonial Estates Formal architecture on large, landscaped lots — the traditional Lake Forest residential form.
Lakefront Properties Exceptionally rare — direct Lake Michigan access on the city's eastern bluffs.

HOW TO MOVE AROUND

Metra UP North Line serves Lake Forest and Deerpath stations. US Route 41 and I-94 provide road access. Driving is primary within the community. Local Tip: Lake Forest's train stations are genuinely beautiful historic structures — arriving and departing here is an aesthetic experience that other commuter communities cannot match.

DINING & NIGHTLIFE

Fine Dining

•   Deer Path Inn — Historic English Tudor inn with a dining room thathas served Lake Forest's social calendar for a century

•   Inovasi — Inventive American cuisine from a JamesBeard-nominated chef — a regional dining destination

Casual & Neighborhood Favorites

•   Market Square dining — The historic district's restaurants and cafes servethe community in a setting that is architecturally extraordinary

•   Egg Harbor Cafe — North Shore breakfast institution with a LakeForest outpost

Late Night

•   Community club dining — Lake Forest's after-hours social life gravitatestoward the city's private clubs and member organizations

GREEN SPACE & OUTDOORS

•   Lake Forest Beach — The city's lakefront park and beach — a spectacularLake Michigan amenity maintained to the highest standard

•   Lake County ForestPreserves — Thousands of acres ofpreserved natural land adjacent to and within the community

•   Ravine Trail System — An extensive network of natural trails through thecity's ravine system — unique to Lake Forest's topography

Lake Forest Signature Listings

For Sele

$2,500,000

654 Ocean Dr, Miami, FL 33101

4 BA
5 BD
MLS# 345678
Explore All Lincoln Park Homes
Active Under Contract

$950,000

321 Trendy Blvd, Chicago, IL 60601

1 BA
1 BD
MLS# 210987
Explore All Lincoln Park Homes
Active Under Contract

$450,000

789 Rustic Rd, Austin, TX 73301

1 BA
2 BD
MLS# 789012
Explore All Lincoln Park Homes
Active Under Contract

$850,000

456 Elegant Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90001

3 BA
4 BD
MLS# 654321
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For Sale

$1,200,000

123 Luxury St, New York, NY 10001

2 BA
3 BD
MLS# 123456
Explore All Lincoln Park Homes

Lifestyle & Points of Interest

01
Dining
02
Coffee
03
Grocery
04
Bars / Nightlife
05
Fitness
06
Parks
08
Schools
07
Dog Parks
09
Hospitals
10
Transit
Dining
Coffee
Grocery
Bars / Nightlife
Fitness
Parks
Schools
Dog Parks
Hospitals
Transit

EDUCATION LANDSCAPE

School Type Grades Notes
Lake Forest School District 67 Public PK-8 Highly rated elementary district — among the best in Lake County
Lake Forest High School District 115 Public 9-12 Nationally recognized comprehensive high school with exceptional outcomes
Lake Forest Academy Private 9-12 One of the nation's most distinguished boarding and day schools — internationally recognized
High School
Mixed Schools
type
Name
Category
Grades
School rating
Intrinsic 2 Charter High School
79 W Monroe St Ste 400, Chicago, IL, 60603
PUBLIC
9th - 12th
1/5
Intrinsic 2 Charter High School
79 W Monroe St Ste 400, Chicago, IL, 60603
Private
9th - 12th
1/5
Intrinsic 2 Charter High School
79 W Monroe St Ste 400, Chicago, IL, 60603
PUBLIC
9th - 12th
1/5
type
Name
Category
Grades
School rating
Intrinsic 2 Charter High School
79 W Monroe St Ste 400, Chicago, IL, 60603
PUBLIC
9th - 12th
1/5
Intrinsic 2 Charter High School
79 W Monroe St Ste 400, Chicago, IL, 60603
PUBLIC
9th - 12th
1/5

WHO LIVES HERE

Population Median Age Avg. Household Income
19,200 46 $248,000
Population Density Gender Split Education
Low 47% Male / 53% Female 78% Bachelor's or higher
High School
Mixed Schools
type
Name
Category
Grades
School rating
Intrinsic 2 Charter High School
79 W Monroe St Ste 400, Chicago, IL, 60603
PUBLIC
9th - 12th
1/5
Intrinsic 2 Charter High School
79 W Monroe St Ste 400, Chicago, IL, 60603
Private
9th - 12th
1/5
Intrinsic 2 Charter High School
79 W Monroe St Ste 400, Chicago, IL, 60603
PUBLIC
9th - 12th
1/5
type
Name
Category
Grades
School rating
Intrinsic 2 Charter High School
79 W Monroe St Ste 400, Chicago, IL, 60603
PUBLIC
9th - 12th
1/5
Intrinsic 2 Charter High School
79 W Monroe St Ste 400, Chicago, IL, 60603
PUBLIC
9th - 12th
1/5

WALKABILITY & ACCESS SCORES

46
Walk
Walk Score
48
Bike
Bike Score
32
Transit
Transit Score

THE LUXESQUIRE INSIDER TAKE

Lake Forest is the conversation every serious North Shore buyer should have — not because it is the right answer for everyone, but because understanding why it commands the premium it does clarifies the value equation for every other community on the shore. The ravine estates alone justify the trip north.

Get in Touch

Have questions or want to book a tour? Contact us today and our team will guide you every step of the way.

Contact Us

A Chicago luxury real estate brokerage guided by Realtor-Lawyers.

Strategic. Discreet. White-Glove.

Contact

122 S Michigan Ave, Suite 1390
Chicago, IL 60603

Phone:

312.912.7262

Fax:

312.912.7255

Email:

info@luxesquire.com
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