Coldwell Banker Home Page

Local Realty Service Provided By: Coldwell Banker Gladstone, Realtors

Property view
Listing view 2
Listing view 3

25185 Shagbark Road, 
Mettawa, IL 60045

$8,995,000


6

Beds


11

Baths


11,036

Sq Ft


Single Family

Active

Listed by

Kimberly Shortsle

, 

Carleigh Mia Goldsberry

Jameson Sotheby'S International Realty

Last updated:

August 7, 2026, 11:19 AM

MLS#

12677337

Source:

MLSNI

About This Home

25185 Shagbark Road

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.

Home Facts

Single Family

11 Baths

6 Bedrooms

Built in 1938

Price Summary

8,995,000

$815 per Sq. Ft.

MLS #:

12677337

Last Updated:

August 7, 2026, 11:19 AM


Rooms & Interior

Bedrooms

Total Bedrooms:

6

Bathrooms

Total Bathrooms:

11

Full Bathrooms:

8

Interior

Living Area:

11,036 Sq. Ft.


Structure

Structure

Architectural Style:

Traditional

Building Area:

11,036 Sq. Ft.

Year Built:

1938


Lot

Lot Size (Sq. Ft):

483,080


Finances & Disclosures

Finances

Price:

$8,995,000

Price per Sq. Ft:

$815 per Sq. Ft.

MLS Logo
Copyright 2026 Midwest Real Estate Data LLC. All rights reserved. The data relating to real estate for sale on this web site comes in part from the Broker Reciprocity Program of the Midwest Real Estate Data LLC. Listing information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

Contact an Agent

Yes, I would like more information. Please use and/or share my information with a Coldwell Banker ® affiliated agent to contact me about my real estate needs. By clicking Contact, I request to be contacted by phone or text message and consent to being contacted by automated means. I understand that my consent to receive calls or texts is not a condition of purchasing any property, goods, or services. Alternatively, I understand that I can access real estate services by email or I can contact the agent myself.

If a Coldwell Banker affiliated agent is not available in the area where I need assistance, I agree to be contacted by a real estate agent affiliated with another brand owned or licensed by Anywhere Real Estate (BHGRE®, CENTURY 21®, Corcoran®, ERA®, or Sotheby's International Realty®). I acknowledge that I have read and agree to the terms of use and privacy notice.

Contact an Agent

Yes, I would like more information. Please use and/or share my information with a Coldwell Banker ® affiliated agent to contact me about my real estate needs. By clicking Contact, I request to be contacted by phone or text message and consent to being contacted by automated means. I understand that my consent to receive calls or texts is not a condition of purchasing any property, goods, or services. Alternatively, I understand that I can access real estate services by email or I can contact the agent myself.

If a Coldwell Banker affiliated agent is not available in the area where I need assistance, I agree to be contacted by a real estate agent affiliated with another brand owned or licensed by Anywhere Real Estate (BHGRE®, CENTURY 21®, Corcoran®, ERA®, or Sotheby's International Realty®). I acknowledge that I have read and agree to the terms of use and privacy notice.