09-07-2025
Kenilworth mansion listed for $15M, becoming the highest-priced listing in that village's history
An historic six-bedroom Colonial Revival-style mansion on Lake Michigan in Kenilworth was listed on Wednesday for $15 million, making it the north suburban village's highest-priced listing in history.
Builder Paul Starrett, who constructed the Empire State Building in New York and the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., built the three-story, 7,341-square-foot lakefront mansion in Kenilworth in 1906. Owner Yoanna Kulas, who is the founder and owner of the design firm Caladrius Studio, bought the mansion for $4.5 million in 2020 and initiated a top-to-bottom renovation, working with architect Michael Abraham and Mick De Giulio, who oversaw the interior architecture and designs.
In an interview, Kulas told Elite Street that the mansion is a 'treasure from a bygone era,' and that she wanted to honor the mansion's legacy by preserving its historic architecture while keeping it relevant as a high-tech, smart home. So Kulas restored the facade and updated the kitchen, which is now minimalist with discreetly concealed appliances. The mansion also has six full bathrooms, two half baths, two fireplaces, restored original moldings, oak sawn floors, custom wrought-iron railings, millwork, new mechanical systems, a new roof, new windows, a smart home system, custom LED lighting and zoned climate control.
The mansion also has a primary bedroom suite with a spa-like bathroom with an oversized tub, and a custom-designed wardrobe room with custom leather accents and inserts. The lower level has a wine cellar, a theater with surround sound, a catering kitchen and a wellness area containing a sauna, a steam room, an exercise area and a massage room.
Outside on the half-acre property are a 115-foot sandy beach, a fire pit area, a glass-enclosed patio, a boathouse and multiple terraces.
'The first time I saw this property, I fell I love with the architecture and the beautiful views most of all — the unobstructed vistas and views,' Kulas told Elite Street. 'When I started to think about it, this house has survived so many years and so many things. Clearly, it needed some love. So we opened the walls and opened the views to bring as much light as possible. The (home) was a little darker, so I opened the wall, installed the biggest possible windows. Honestly, the beauty of this home — whenever I am here, I see gorgeous views of the lake, the trees and the vintage planters. I love history and old buildings.'
Listing agent Jena Radnay of @properties Christie's International Real Estate told Elite Street that her client 'approached every detail with deep respect for the home's legacy, the community and her neighbors.'
'It would have been easier to start from scratch with new construction — as many do with older North Shore homes — but she chose to preserve a piece of Kenilworth history.'
Kenilworth's highest sale price on record is the $11.75 million sale of a Sheridan Road mansion in 2020.
